how to clear browser cache

Content

Overview

In this article, you will learn how to clear browser cache. You can clear the cache from the Privacy or History area in the Settings or Options menu. However, here are the steps involved in clearing your browser cache for some of the most used browsers today – Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Internet Explorer.

Chrome

Clear Chrome's Cache (Desktop / PC)

Close any independent tabs that you have open.
Select the menu (three dots) at the top right of the browser.
Choose more tools, then select Clear browsing data and this will clear the cache.
Make sure that you check the box for only cached pictures and files. Otherwise, you might erase your browsing history, saved passwords, cookies, and more by mistake.

Alternatively, you can also use a hotkey combination: Ctrl + Shift + Del (or Cmd-Shift-Del on a Mac). Chrome will open a new tab with a popup titled Clear Browsing Data.

Clear cache on Chrome (mobile / tablet)

Close any independent tabs that you have open.
Open Chrome and choose the top right menu icon (three dots).
Go to Settings > Privacy.
Choose Clear Cache/Clear Browsing Data and this will clear the cache.

Firefox

Clear Firefox's Cache (Desktop / PC)

Close any independent tabs that you have open.
Choose History from the list, then clear recent history.
Make sure to select Cache under the details and choose to Wipe now, this will clear the cache.

Alternatively, you can also use a hotkey combination: Ctrl + Shift + Del (or Cmd-Shift-Del on a Mac). Chrome will open a new tab with a popup titled Clear Browsing Data.

Clear cache on Firefox (mobile / tablet)

Close any independent tabs that you have open
Open Firefox and select the menu button at the top right of the browser.
Go to Settings > Privacy.
Make sure to select Cache under Clear private data and choose Wipe now, this will clear the cache.

Safari

Clear Safari's Cache (Desktop / PC)

Clear browser cache for Safari, you have two options:

Close any independent tabs that you have open.
If you are okay with clearing your browsing history completely (including cookies and pages visited), you can take the easy approach and go to Safari → Clear History.
To only clear the Safari cache, you'll need to enable the Development menu by going to Preferences → Advanced and check the Show Development menu box in the Menu bar box.
You can go to Develop → Empty Caches to clear your Safari cache.

Clear cache on Safari (mobile / tablet)

Close any independent tabs that you have open.
Go to Settings > Safari.
Choose Clear History and Website Data.
Choose Clear History and Data and this will clear the cache.

Edge

Clear Edge's Cache (Desktop / PC)

Close any independent tabs that you have open
Click the three dots icon in the upper-left corner of the browser window.
Choose Clear all history, or choose the items you want to delete.
Choose Wipe and this will clear your cache.

Clear cache on Edge (mobile / tablet)

Close any independent tabs that you have open
Open your browser and select the “…” icon at the bottom right.
Go to Settings > Privacy.
Open Clear browsing data and make sure Cache is selected and choose Clear browsing data.

Internet Explorer

Clear Internet Explorer's Cache (Desktop / PC)

Close any independent tabs that you have open
Click on the Gear icon in the top right to access the Tools menu.
Find Security and select Delete Browsing History from the submenu.
Make sure to uncheck Preserve Favorite Website Data and Check Temporary Internet Files, then click the Delete button at the bottom.

You can also access the menu using the shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Del. Internet Explorer will open a popup. Make sure to check the Temporary Internet and Website files only box to avoid deleting important information.