Clear Browser Cache & Cookies

Issue/Question

  • How do I clear my browser's cache & cookies?

Resolution

As you browse the internet, the browser you're using collects and saves information from websites and your use of them in order to smooth the experience of future browsing. Sometimes, however, this can cause issues when website updates and other changes happen. Clearing the cache and cookies from a web browser is an important first-step for any troubleshooting for internet browsing.

Keyboard Shortcut for Most Browsers

If you are using Internet Explorer, Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox you can quickly clear cache with a keyboard shortcut. While in your browser, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete simultaneously on the keyboard to open the appropriate window.

IMPORTANT: Be sure and close/quit the browser and restart it after clearing the cache and cookies.

Below are step-by-step instructions for clearing out your cache & cookies on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.

Google Chrome

  1. First, log out of Chrome if you are logged in with a profile by clicking the person icon and selecting Sign Out:
  2. Click the Tools menu (three dots in the upper-right corner).
  3. Select Clear Browsing Data from the left-hand side. Set the Time range to All time. Make sure all 3 boxes are checked and click Clear data.
  4. If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Chrome to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Chrome menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click on the Tools bar.
  2. Click on Options (On Mac, it's labeled Preferences).

    Options menu highlighted after choosing Open menu button in Mozilla Firefox

  3. On the menu to the left, select Privacy & Security.
  4. Under the Cookies and Site Data option, click the "Clear Data..." button.

    Cookies and Site data menu in Mozilla Firefox


     
  5. Select only the two options and hit clear now.

    Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content both selected to be cleared in Mozilla Firefox


     
  6. If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Firefox to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Firefox menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner), and open the Settings menu.

    Settings menu highlighted in Settings and more (Alt + F4) menu in Microsoft Edge


     
  2. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left-side menu.
  3. Under the section Clear browsing data, Click Choose what to clear.

    Clear browsing data menu in Microsoft Edge with Choose what to clear button


     
  4. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. You can leave all other boxes un-checked.
  5. Click Clear Now.

    Clear browsing dat amenu in Microsoft Edge with All time, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files selected


     
  6. Close Microsoft Edge completely for your changes to take effect.

Safari for macOS

  1. Click on Safari on the top menu bar.
  2. Click Preferences.

    Preferences menu highlighted in Safari menu along top of macOS


     
  3. Click the Privacy tab.
  4. Click Manage Website Data...

    Manage Website Data... button highlited in Safari Privacy menu in macOS

  5. Click Remove All.
  6. Click Remove Now.

    Prompt to Remove Now after selecting Remove All in Safari Privacy menu in macOS


     
  7. Go to the Safari menu on the top menu bar.
  8. Select Quit to close Safari and save your changes.

 

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