How to Clear Your Browser Cache

Sometimes a website keeps showing an old version of a page, image or stylesheet. This usually happens because your browser has temporarily stored files in its cache. Clearing the browser cache forces the browser to download the latest files from the website.

This guide explains how to clear the cache in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, Brave and Samsung Internet.

Tip: If you only want to clear cached files, select only the option for cached images and files. Deleting cookies may sign you out of websites.

What is a browser cache?

A browser cache is temporary storage on your computer, phone or tablet. It stores images, CSS files, JavaScript files and other website resources so pages can load faster on your next visit.

Occasionally, an outdated file remains in the cache. A website may then look different from expected, or recent changes may not appear. Clearing the cache often resolves these issues.

When should you clear your browser cache?

Clearing the cache can help when:

• a website is not displayed correctly;
• you still see an old version of a website;
• images or page elements are missing;
• a website behaves strangely after an update;
• an error message keeps appearing;
• website changes are not visible; or
• your browser responds unusually slowly.

Try a hard refresh first. If that does not work, clear the browser cache completely.

Open the cache settings with a keyboard shortcut

Most browsers let you open the screen for deleting browsing data directly:

Windows and Linux: Ctrl + Shift + Delete
Mac: Command (⌘) + Shift + Delete

This shortcut works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera and Brave. Select only cached images and files if you want to keep cookies, saved passwords and other data.

Clear the cache in Google Chrome on Windows and Mac

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Select Delete browsing data. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
4. Choose All time if you want to remove the entire cache.
5. Select Cached images and files.
6. Leave Cookies and other site data cleared if you want to remain signed in.
7. Click Delete data.
8. Reload the website.

Clear the cache in Google Chrome on Android

1. Open the Chrome app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Select Delete browsing data.
4. Choose a time range. Select All time to clear everything.
5. Select Cached images and files.
6. Clear the other options if you want to keep your cookies.
7. Tap Delete data, then reopen the website.

Clear the cache in Google Chrome on iPhone and iPad

1. Open Chrome on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Open the three-dot menu.
3. Select Delete browsing data.
4. Choose the time range.
5. Make sure cached images and files are selected.
6. Delete the browsing data and reopen the website.

Deleting cookies may require you to sign in to websites again.

Clear the cache in Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
3. Open Privacy, search and services.
4. Under Clear browsing data, choose Choose what to clear.
5. Select All time as the time range if you want to clear the complete cache.
6. Select Cached images and files.
7. Leave cookies, passwords and other data cleared if you want to keep them.
8. Click Clear now.

You can also open this screen directly with Ctrl + Shift + Delete.

Clear the cache in Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox and click the menu button.
2. Select Settings, then open Privacy & Security.
3. Find the section for cookies, site data or browsing data.
4. Select Clear Data or Clear browsing data.
5. Choose Everything as the time range.
6. Select Temporary cached files and pages.
7. Leave cookies cleared if you want to remain signed in.
8. Click Clear.

Ctrl + Shift + Delete also opens Firefox's recent browsing data screen.

Clear the cache in Safari on a Mac

1. Open Safari.
2. In the menu bar, select Safari and then Settings.
3. Open the Privacy tab.
4. Click Manage Website Data.
5. Select a specific website or remove all website data.
6. Confirm the removal and reopen the website.

To remove Safari history and other browsing data as well, choose History > Clear History and select the required period. Removing website data may sign you out.

Clear the cache in Safari on iPhone and iPad

To remove Safari history, cookies and cache:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Go to Apps > Safari.
3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
4. Select a time range if available and confirm.

To remove only website data while keeping your history:

1. Open Settings > Apps > Safari.
2. Select Advanced > Website Data.
3. Tap Remove All Website Data and confirm.

Clear the cache in Opera

1. Open Opera and go to Settings.
2. Open Privacy and security.
3. Select Clear browsing data.
4. Choose All time if you want to clear the entire cache.
5. Select Cached images and files.
6. Leave cookies and other data cleared if you want to keep them.
7. Click Clear data.

You can also use Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows and Linux, or Command (⌘) + Shift + Delete on a Mac.

Clear the cache in Brave

1. Open Brave and click the menu in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings > Privacy and security.
3. Choose Delete browsing data.
4. Select the required time range and Cached images and files.
5. Leave other options cleared if you want to keep that data.
6. Click Delete data.

You can also open this screen with Ctrl + Shift + Delete.

Clear the cache in Samsung Internet

1. Open Samsung Internet.
2. Tap the menu with the three horizontal lines.
3. Open Settings.
4. Go to the section for personal browsing data or privacy.
5. Select the option to delete browsing data.
6. Select Cached images and files or Cache.
7. Leave cookies cleared if you want to remain signed in.
8. Confirm the removal.

The exact labels may vary slightly between Samsung Internet versions.

Clear the cache in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer is outdated and is no longer recommended as a regular browser. Use Microsoft Edge where possible.

1. Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon.
2. Select Safety > Delete browsing history.
3. Select Temporary Internet files and website files.
4. Click Delete.

For older business applications, Microsoft Edge's Internet Explorer mode is usually the better option.

Hard refresh a website without clearing the entire cache

Before clearing the full cache, try reloading the current page while bypassing cached files:

Windows and Linux: Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R
Mac: Command (⌘) + Shift + R

This works in many browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera. If the website still does not display correctly, clear the complete cache using the steps above.

Should I delete my cookies as well?

Usually not. If outdated cached files are causing the problem, clearing only the browser cache is enough. Cookies store session and preference information, so deleting them may sign you out of websites.

Delete cookies only if the website continues to malfunction after clearing the cache, for example when a login session or website setting no longer works correctly.

Will clearing the cache delete my passwords?

No. Saved passwords are normally retained when you select only Cached images and files, Cache or a similar option.

Always check the selected items before deleting browsing data. Do not select Passwords, Saved passwords or Autofill form data if you want to keep them.

Why do I still see the old website after clearing the cache?

1. Close the browser completely and restart it.
2. Open the website again and perform a hard refresh.
3. Check the page in a private or incognito window.
4. Test the website in another browser.
5. Check whether a browser extension affects the page.
6. If necessary, delete the cookies and website data for that website only.

If several devices show the same old version, the website itself or a CDN or server cache may be responsible. Clearing your local browser cache again will then usually have no effect.