How to Clear Your Browser’s Cache

When you view a web page in your browser, the web page and its files are stored (cached) in your browser to make the page load quickly when you access that page in the future. If you’ve previously viewed a web page and then visit that page again, you may be seeing a “cached” version of a web page – an “out of date” version of that page.

Clearing out your web browser’s cache does not damage any information stored in a browser, such as bookmarks or your homepage. Instead, it simply makes the web browser think that you have not visited a webpage before.

Don’t know which browser you’re using? Use this tool to find out.

Google Chrome

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Google Chrome.

1. Open the Chrome menu, then click Clear browsing data.
2. Select the Cached images and files checkboxes, then click the Clear browsing data button.
3. Reload the web page you want to view.

Chrome for Android

To clear the web browser’s cache when using the default browser on an Android device:

1. Touch Chrome menu > Settings.
2. Touch (Advanced) Privacy.
3. Touch Clear browsing data.
4. Reload the web page you want to view.

Internet Explorer

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Internet Explorer 8 or above:

1. At the top of the page, click the Safety menu, then select Delete Browsing History from the list.
2. Uncheck all boxes.
3. Check the box for Temporary Internet files.
4. Click Delete.
5. Reload the web page you want to view.

Mozilla Firefox 

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Mozilla Firefox:

1. At the top of the page, click the Tools menu, then select History from the list.
2. From the Time range to clear dropdown menu, select Everything.
3. Click the arrow symbol next to Details to open a list of options.
4. Uncheck the boxes for Browsing & Download History, Cookies, and Active Logins.
5. Ensure that the box for Cache is checked.
6. Reload the web page you want to view.

Safari

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Safari.

1. At the top of the page, click the Safari > Preferences > Advanced. Select the Show Develop menu in menu bar checkbox (if not already selected).
2. From the browser menu, click Develop > Empty Caches.
3. Reload the web page you want to view.

Mobile Safari

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Safari on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch:

1. At the home screen, tap Settings.
2. Tap Safari.
3. Tap the button for Clear Cache.
4. Tap Clear Cache again to confirm.
5. Reload the web page you want to view.

Microsoft Edge

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Microsoft Edge.

1. Click on the menu.
2. Click on Settings.
3. Under Clear browsing data, click on Choose what to clear.
4. Check the box next to Cached data and files.
5. Click on Clear.
6. Reload the web page you want to view.

About the Author

Matt Chiera

Matt Chiera is Founder & Principal Consultant at Ice Nine Online. Since forming the company in 2014, he’s helped Ice Nine Online’s clients generate millions of dollars in revenue from digital marketing. Matt taught digital marketing strategy and tactics at the Tribeca School’s Digital Professional Institute. Matt’s book “Digital Marketers Sound Off” has been ranked as the #1 book in the Web Marketing category on Amazon.