What cache and cookies do, and why you might clear them
Cache is a folder on your computer where your browser stores copies of images, videos, and other files from websites you visit. The next time you go to that site, your browser loads the stored copy instead of downloading it again — this makes pages load faster. Cookies are small text files that websites save to remember things about you: your login information, items in your shopping cart, your language preference, or which ads you have seen.
Over time, cache builds up and takes disk space. Cookies can accumulate too, and some people clear them for privacy reasons — to remove the record that you visited a site, or to force a website to forget your login so you start fresh. Clearing cache can also fix a website that looks broken or loads incorrectly, because you are forcing your browser to download the current version instead of showing you an outdated stored copy.
You do not need to clear cache and cookies often. Most people do it once or twice a year, or when a specific problem happens. Clearing them will log you out of most websites, so be ready to sign back in.
Key Takeaways
- Cache stores website files to make pages load faster; cookies store login information and your browsing preferences.
- Clearing cache frees up disk space and fixes websites that display incorrectly or load outdated content.
- The steps to clear cache and cookies differ by browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge each have their own menu path.
- You will be logged out of most websites after clearing cookies, so plan to sign back in with your passwords.
- You can set your browser to clear cache and cookies automatically when you close it, if you prefer not to do it manually.
How to clear cache and cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up. At the top, you will see a dropdown that says All time — this controls how far back to delete. Leave it on All time unless you only want to clear recent data. Make sure the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files are checked. Uncheck anything else you do not want to delete. Click the blue Clear data button.
Chrome will clear the data and close the window. You are done. The next time you visit a website, you will need to sign in again.
How to clear cache and cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Click Settings. On the left, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the section called Cookies and Site Data. Click the red button that says Clear Data.
A small window appears. Make sure both Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content are checked. Click Clear. Firefox will delete the data immediately.
How to clear cache and cookies in Safari
Open Safari. At the top of the screen, click Safari in the menu bar (not inside the browser window — in the very top menu of your Mac). Click Settings. Click the Privacy tab. Click the button that says Manage Website Data.
A list of websites appears. Click Remove All at the bottom right. Safari will ask you to confirm — click Remove Now. This clears both cookies and cached data at once.
How to clear cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Click Settings. On the left, click Privacy, search, and services. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
A window opens. At the top, select All time from the dropdown. Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Click the blue Clear now button.
Set your browser to clear cache automatically
If you want your browser to clear cache and cookies every time you close it, you can turn on automatic clearing. This means you will be logged out of websites each time you restart your browser, but your browsing history will not build up over time.
In Chrome: Go to Settings, click Privacy and security, then turn on Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. In Firefox: Go to Settings, click Privacy & Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data, and check the box for Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. In Safari: Go to Settings, click Privacy, and check Remove all website data when quitting Safari. In Edge: Go to Settings, click Privacy, search, and services, and turn on Clear browsing data under Clear browsing data.
What happens after you clear cache and cookies
Websites will load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing cache, because your browser has to download all the files again instead of using stored copies. This slowdown is temporary and usually not noticeable. After a few visits, your cache will rebuild and pages will load at normal speed again.
You will be logged out of most websites. When you visit a site where you have an account, you will see the login page instead of your usual homepage. Sign in with your username and password as normal. If you check a box that says Remember me or Keep me signed in, the site will save a new cookie so you stay logged in next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache and cookies delete my saved passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cookies in your browser's password manager. Clearing cache and cookies will not affect them. If you want to delete saved passwords, you have to do that in a different menu — usually under Settings, then Passwords or Autofill.
Can I clear cache and cookies for just one website?
Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can right-click on any website and select an option like Delete or Remove to clear just that site's data. In Safari, open Settings, click Privacy, click Manage Website Data, find the site in the list, and click Remove.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing browsing history?
Browsing history is a list of websites you visited — it appears in your browser's history menu. Cache is the stored files from those sites. Clearing history removes the list; clearing cache removes the files. You can clear one without clearing the other, though most browsers let you clear both at the same time.
Do I need to clear cache and cookies regularly?
No. Most people do not need to clear them more than once or twice a year unless they are running low on disk space or a website is not working correctly. If you are concerned about privacy, clearing cookies occasionally is reasonable, but it does not prevent websites from tracking you while you are browsing — that requires a different setting called Do Not Track.