What clearing your cache does and why you might need to
Your browser stores copies of websites you visit — images, scripts, stylesheets — in a folder called the cache. The next time you visit that site, your browser loads the stored copy instead of downloading everything again, which makes pages load faster. Over time, this cache grows large and can slow your browser down, cause pages to display incorrectly if the cached version is outdated, or use up storage space on your device.
Clearing the cache removes all these stored files. After you clear it, websites will load slightly slower the first time you visit them again, because your browser has to download everything fresh. But the browser will rebuild the cache immediately, so the slowdown is temporary and usually unnoticeable.
You might clear your cache if a website looks broken or won't load properly, if your browser feels sluggish, if you want to free up storage space, or if you're concerned about privacy and don't want your browser storing records of the sites you visit.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you clear the cache through their settings menu, and the process takes less than a minute.
- You can choose to clear just the cache or also delete cookies, browsing history, and other stored data at the same time.
- Clearing the cache will not sign you out of websites, but clearing cookies will.
- You can set your browser to clear the cache automatically every time you close it.
- If a website still looks broken after clearing the cache, try a hard refresh by holding Shift and pressing F5 (or Cmd+Shift+R on Mac).
How to clear the cache in Google 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'll see a dropdown that says Time range. Choose how far back you want to clear: All time clears everything, Last 24 hours clears only the past day, or pick another range. Make sure the box next to Cached images and files is checked. You can also check Cookies and other site data if you want to clear those too, but this will sign you out of websites. Click Clear data when you're ready.
How to clear the cache in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called the hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy & Security. Under the section labeled Cookies and Site Data, click the button that says Clear Data.
A window will appear. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked. You can also check Cookies and Site Data to clear those, but this will sign you out of websites. Click Clear to finish. Firefox will also show you how much space the cache was using before you cleared it.
How to clear the cache in Safari
Open Safari. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click Safari, then select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Privacy tab. Click the button labeled Manage Website Data.
A list of websites will appear. To clear everything, click Remove All. To clear only specific sites, select them from the list and click Remove. This action clears both the cache and cookies for the sites you choose, which means you'll be signed out. Click Done when finished.
How to clear the cache in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Under the section labeled Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
A window will open. At the top, select your time range using the dropdown menu. Make sure Cached images and files is checked. You can also check Cookies and other site data if you want to clear those too. Click Clear now to finish.
How to set your browser to clear the cache automatically
All four browsers can clear the cache automatically when you close them, which means you won't have to do it manually. 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 next to Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed.
In Safari, go to Settings, click the Privacy tab, 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 the section labeled Clear browsing data. Once you turn this on, the cache will be deleted every time you fully close the browser.
What to do if clearing the cache doesn't fix the problem
If a website still looks broken or won't load after you clear the cache, try a hard refresh. This forces your browser to download the page fresh without using any cached files. On Windows, hold Ctrl and press F5, or hold Ctrl+Shift and press R. On Mac, hold Cmd+Shift and press R. In Safari on Mac, hold Cmd+Option and press R.
If the problem persists after a hard refresh, try opening the page in a different browser or in a private browsing window (Incognito in Chrome, Private Window in Firefox, Private Browsing in Safari, or InPrivate in Edge). Private browsing doesn't use the cache at all, so if the page works in private mode, the problem is with your cache or browser settings, not the website itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing the cache sign me out of websites?
Clearing the cache alone will not sign you out. The cache stores only images and files. Signing in and out depends on cookies, which are separate. If you want to stay signed in, make sure you uncheck the box for cookies when you clear the cache. If you check both boxes, you will be signed out of all websites.
How much space does the cache usually take up?
This varies widely depending on how much you browse and which sites you visit. A cache can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes. If you're running low on storage space, clearing the cache can free up some room, though it's usually not the biggest space hog on your device.
Is it safe to clear the cache?
Yes, it's completely safe. The cache stores only temporary copies of files that your browser can download again whenever it needs them. Clearing it won't delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically choose to clear those things too.
Do I need to clear the cache regularly?
Not necessarily. Most people don't need to clear it manually unless they notice a problem or want to free up space. If you're concerned about privacy, you can set your browser to clear automatically when you close it. Otherwise, clearing it once every few months is fine.
What's the difference between cache and cookies?
The cache stores website files like images and scripts to make pages load faster. Cookies store information about you — like login details, preferences, and what you've clicked on — so websites can remember you. Clearing the cache won't affect your logins, but clearing cookies will sign you out.