What clearing your cache does

Clearing your cache in Chrome removes temporary files that the browser has stored on your computer — images, scripts, and partial web pages that Chrome saves to load websites faster next time you visit them. When you clear the cache, Chrome deletes these files but keeps your passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history unless you tell it to delete those too.

You might clear your cache if a website looks broken or loads incorrectly, if you want to free up disk space, or if you want to remove traces of sites you've visited. Clearing cache does not log you out of websites automatically, though some sites may ask you to sign in again the next time you visit.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome settings, go to Privacy and Security, then select Clear Browsing Data to remove cached files.
  • Choose the time range at the top — "All time" clears everything, while "Last hour" or "Last 24 hours" clears only recent cache.
  • Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked; you can uncheck other options like history or cookies if you want to keep them.
  • You can set Chrome to clear cache automatically every time you close the browser through Privacy and Security settings.

Clear cache one time in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy and Security. Then click Clear Browsing Data. A window will pop up with options for what to delete.

At the top of this window, you'll see a dropdown menu that says "All time" or shows a time range. Click it to choose how far back you want to clear: "All time" removes all cached files ever, while "Last 24 hours" or "Last hour" removes only recent cache. Select the range you want.

Make sure the checkbox next to "Cached images and files" is checked. You can leave other options unchecked if you want to keep your history, cookies, or passwords. Click the blue Clear Data button at the bottom right.

Clear cache automatically when you close Chrome

If you want Chrome to delete cache every time you close the browser, you can turn on automatic clearing. Open Chrome, click the three dots, and go to Settings.

Click Privacy and Security on the left. Look for the section called "Clear Browsing Data" and toggle on the switch next to "Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome." This setting clears cookies and cached files automatically, though you can adjust what gets deleted by clicking the link below the toggle.

Once this is on, Chrome will clear cache each time you fully close the browser — not just when you close a tab. If you use Chrome across multiple devices with the same Google account, this setting will sync to all of them.

What gets deleted and what stays

When you clear cache, Chrome removes temporary website files, images, and scripts. It does not automatically delete your browsing history, passwords, or bookmarks unless you check those boxes in the Clear Browsing Data window.

Cookies — small files that websites use to remember you — are separate from cache. If you want to clear cookies too, check the "Cookies and other site data" box. Clearing cookies will log you out of most websites, while clearing cache alone usually does not.

Your Google account information, saved passwords in Chrome, and extensions stay on your computer. If you want to remove saved passwords, you can do that separately in Settings under Autofill.

Why a website still looks wrong after clearing cache

If a website still appears broken after you clear cache, the problem may not be cache. Try closing Chrome completely and opening it again, or try visiting the site in an Incognito window (press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac). Incognito windows don't use cached files, so if the site works there, cache was the issue.

If the site still looks wrong in Incognito mode, the problem is likely on the website's end, not your browser. You can try a different browser to confirm, or contact the website's support team. Some websites also have problems with older versions of Chrome, so check that your browser is up to date by clicking the three dots, going to Help, and selecting About Google Chrome.

Clearing cache on mobile Chrome

On an Android phone or tablet, open Chrome and tap the three dots in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Clear Browsing Data. Choose your time range and make sure "Cached images and files" is checked, then tap Clear Data.

On an iPhone or iPad, open Chrome and tap the three dots at the bottom right. Tap Settings, then Privacy, then Clear Browsing Data. Select the time range and tap Clear Browsing Data to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing cache delete my passwords?

No, not unless you specifically check the "Passwords and other sign-in data" box in the Clear Browsing Data window. By default, only cached images and files are deleted. Your saved passwords stay in Chrome unless you remove them separately through Settings under Autofill.

Will clearing cache log me out of websites?

Clearing cache alone usually does not log you out. Logging out happens when you clear cookies, which are different from cache. If you want to stay logged in, make sure you uncheck "Cookies and other site data" in the Clear Browsing Data window.

How much space does cache take up?

Cache size varies depending on how much you browse and how long you've used Chrome. It can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes. If you're running low on disk space, clearing cache can help, though uninstalling unused programs usually frees up more space.

Can I clear cache for just one website?

Chrome doesn't have a built-in way to clear cache for a single site. You can clear all cache for a time period, or you can visit the site in an Incognito window, which doesn't save cache. Some websites also have their own "clear cache" option in their settings.