What clearing your cache does and when you need to do it

Your browser cache is a folder on your computer where your web browser stores copies of images, videos, and other files from websites you visit. The next time you visit that site, your browser loads the cached copy instead of downloading it again — which makes pages load faster. Over time, this cache grows large and can slow your browser down, cause websites to display outdated versions, or use up storage space on your device.

Clearing your cache removes all these stored files. It does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically choose to clear those too. After you clear the cache, websites will load slightly slower the first time you visit them, because your browser has to download everything fresh. But the browser will start caching again immediately, so you will not notice a difference on repeat visits.

You should clear your cache if a website is not displaying correctly, if your browser feels sluggish, or if you are sharing a computer and want to remove traces of the sites you visited. Some people clear it monthly as routine maintenance; others only do it when something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • Your browser cache stores copies of website files to make pages load faster, but it grows large over time and can cause outdated content to display.
  • Clearing the cache removes only stored website files — your passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history stay unless you delete those separately.
  • The steps to clear cache differ slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but all take less than a minute.
  • After clearing cache, websites will load slightly slower on your first visit, then cache again automatically.

How to clear cache in Google 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, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.

A window will pop up. At the top, make sure the time range is set to All time if you want to clear everything, or choose a specific range like Last hour or Last 7 days. Check the box next to Cached images and files. You can leave the other boxes unchecked unless you also want to delete cookies, history, or other data. Click Clear data and you are done.

If you want Chrome to clear the cache automatically every time you close the browser, go back to Settings > Privacy and security and turn on Clear cookies and other site data when you quit Chrome.

How to clear cache in Mozilla Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the Cookies and Site Data section and click Clear Data.

A window will appear. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked. You can leave Cookies and Site Data unchecked unless you want to delete those too. Click Clear and the cache is cleared.

To have Firefox clear the cache automatically when you close the browser, go back to Settings > Privacy & Security and scroll to History. Change the dropdown to Use custom settings for history, then check the box next to Clear history when Firefox closes. Click the Settings button next to it and make sure Cache is checked.

How to clear cache in Safari

Open Safari. At the top of the screen, click Safari in the menu bar, then select Clear History. A dropdown menu will appear asking how far back you want to clear. Choose All history to clear everything, or pick a specific time range. Click Clear History.

Safari does not have a separate option to clear only the cache without clearing history — clearing history also clears the cache. If you want to clear cache without losing your browsing history, you will need to use a different method. Go to Safari > Settings, click the Advanced tab, and check Show Develop menu in menu bar. Then click Develop in the menu bar and select Empty Caches.

How to clear cache in Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy, search, and services. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.

A window will pop up. At the top, select your time range — All time clears everything. Check the box next to Cached images and files. Leave other boxes unchecked unless you want to delete cookies or history too. Click Clear now.

To clear the cache automatically every time you close Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services and turn on Clear browsing data. Then toggle on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. The next time you close Edge, it will ask what you want to clear.

What to do if clearing cache does not fix your problem

If a website still displays incorrectly after you clear the cache, try clearing your cookies as well. Cookies are small files that store login information and website preferences. They are separate from cache, and some website problems are caused by outdated or corrupted cookies rather than cached files. Use the same steps as above, but also check the box for Cookies or Cookies and Site Data.

If the problem persists, try opening the website in a private or incognito window. This mode does not use your cache or cookies at all, so if the site works in private mode, you know the problem is with your stored data. You can then clear the cache and cookies for just that website instead of your entire browser. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can right-click on the website's URL in your address bar and select Delete to clear data for only that site.

If the website still does not work in private mode, the problem is likely on the website's end, not your browser. Try the site on a different browser or device to confirm, or contact the website's support team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing my cache delete my passwords?

No. Cache stores only website images and files. Passwords are stored separately in your browser's password manager. If you want to keep your passwords but clear the cache, make sure the password box is unchecked when you clear browsing data. If you accidentally delete your passwords, you can recover them in most browsers by going to Settings and checking your password manager.

How often should I clear my cache?

There is no set schedule. If your browser feels slow or websites display incorrectly, clear the cache. If everything works fine, you do not need to clear it. Some people clear it monthly as routine maintenance. If you share a computer and want privacy, clear it after each session. You can also set your browser to clear automatically when you close it.

Does clearing cache free up storage space on my computer?

Yes, but usually not much. A browser cache typically takes up between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes, depending on how long you have been using the browser. Clearing it will free up that space, though it is rarely enough to solve a storage problem. If your computer is running out of space, you likely need to delete larger files like videos or old documents.

What is the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images, videos, and other website files to make pages load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information like your login status and website preferences. Both slow down over time, but they serve different purposes. Clearing both can fix more website problems than clearing just one, but you can clear them separately if you want to keep one and delete the other.

Can I clear cache for just one website instead of everything?

Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, right-click on the website's URL in your address bar and select Delete or Remove. This clears cache and cookies for only that site. In Safari, you have to clear all cache at once — there is no option to clear for a single site. If you need to clear cache for one site in Safari, use the Develop menu method described above, which clears cache but keeps your browsing history.