Internet browsers use caching to store HTML web pages by storing a copy of visited pages and then using that copy to render when you re-visit that page. Clearing your browser cache can be beneficial when trying to view recent changes to a website or when having issues viewing a specific page. Below is a step-by-step guide to clearing cache for the most common browsers.
Chrome
- Have Chrome open and selected.
- Press the CTRL-Shift-Delete (Windows), Command-Shift-Delete (Mac) or CTRL-H keys.
If using CTRL-H, click on ‘Clear browsing data…‘ - From the drop-down select how far back in time you’d like to clear the cache.
- Use the check boxes to select the items you’d like to clear from the list. The following is recommended:
– Browsing History
– Cookies and other site and plugin data
– Cached images and files - Click on Clear Browsing Data.
Firefox
- Have Firefox open and selected.
- Press the CTRL-Shift-Delete (Windows), Command-Shift-Delete (Mac).
- From the drop-down select how far back in time you’d like to clear the cache.
- Use the check boxes to select the items you’d like to clear from the list. The following is recommended:
– Browsing & Download History
– Cookies
– Cache - Click on Clear Now.
Microsoft Edge
- Have Microsoft Edge open and selected.
- Press the CTRL-Shift-Delete (Windows), Command-Shift-Delete (Mac).
- Use the check boxes to select the items you’d like to clear from the list. The following is recommended:
– Browsing History
– Cookies and other site data
– Cached images and files - Click Clear Now.
Internet Explorer 10+
- Have Internet Explorer open and selected.
- Press the CTRL-Shift-Delete (Windows), Command-Shift-Delete (Mac).
- Use the check boxes to select the items you’d like to clear from the list. The following is recommended:
– Preserve Favorites website data (only if necessary to refresh the site in question)
– Temporary Internet files and website files
– Cookies and website data
– History - Click Delete.
Opera
- Have Opera open and selected.
- Press the CTRL-Shift-Delete (Windows), Command-Shift-Delete (Mac).
- From the drop-down select how far back in time you’d like to clear the cache.
- Use the check boxes to select the items you’d like to clear from the list. The following is recommended:
– Browsing History
– Cookies and other site data
– Cached images and files - Click Clear browsing data.
Safari 8.0+
- In the Safari menu bar, click the Safari option.
- Select the Preferences link.
- In the Preferences window, click the Advanced tab.
- At the bottom of the window, select the Show Develop menu in menu bar checkbox.
- Return to the Safari menu bar and click the Develop option.
- Select the Empty Caches link.