How to clear your browser cache and cookies

If you are experiencing problems accessing your website, or there are website changes that are not displaying when you load your site, often a simple refresh of your browser cache is all that is required to solve the issue.

Browser cache is essentially a temporary store of information. Whenever you visit a website, its contents are saved locally on your computer. This helps the page load faster for future visits. If your browser is failing to load a new version of your site correctly, you can often fix the problem by clearing your stored cache data.

In this article, we’ll review the process for clearing your browser cache and cookie data.

• How to clear your browser cache and cookies
• Using Google Chrome
• Using Mozilla Firefox
• Using Microsoft Edge
• Using Internet Explorer 11
• Using Safari
• Using Opera
• How to browse in private mode
• Using Google Chrome
• Using Mozilla Firefox
• Using Microsoft Edge
• Using Internet Explorer 11
• Using Safari
• Using Opera

How to clear your browser cache and cookies

The procedure will differ depending on which browser you are using; refer to the appropriate section below for detailed instructions.

Using Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome
2. Click on the menu icon (the three stacked dots) in the upper right corner
3. Go to More tools, then Clear browsing data
4. Choose your clear options:
   1. In the upper dropdown menu, you may choose a time range to clear data (e.g. “Last 24 hours”)
   2. If you want to delete all cache, select All time
   3. Check the box next to Cached Images and Files
   4. If you wish to delete your cookies, check the box next to Cookies and other site data
5. Click Clear data to delete your cache
6. Reload your website

Using Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox
2. Click on the menu icon (the three stacked lines) in the upper right corner
3. Go to History, then Clear recent history
4. Choose your clear options:
   1. In the upper dropdown menu, you may choose a time range to clear data (e.g. “Today”)
   2. If you want to delete all cache, select Everything
   3. Ensure the box next to Cache is checked
   4. If you wish to delete your cookies, check the box next to Cookies
5. Click OK to delete your cache
6. Reload your website

Using Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge
2. Click on the menu icon (the three adjacent dots) in the upper right corner
3. Go to Settings, then Privacy, search, and services
4. Next to Clear browsing data now, click Choose what to clear
5. Choose your clear options:
   1. In the upper dropdown menu, you may choose a time range to clear data (e.g. “Last 24 hours”)
   2. If you want to delete all cache, select All time
   3. Ensure the box next to Cached images and files is checked
   4. If you wish to delete your cookies, check the box next to Cookies and other site data
6. Click Clear now to delete your cache
7. Reload your website

Using Internet Explorer 11

1. Open Internet Explorer 11
2. Click on the cog-icon in the upper right corner
3. Go to Extras, then Internet options
4. Under the General tab, locate the Browser history section
5. Click the Delete button
6. Remove all checks with the exception of Temporary Internet files and website files 
7. Click Delete to delete your cache
8. Reload your website

Using Safari

1. Open Safari
2. Enable the developer menu:
   1. Select Safari from the main menu, then click Preferences
   2. A popup window will appear, click on Advanced
   3. Check the box next to Show develop menu in the menu bar at the bottom
   4. You will now see the Develop item in the main menu
3. Go to Develop from the main menu
4. Select Empty caches from the submenu options
5. Reload your website

Using Opera

1. Open Opera
2. Click on the Opera icon (in the title bar) or click the main menu button
3. Go to Settings, then Data and security
4. Under Privacy, click Delete browser data
5. Choose your clear options:
   1. In the upper dropdown menu, you may choose a time range to clear data (e.g. “the past hour”)
   2. If you want to delete all cache, select the beginning of time
   3. Ensure the box next to Cached images and files is checked
   4. If you wish to delete your cookies, check the box next to Cookies and other site data
6. Click Clear browsing data to delete your cache
7. Reload your website

How to browse in private mode

In certain situations, you might not want to clear your cache but still view a refreshed browser state. In this case, you can browse in private (or incognito) mode to view your website. 

The process varies depending on the browser you are using; refer to the appropriate section below for detailed instructions.

Using Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome
2. Click on the menu icon (the three stacked dots) in the upper right corner
3. Click New Incognito Window
4. Reload your website in the incognito window

Using Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox
2. Click on the menu icon (the three stacked lines) in the upper right corner
3. Click New Private Window
4. Reload your website in the private window

Using Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge
2. Click on the menu icon (the three adjacent dots) in the upper right corner
3. Click New InPrivate Window
4. Reload your website in the private window

Using Internet Explorer 11

1. Open Internet Explorer 11
2. Click on the cog-icon in the upper right corner
3. Click New InPrivate Window
4. Reload your website in the private window

Using Safari

1. Open Safari
2. Click on the File menu
3. Click New Private Window
4. Reload your website in the private window

Using Opera

1. Open Opera
2. Click on the Opera icon (in the title bar) or click the main menu button
3. Click New Private Window
4. Reload your website in the private window