Edit Article

18 Methods:Chrome v10+Firefox 33Safari for Mac OS XInternet Explorer 9, 10, and 11Microsoft EdgeSafari for WindowsInternet Explorer 8Internet Explorer 7Firefox 30+Firefox 4OperaMozilla SeaMonkeyKonquerorBlackBerry 6.0Chrome v1 - v9Safari on OS X YoesmiteSafari for iOS, iPhone and iPadAndroidQuestions and Answers

Your internet browser's cache stores certain information (snapshots) of webpages you visit on your computer or mobile device so that they'll load more quickly upon future visits and while navigating through websites that use the same images on multiple pages so that you do not download the same image multiple times. Occasionally, however your cache can prevent you from seeing updated content, or cause functional problems when stored content conflicts with live content. You can fix many browser problems simply by clearing your cache. This article contains instructions with screenshots on how to clear the cache for all major browsers.


If you are unsure of what browser version you are currently using, you can visit whatbrowser.org to find out.

Ad

Method 1
Chrome v10+

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 1
    1
    Open the settings on Chrome. Click the menu icon in the upper right corner of the browser to the right. Click settings on the bottom of the menu.
    • A faster way to get there is to press Control+⇧ Shift+Delete on a PC, or if you're using a Mac ⇧ Shift+⌘ Command+Delete.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 2
    2
    From settings, click "Show advanced settings...". It's located at the very bottom of the settings section.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 3
    3
    Scroll to the privacy section and click "Clear browsing data".
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 4
    4
    Select "Cached images and files". Uncheck all other options to avoid deleting browser history, cookies and other things you may wish to retain. Change "Obliterate the following items from" to "the beginning of time".
  5. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 5
    5
    Press "Clear browsing data". You are done!

Method 2
Firefox 33

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 46
    1
    Click the Menu button ("hamburger button" - the one with three horizontal lines) and then choose Options.
    • If Options is not listed in the menu, click Customize and drag Options from the list of Additional Tools and Features over to the Menu.
    • Note: If you're using the menu bar, choose Tools and then Options instead.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 47
    2
    Firefox for Mac: On a Mac, choose Preferences from the Firefox menu and then continue as instructed below. With the Options window now open, click the Privacy tab. In the History area, click the clear your recent history link.
    • If you don't see that link, change the Firefox will: option to Remember history. You can change it back to your custom setting when you're done. In the Clear Recent History window that appears, set the Time range to clear: to Everything. In the list at the bottom of the window, uncheck everything except for Cache.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 48
    3
    If you wish to clear other kinds of stored data, feel free to check the appropriate boxes. They will be cleared with the cache in the next step.
    • Don't see anything to check? Click the button next to Details. Click on the Clear Now button. When the Clear Recent History window disappears, all of the files saved (cached) from your Internet browsing activities in Firefox will have been removed.
    • If your Internet cache is large, Firefox may hang while it finishes removing the files. Just be patient - it will eventually finish the job.
    • Older versions of Firefox, particularly Firefox 4 through Firefox 33, have fairly similar processes for clearing the cache but please try to keep Firefox updated to the latest version if you can.

Method 3
Safari for Mac OS X

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 14
    1
    Once your browser is open, click the Safari menu and select Empty Cache...
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 15
    2
    Click Empty.

Method 4
Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 20
    1
    Once your browser is open, click the gear icon at the top right to open the Settings menu. Then, select Safety and Delete Browsing History....
    • Or, alternately, you may simply press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Delete to open the Delete Browsing History window.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 21
    2
    Select Temporary Internet Files. You will also need to uncheck all of the other boxes, especially Preserve Favorites website data. This option makes the window also delete objects from websites in your Favorites folder, which is necessary to completely clear your cache.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 22
    3
    Click the Delete button near the bottom of the window to perform the operations (i.e. clear your cache by deleting temporary files).
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 23
    4
    Your computer will work for a moment, and then the process will be complete. You've successfully cleared Internet Explorer 9's Cache!

Method 5
Microsoft Edge

  1. 1
    Click the Edge Menu button (...) and select Settings. This will open the Settings sidebar.
  2. 2
    Click the "Choose what to clear" button. You'll find this under the "Clear browsing data" heading.
  3. 3
    Ensure "Cached data and files" is checked. This is usually selected by default.
  4. 4
    Review the list of items to be cleared. Everything that is checked will be removed, so review the list and select or deselect any of the items.
  5. 5
    Click "Clear" to delete the checked items. As long as "Cached data and files" is checked, your Edge browser cache will be deleted.

Method 6
Safari for Windows

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 16
    1
    Once your browser is open, click the gear icon on the top right.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 17
    2
    Select "Reset Safari..." This will prompt a screen to open.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 18
    3
    Select "Remove all website data" at the very bottom of the prompt. Check or uncheck any other categories you want reset.
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 19
    4
    Click "Reset".

Method 7
Internet Explorer 8

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 24
    1
    Once your browser is open, click the Tools menu. Or, optionally you may simply press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Delete to open the Delete Browsing History window (and skip step 2)
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 25
    2
    Click on Delete Browsing History...
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 26
    3
    Select Temporary Internet Files.
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 27
    4
    Click the Delete button near the bottom of the window to delete your temporary files (i.e. clear your cache).
  5. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 28
    5
    Set your cache to delete every time you close Internet Explorer. If you want the browser to automatically clear the cache whenever you close it, close the 'Delete Browsing History' window, select 'Internet Options' from the Tools menu, and check the 'Delete Browsing history on exit' checkbox.
    • Note: IE8 has a "feature" which retains some cookies even after you clear your cache if you do not UNCHECK the "Preserve Favorites Website Data." If you truly need to clear your cache, you will want to uncheck this!

Method 8
Internet Explorer 7

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 29
    1
    Open IE 7 and click the Tools menu. Click the Delete Browsing History link at the top.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 30
    2
    Under the Temporary Internet Files heading, click Delete files...
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 31
    3
    Click Yes when you see the prompt asking if you are sure you want to delete all temporary files.
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 32
    4
    Alternatively, clear your cache for just the current page you're visiting. Press and hold Ctrl on your keyboard, then Press F5 or click on the Refresh button (square button on the toolbar with opposite-facing arrows).

Method 9
Firefox 30+

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 37
    1
    Go to the most left button on the toolbar:
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 38
    2
    Click the "Options" button (That one with a gear). The options dialog appears.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 39
    3
    Select the Advanced button and then the "Network" tab.
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 40
    4
    After that push the "Clear Now" button inside the "Cached Web Content" section.
  5. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 41
    5
    Another way to clear cache is pressing Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Delete to open the recent history window.
    • On a Mac, you can press ⇧ Shift+⌘ Command+Delete.
  6. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 42
    6
    Make sure "Details" is expanded, then select "Cache" from the list. Uncheck everything else.
  7. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 43
    7
    In the "Time Range to Clear" drop down, select "Everything".
  8. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 44
    8
    Select "Clear Now". Your computer will work for a moment, and the process will be completed.
  9. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 45
    9
    You've successfully cleared Firefox's Cache!

Method 10
Firefox 4

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 33
    1
    Go to "Clear Recent History":
    • On a PC, click the "Firefox" menu in the top left corner. Next, select the right arrow next to "History >", and click "Clear Recent History"
      • Or press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Delete to open the recent history window.
    • On a Mac, from the Tools menu, select "Clear Recent History…"
      • Alternately, you can press ⇧ Shift+⌘ Command+Delete.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 34
    2
    Make sure "Details" is expanded, then select "Cache" from the list. Uncheck everything else.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 35
    3
    In the "Time Range to Clear" drop down, select "Everything".
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 36
    4
    Select "Clear Now". Your computer will work for a moment, and the process will be complete. You've successfully cleared Firefox's Cache!

Method 11
Opera

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 54
    1
    Once your browser is open, select the "Settings" menu and click "Delete private data".
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 55
    2
    Make sure the "Delete entire cache" box is checked. Make sure any unwanted categories are left unchecked.
    • If you do not wish to delete cookies, saved passwords, etc., remove checks from them in the list.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 56
    3
    Press "Delete".

Method 12
Mozilla SeaMonkey

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 57
    1
    Once your browser is open, click the "Edit" menu and select "Preferences".
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 58
    2
    In the left-side list, open the "Advanced" node and select "Cache".
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 59
    3
    Click the "Clear Cache" button.

Method 13
Konqueror

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 60
    1
    Once your browser is open, click the Settings menu and select Configure Konqueror.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 61
    2
    Scroll down in the list of images and select Cache.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 62
    3
    Click Clear Cache.

Method 14
BlackBerry 6.0

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 63
    1
    From the BlackBerry Browser, press the BlackBerry button
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 64
    2
    Choose Options
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 65
    3
    Toggle on "Cache"
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 66
    4
    Press "Clear Now"

Method 15
Chrome v1 - v9

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 6
    1
    Once your browser is open, select the Tools menu (the wrench in the upper-right corner) and select Options (Preferences on Mac).
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 7
    2
    On the Under the Hood tab, click the Clear Browsing data... button.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 8
    3
    Select the Empty the cache check-box.
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 9
    4
    You can also choose the period of time you wish to delete cached information using the Clear data from this period dropdown menu.
  5. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 10
    5
    Click the Clear Browsing Data button.

Method 16
Safari on OS X Yoesmite

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 67
    1
    Open Safari.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 68
    2
    On the menu at the top, select "Safari".
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 69
    3
    Toggle "Clear All Website History and Data".
    • 2 Methods: There are two methods mentioned in this article. The one mentioned first doesn't work anymore.

Method 17
Safari for iOS, iPhone and iPad

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 11
    1
    Click on Settings from the home page.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 12
    2
    Scroll down until you see "Safari." Click on it to bring up the option page.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 13
    3
    Click "Clear Cookies and Data."A popup box will appear. Click "Clear Cookies and Data" again to confirm your choice.

Method 18
Android

  1. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 49
    1
    Open the browser.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 50
    2
    Tap the Menu Key.
  3. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 51
    3
    Click on the "More Options" button.
  4. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 52
    4
    Click on "Settings"
  5. Image titled Clear Your Browser's Cache Step 53
    5
    Tap "Clear Cache." You'll then be presented with a verification menu. Tap "Okay" or "Clear Cache" again (depending on the version of your phone) to complete the process.

Reader Questions and Answers

Add New Question
Answered Questions Edit Done editing
    Don't see your question? Ask it here:
    Submit

    Warnings

    Tips

    • You can use Portable Firefox from a USB flash drive, which will store the data (cache, cookies, etc.) on the portable device, rather than your computer's hard drive.
    • If you wish, you can disable the cache entirely in your browser's options panel by choosing the 'do not remember history' option or simply browse incognito. The cache is used to speed up access to websites by loading data from the local memory rather than downloading it, however you probably will not notice a difference from a high-speed internet connection.
    • Read more about how to use Ccleaner.
    • You may also want to clear your browser's cookies.

    Related wikiHows

    Optimize Your PC Performance

    How to
    Optimize Your PC Performance

    Get the Chrome Icon for Google Chrome

    How to
    Get the Chrome Icon for Google Chrome

    Delete Your Computer History (for Chrome Only)

    How to
    Delete Your Computer History (for Chrome Only)

    Check Your Chrome Downloads

    How to
    Check Your Chrome Downloads

    Browse Incognito in Internet Explorer

    How to
    Browse Incognito in Internet Explorer

    Clear Your Browser's Cookies

    How to
    Clear Your Browser's Cookies

    Block and Accept Cookies in Internet Explorer

    How to
    Block and Accept Cookies in Internet Explorer

    Clear Your Online Activity

    How to
    Clear Your Online Activity

    Be Online Anonymously

    How to
    Be Online Anonymously

    Use Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition

    How to
    Use Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition

    Article Info

    Featured Article

    Categories: Featured Articles | Internet Browsers

    In other languages:

    Français: effacer le cache de votre navigateur, Español: borrar la caché del navegador, Deutsch: Den Cache eines Browsers löschen, Português: Limpar a Cache do seu Navegador, Italiano: Cancellare la Cache del Tuo Browser, Русский: сбросить кеш браузера, 中文: 清除浏览器缓存, Bahasa Indonesia: Membersihkan Cache Browser, Čeština: Jak vymazat Cache prohlížeče, العربية: حذف الذاكرة المؤقتة في متصفح الإنترنت, ไทย: ล้างแคชของเว็บบราวเซอร์, हिन्दी: ब्राउज़र से कैश (Cache) मिटाएँ, Tiếng Việt: Xoá Bộ nhớ Cache của Trình duyệt

    Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 17,137,157 times.

    Did this article help you?