How to Clear Cache and Cookies
Clearing your cache and cookies is the classic first fix when a website misbehaves. Here’s what they actually are, when clearing helps, and the exact steps in every major browser.
“Have you tried clearing your cache?” is tech support’s favourite question for a reason: it fixes a remarkable number of website problems — pages that won’t update, broken layouts, stubborn log-in loops and checkout errors. This guide explains what the cache and cookies really are, when clearing them helps (and when it won’t), and gives the exact steps for every major browser on computer and phone.
Key takeaways
- The cache stores page files to load sites faster; cookies remember logins and preferences.
- Clear the cache to fix outdated or broken pages; clear cookies to fix login and session problems.
- Clearing cookies logs you out of sites, so have your passwords (or a password manager) ready.
- It’s safe and routine — it won’t delete your files, bookmarks or saved passwords.
Cache vs cookies: what they are
The cache is a local stash of website ingredients — images, stylesheets, scripts — that your browser keeps so it doesn’t have to re-download them on every visit. It makes browsing faster, but if a site updates and your browser keeps serving the old cached version, you can see broken layouts or stale content.
Cookies are tiny text files a site stores to remember you: that you’re logged in, your language, what’s in your basket. They’re essential for a smooth web, but a corrupted or stale cookie can cause login loops, “session expired” errors or checkout failures. (Some cookies also track you across sites — see protecting your privacy online.)
When clearing helps — and when it doesn’t
| Symptom | Clear this |
|---|---|
| Page looks broken or won’t show new content | Cache |
| Can’t log in / keeps logging you out / “session expired” | Cookies for that site |
| Checkout or form errors on one site | Cache & cookies for that site |
| Whole browser slow or every site misbehaving | Cache & cookies, then restart the browser |
| No internet at all / site genuinely down | Neither — it’s a connection or server issue |
Try a hard refresh first. Before clearing everything, reload the page bypassing the cache: Ctrl+F5 (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac). This often fixes a single stale page without logging you out of anything.
Clear cache and cookies in Chrome
Open the clear-data dialog
Click the three-dot menu → Delete browsing data (or press Ctrl+Shift+Del). On a Mac use Cmd+Shift+Del.
Choose what and how far back
Tick Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data. Set the time range — “Last hour” for a recent glitch, or “All time” for a deep clean. Leave passwords unticked unless you mean to remove them.
Confirm
Click Delete data, then restart Chrome. To clear just one site, click the padlock in the address bar → Site settings → Delete data.
Clear cache and cookies in Safari (Mac)
To remove cookies and cache: Safari menu → Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove All. To clear just the cache, enable the Develop menu (Settings → Advanced → “Show features for web developers”), then Develop → Empty Caches. Safari’s History → Clear History also clears cache and cookies for a chosen period.
Clear cache and cookies in Edge & Firefox
Microsoft Edge: press Ctrl+Shift+Del, choose Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data, pick a time range and clear. The shortcut and layout closely mirror Chrome.
Firefox: press Ctrl+Shift+Del (or Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data). Tick cookies and cached content, then clear.
Clear cache and cookies on your phone
- Chrome (Android/iPhone): tap the three-dot menu → Delete browsing data → choose cache and cookies → confirm.
- Safari (iPhone): Settings app → Apps → Safari → Clear History and Website Data. This clears cache and cookies together.
- Samsung Internet: Menu → Settings → Personal browsing data → Delete browsing data.
If a single app (not a browser) is misbehaving on Android, you can also clear that app’s cache under Settings → Apps → [app] → Storage. For a broader clean-up, see how to free up storage.
What to expect afterwards
Sites will load a touch slower the first time as the cache rebuilds, and you’ll be logged out of anything whose cookies you cleared — so sign back in with your saved credentials. Your bookmarks, history (unless you cleared it) and saved passwords remain untouched. If a problem persists after clearing, the issue likely isn’t your browser; try another browser or check whether the site itself is down.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cache and cookies?
The cache stores copies of website files (images, scripts) so pages load faster. Cookies are small files that remember things like your login and preferences. Clear the cache to fix outdated or broken pages; clear cookies to fix login and session problems.
Will clearing cache and cookies delete my passwords?
No, not unless you specifically tick the passwords option. Clearing cache and cookies removes temporary site files and logs you out of websites, but your saved passwords, bookmarks and downloads are left untouched.
Will I lose anything important if I clear my cache?
Nothing important. You'll be signed out of sites whose cookies you cleared, and pages load slightly slower the first time as the cache rebuilds. Your files, bookmarks and saved passwords remain. It's a safe, routine maintenance step.
How often should I clear my browser cache?
Only when you have a reason — a site misbehaving, a stubborn login loop, or a privacy clean-up. There's no need to do it regularly; the cache is there to speed up browsing, so clearing it constantly just slows you down.
Clearing the cache didn't fix my problem. What now?
Then the issue probably isn't your browser. Try the site in a different browser or in a private/incognito window, check your internet connection, and see whether the website itself is down. A hard refresh (Ctrl+F5) can also help with a single stale page.
Sources & further reading
- Google — Clear cache and cookies in Chrome
- Apple — Clear the history and cookies from Safari
- Mozilla — Clear cookies and site data in Firefox
This guide is independently produced. We reference primary documentation from device makers and security authorities. Tudug is reader-supported and may earn from ads.