How to Clear Your Browser Cache

To clear your browser cache, open the browser’s browsing-data controls and select Cached images and files (or the equivalent cache-only option). Leave cookies, site data, history, passwords, and autofill unchecked unless you deliberately want to remove those too. Cache clearing can fix an outdated layout, missing images, or some loading problems; clearing cookies or website data can sign you out and remove site preferences.

Use the browser-native steps below. Menu labels can vary slightly by device, language, and browser release; these instructions reflect the documented controls available as of September 2026.

Quick chooser

Browser and device	Where to start	Cache-only choice
Chrome on Windows or Mac	More ⋮ → Delete browsing data	Cached images and files
Chrome on Android	More ⋮ → Delete browsing data	Cached images and files; inspect other selected categories
Chrome on iPhone or iPad	More ⋯ → Delete Browsing Data	Choose the cache option shown
Firefox on Windows or Mac	Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security	Temporary cached files and pages
Edge on Windows	Settings → Privacy, search, and services	Cached images and files
Safari on Mac	Safari → Settings → Privacy	Manage Website Data; remove selected site data
Safari on iPhone or iPad	Settings → Apps → Safari	Advanced → Website Data; see the Safari steps below

What does clearing the browser cache delete?

A browser cache is temporary storage for copies of website resources, such as images, scripts, and page files. Keeping those copies can make repeat visits faster. When you clear the cache, the browser fetches resources again and rebuilds its cache as you browse. Cache-only clearing is generally safe and does not normally remove bookmarks, extensions, or files you downloaded.

Data type	What it is	What happens if you clear it
Cached images and files	Local copies of website resources	Pages download those resources again; first reloads may be slower
Cookies	Small records sites use for sessions and preferences	You may be signed out or lose site preferences
Site data	Website storage such as local app data and permissions	A web app may forget settings, offline data, or a cart
Browsing history	Local record of pages visited	History entries are removed; usually unrelated to a broken layout
Passwords and passkeys	Credentials saved in the browser or password manager	Could remove saved sign-in information if selected
Autofill	Saved form details	Could remove saved form suggestions
Downloads	Usually a list of downloaded items	Clearing download history is distinct from deleting the downloaded files
Bookmarks and extensions	Saved links and add-ons	Not normally removed by a cache-only action

Browser dialogs group different kinds of data together, so inspect the checked categories before confirming. Chrome documents cache, cookies, history, passwords, autofill, downloads, site settings, and other categories separately; use its browsing-data guide if the labels on your device differ.

Should you clear cache, cookies, or both?

Symptom	First action	Possible consequence
Old layout, missing images, broken styling	Clear cached files only	Usually low disruption
Login loop, checkout session error, wrong remembered setting	Clear data for that site, including cookies/site data	You may need to sign in again
Several websites misbehave	Clear cache, then check extensions, browser updates, and network	Clearing all data can disrupt many sites
Privacy or shared-device concern	Choose history and site data deliberately	This is broader than cache clearing
Only one site is affected	Remove that site’s stored data	That site may forget its session and preferences

Start with cache for visual or loading problems. Cookies and site data matter more when the site has a session or stored-state problem. Google notes that clearing cache and cookies can make sites load more slowly the next time because content must be downloaded again. See its cache and cookie guidance.

Clear cache in Chrome on a computer

1. Open Chrome.
2. Select More ⋮ in the upper-right, then Delete browsing data.
3. Choose a time range. Choose All time only if you intend to clear the full cache, rather than a narrower period.
4. Select Cached images and files.
5. Leave Cookies and other site data, Browsing history, Passwords, and Autofill unchecked unless you want those removed too.
6. Select Delete data, then reload the affected page.

If Chrome sync is on, some browsing data may be synchronized with your Google Account and other devices. Check the selected categories and sync state before clearing broadly. Chrome also notes that its sign-in cookies can behave differently when you are signed in to Chrome; signing out may be needed if your goal is specifically to remove Google sign-in cookies. The current Chrome desktop instructions list the available categories.

Clear cache in Chrome on Android

1. Open Chrome and tap More ⋮ beside the address bar.
2. Tap Delete browsing data. The documented dialog may default to a 15-minute duration; change it if needed.
3. Tap More options if the category list is not visible.
4. Select Cached images and files. Carefully review any other checked categories, especially saved passwords and autofill.
5. Tap Delete data, then reopen the affected page.

Google’s Android instructions explain that deleting synchronized Google Account data can affect other signed-in devices. The mobile dialog can expose more categories than you intend to clear, so read it before confirming.

Clear cache in Chrome on iPhone or iPad

1. Open Chrome and tap More ⋯.
2. Tap Delete Browsing Data.
3. Choose a time range and select the cached-data option available in the dialog.
4. Leave Cookies, Site Data, history, passwords, and autofill unselected unless you deliberately want them removed.
5. Tap Delete Browsing Data and confirm, then reload the site.

See Google’s Chrome instructions for iPhone and iPad for the current category names.

Clear cache in Firefox on Windows or Mac

1. Open Firefox, open the menu, and select Settings.
2. Select Privacy & Security.
3. Find Cookies and Site Data or Browsing data, then select Clear Data….
4. Set the time range to Everything only if you want to clear the whole cache.
5. Select only Temporary cached files and pages. Leave cookies and site data unselected for a cache-only clear.
6. Select Clear, close Settings, and reload the page.

Another route is Menu → History → Clear Recent History…. Choose the relevant time range and select only temporary cached files and pages. Firefox can also clear cached files on exit, but that is an optional privacy or maintenance setting, not necessary for ordinary troubleshooting. Mozilla’s Firefox cache guide has the current controls.

Clear cache in Microsoft Edge on Windows

1. Open Edge and select Settings and more ⋯.
2. Select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services.
3. Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear.
4. Choose a time range and select Cached images and files.
5. Leave cookies, history, passwords, and autofill unchecked unless you mean to clear them.
6. Select Clear now, then reload the affected site.

Edge distinguishes data stored on the device from data synchronized across devices. Check sync before clearing categories beyond the cache. Microsoft documents the current path under Edge browsing data and privacy and explains history and synced data.

Clear website data in Safari on Mac

Safari’s consumer settings use the term website data rather than offering the same straightforward cache-only checkbox used by some browsers. For a targeted cleanup:

1. Open Safari and choose Safari → Settings.
2. Select Privacy, then Manage Website Data.
3. Select the affected site, then choose Remove. Use Remove All only if you intend to remove data for every site.
4. Reload the site.

Removing website data can sign you out or change how a site behaves, and may affect website data used by other apps. Apple’s Safari website-data instructions describe the controls. Developers may also use Safari’s Develop menu for cache-focused debugging; its availability and labels depend on Safari and macOS versions, so the Privacy settings above are the safer general path.

Clear website data in Safari on iPhone or iPad

To clear history, cache, and cookies together on a current iPhone:

1. Open Settings, tap Apps, then Safari.
2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
3. Choose a timeframe and tap Clear History.

That is a broad action. To remove website data while keeping browsing history:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Safari → Advanced → Website Data.
2. Tap Remove All Website Data, then Remove Now.

Website data can include information used for sign-in and preferences, so the second option can still sign you out or reset site behavior. Apple says clearing history and website data does not change AutoFill information. On iPad, Settings placement and wording can vary by iPadOS release; profiles may also affect which data is selected. See Apple’s Safari iPhone instructions and profile and history guidance.

Remove data for one website instead

Site-specific deletion is often the best next step when one site keeps showing stale content or has a session problem. It limits disruption to other sites. If the issue is purely visual, try reloading first; removing site data can clear cookies and app storage as well as cached resources.

• Chrome desktop: Open Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies → See all site data and permissions. Search for the site and delete its data. Refer to Chrome’s site-data controls.
• Firefox: Use the site-information control beside the address or open Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Manage Data. Mozilla explains site-specific cookie and data removal.
• Safari on Mac: Safari → Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data, select the site, then Remove.
• Safari on iPhone: Settings → Apps → Safari → Advanced → Website Data. Search for or select the relevant site if available in your version; avoid Remove All unless intended.

Menu labels can move between releases. If the site-specific search is unavailable, use the browser’s own help page for your version rather than deleting browser profile folders manually.

What to expect after clearing the cache

• The first reload can take longer while images, scripts, fonts, and other resources download again.
• A site may now show its current files if an old local copy was the problem.
• Cache-only clearing should not normally sign you out; clearing cookies or site data may require signing in again.
• If you remove site data, preferences, shopping carts, permissions, or offline web-app state may be lost.
• Clearing a download-history list does not necessarily delete downloaded files.

Clearing your browser cache affects local browser storage. It does not purge a website’s server or CDN cache, and it does not necessarily clear your operating system’s DNS cache. If you own the site, check the deployment and server-side caching path separately.

If clearing cache does not fix the problem

1. Reload the page. Confirm the browser has requested the page again.
2. Close and reopen the browser. This can clear a stuck tab or process.
3. Try a private or incognito window. If the page works there, extensions or normal-profile site data may be involved. Private mode does not clear the cache in your regular profile.
4. Clear data for only that site. This is more disruptive than cache-only clearing, but can fix a bad session or stored app state.
5. Temporarily disable extensions and content blockers. An extension can keep causing a problem after the cache is cleared.
6. Try another browser. If only one browser fails, investigate its profile or settings.
7. Update the browser and operating system, then restart the device.
8. Try another network. A router, VPN, proxy, or network filter can affect loading.
9. Check whether the website is down. If only one service is affected across browsers and networks, contact its support team.
10. For Firefox, distinguish the web cache from the startup cache. Startup-cache clearing may help Firefox interface problems; Mozilla says the procedure restarts Firefox without changing profile data or add-ons. Use its Firefox troubleshooting guide.
11. For Safari, check site-specific causes. Apple also recommends trying another network, restarting, checking JavaScript, and considering VPN or Private Relay interference when pages do not load. See Apple’s Safari loading guidance.

Common mistakes and fixes

What went wrong	Why	Fix
You were signed out everywhere	Cookies or site data were selected with the cache	Sign in again; next time select cache only or clear data for one site
The site is still broken	The cause may be an extension, network, outage, server cache, or stored site state	Follow the troubleshooting ladder; test a private window and another network
The page is slower just after clearing	Cached resources must be downloaded again	Allow the page to reload; repeat visits can reuse newly cached resources
Passwords or form suggestions disappeared	Password or autofill categories were selected	Check your password manager and browser sync; inspect categories before future clears
You cleared data on several devices	Browser sync may have propagated the deletion	Check sync settings and recover from your account or password manager if available
Safari’s clear button is unavailable	Restrictions such as Screen Time can prevent changing website data	Review device restrictions or ask the device administrator

For normal cache maintenance, avoid manually deleting browser profile folders or installing third-party cleaner utilities. Browser-native controls make it easier to choose the category and scope you intend.

Or skip the browser setup

If you are a developer who needs a screenshot of a page to inspect a visual change, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. A single GET request returns PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF output. It does not clear your personal browser cache; it captures a page through its API.

Here is a one-call WebP example with cURL. Replace the example URL as needed. See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options.

curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" \
  -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY \
  --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com \
  -o shot.webp

Equivalent Python and Node.js requests:

import requests

r = requests.get(
    "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot",
    params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"},
    timeout=90,
)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)

const q = new URLSearchParams({
  access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
  url: 'https://stripe.com'
});
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Screenshot request failed: ${res.status}`);
const bytes = new Uint8Array(await res.arrayBuffer());
await import('node:fs/promises').then(fs => fs.writeFile('shot.webp', bytes));

• Cookie and consent banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets are removed before capture; each step can be turned off.
• Bot checks, blank pages, failed loads, timeouts, and cache hits are not billed. Response headers identify the page verdict and billing result.
• An MCP server lets AI agents use take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf.
• The Free plan includes 1,000 shots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Every feature is on every plan.

Create a free ScreenshotNeo account and get 1,000 screenshots a month with no card.

FAQ

Does clearing cache delete passwords or bookmarks?

Not when you select only cached files. Passwords are a separate category, and bookmarks are not normally part of browsing-data clearing. Check the confirmation dialog before proceeding.

How often should I clear my cache?

There is no routine interval needed for most people. Clear it when a specific stale-page or loading symptom suggests it, or when support asks you to.

Does clearing cache make the browser faster?

Not reliably. The next page load may be slower because resources download again; cache clearing is a troubleshooting step, not a general speed boost.

Does it clear DNS or a website’s server cache?

No. Browser cache, operating-system DNS cache, and a site’s server or CDN cache are separate systems.

Is private browsing the same as clearing cache?

No. A private window uses a separate browsing context and does not erase cached data in your normal profile.

What should I do on a shared or work device?

Use the browser’s native controls and choose the intended categories. On managed devices, sync policies or restrictions may affect what can be cleared; follow your organization’s device guidance.