How to Clear the Cache in Chrome

To clear only the cache in Chrome, open More (the three-dot menu) > Delete browsing data, choose a time range, select Cached images and files, and confirm. Leave cookies, browsing history, and other categories unchecked if you do not want to remove them. The labels and steps vary slightly across computer, Android, and iPhone or iPad.

What Chrome’s cache is—and what clearing it does

The cache stores parts of pages, such as images and other files, so Chrome can reuse them on later visits. Clearing it removes those saved copies; Chrome fetches them again when you revisit the site. Google describes the cache as helping pages open faster on a later visit (Google Chrome Help: Delete browsing data).

Clearing the cache can help when a page appears stale or has a loading or formatting problem. It can also free local storage. It is not a guaranteed fix: a network problem, browser issue, or site outage can cause similar symptoms. The first load after clearing may be slower while Chrome downloads page content again.

Clear the cache on a computer

These steps apply to Chrome on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chromebook.

Open Chrome and select More (three dots) in the top-right corner.
Select Delete browsing data.
Choose a time range, such as Last hour or All time. Use the range that covers the cached files you want to remove.
Select Cached images and files. Leave other categories unchecked if you only want to clear the cache.
Select Delete data.

You can also type Delete browsing data in Chrome’s address bar and choose the suggested action chip to open the data-deletion dialog. See Google’s computer instructions.

Clear the cache on Android

Open Chrome and tap More beside the address bar.
Tap Delete browsing data.
Choose a duration. The documented default is 15 minutes.
Tap More options to see the data categories.
Select Cached images and files. Deselect categories you do not intend to remove.
Tap Delete data and confirm if Chrome asks.

Google says deleting cookies while signed in to Chrome on Android does not sign you out of your Google Account. Site-specific sessions or settings may still be affected if you select cookies or site data. Follow the category labels shown in your version of Chrome. See Google’s Android instructions.

Clear the cache on iPhone or iPad

Open Chrome and tap More.
Tap Delete browsing data.
Choose a time range. The documented default is 15 minutes.
Tap Browsing data, select Cached images and files, and deselect any categories you do not want to remove.
Tap Confirm, then Delete browsing data.

Button wording can differ between app versions. Use the current screen’s category selection and confirmation controls, taking care to select cache only if that is your goal. See Google’s iPhone and iPad instructions.

Choose what to delete

Data category	What it generally affects	Choose it when
Cached images and files	Saved page content that Chrome can download again	You want to refresh cached page assets or free local storage
Cookies and site data	Site-specific state, such as preferences and sessions	You intend to reset site state and are prepared for some sites to ask you to sign in again
Browsing history	Pages recorded in browsing history	You also intend to remove history for the selected range
Other categories	May include saved passwords, autofill data, permissions, or other browsing information, depending on platform	You have checked what the category removes and specifically want that data deleted

Cache, cookies, and history are separate categories. For a cache-only refresh, choose Cached images and files and inspect the other checkboxes before confirming. Data associated with a Google Account may have effects across signed-in devices, depending on the category and platform; consult Google’s platform-specific guidance.

If clearing the cache does not fix the page

Cache clearing addresses saved page files, but loading problems can also come from the connection, device software, browser configuration, or the website itself. Try these checks:

Check that the address is correct and that your internet connection works.
Update Chrome if an update is available, then restart the browser.
Try opening the page in an Incognito window. If it works there, an extension or stored browser data may be involved.
Check whether the problem affects other sites or only this site. If only one site fails, it may be experiencing an outage or maintenance.
If the page still fails, consult Google’s Chrome loading-error troubleshooting steps.

Clearing cache is one troubleshooting step, not proof that the site is healthy or a fix for every error.

Or skip the browser setup

If you need an image of a page for debugging or documentation, ScreenshotNeo can capture a website through one API request. For the full request options, see the ScreenshotNeo API documentation.

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

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}`);
await Bun.write('shot.webp', res);

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Troubleshooting common problems

Problem	Likely cause	What to do
You still see old content	The relevant time range or category may not have been selected, or the site may be serving old content itself	Repeat the steps with a range that includes the visit, confirm Cached images and files is selected, then reload. If it persists, check the site in Incognito and consult the site owner.
You were signed out or a site forgot a preference	Cookies or site data were selected along with cache	Sign in again and restore the site preference. Next time, inspect selections and leave cookies/site data unchecked for a cache-only deletion.
The page still will not load	The cause may be the network, Chrome, an extension, device software, or site availability rather than cached files	Check the connection, restart or update Chrome, try Incognito, and see if other sites load.
The menu labels do not match these steps	Chrome’s interface can vary by platform and version	Open Delete browsing data, find the category list, select cached images and files, and use the current confirmation control.
Chrome asks you to confirm deletion	The platform may use an additional confirmation screen	Review the selected categories and confirm only if they match what you intend to remove.

Performance, reliability, and storage notes

First visit after deletion: Chrome may need to download images and other cached files again, so the initial load can take longer.
Storage: Clearing cached files can free local storage, but the amount depends on what Chrome has stored.
Reliability: A cache refresh helps only when stale or problematic cached content is part of the cause. It cannot resolve a disconnected network or a site outage.
Scope: The time range controls which period of browsing data is included. Check the selected categories and range before confirming.

FAQ

How do I clear Chrome cache without deleting cookies?

In the browsing-data dialog, select Cached images and files only. Leave Cookies and site data unchecked, then confirm.

Will clearing cache delete saved passwords?

Cache is a separate category from passwords. Do not select password or other data categories unless you intend to delete them; review the options shown on your device.

Will clearing the cache make Chrome faster?

It can help with a page using stale or troublesome cached files, but it does not generally guarantee faster browsing. The first reload may take longer because files need to be downloaded again.

How often should I clear Chrome’s cache?

There is no fixed schedule required for the steps above. Clear it when troubleshooting a page or when you want to reclaim local storage, and choose only the data categories you mean to remove.