Clearing your Cache

Clearing your Cache

Clearing your web browser’s cache is a simple yet effective way to resolve many common browsing issues, such as slow performance, pages not loading correctly, or web applications like Banner not working. Cached data helps websites load faster, but over time it can become corrupted or outdated, leading to unexpected behavior. This guide will walk you through clearing your cache in the most commonly used browsers.

Google Chrome

Firefox

Microsoft Edge

Safari

 

Google Chrome

1. Start by clicking the three dots in the top right hand corner and go to Settings

Screenshot of the Google Chrome menu opened from the three-dot Customize and control Google Chrome button in the upper-right corner of the browser window. A red arrow points to the three-dot menu button, indicating where users should click to open the menu. Within the menu, a red rectangle highlights the Settings option near the bottom of the list. Other menu items, such as New tab, New window, History, Downloads, Extensions, and Passwords and autofill, are also visible. The screenshot demonstrates how to access Chrome Settings.

 

2. Click on Privacy and security

Screenshot of the Google Chrome Settings page. The left navigation pane displays categories such as You and Google, Autofill and passwords, Privacy and security, Performance, AI innovations, Appearance, Search engine, Default browser, and On startup. A red rectangle highlights the Privacy and security option, indicating where users should click to access Chrome's privacy, security, and site settings. The selected option is shown with a blue shield icon and a light blue background.

 

3. Click on Delete browsing data

Screenshot of the Google Chrome Privacy and security settings page. A red rectangle highlights the Delete browsing data option at the top of the page. The option includes a description stating that it can be used to delete browsing history, cookies, cache, and other browsing data. Additional privacy and security settings are listed below, including Privacy Guide, Third-party cookies, Ad privacy, Security, and Site settings. The screenshot demonstrates where to access Chrome's browsing data deletion tools.

 

4. On the window that appears, change the Time Frame to All time and click Delete from this device

Screenshot of the Google Chrome Delete browsing data dialog. The All time time range option is selected and underlined in red, indicating that all available browsing data will be removed. Several data categories are selected, including Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, and Download history. A red rectangle highlights the Delete from this device button in the lower-right corner of the window, showing where users should click to clear the selected browsing data. A Cancel button is located to the left of the delete button.

 

5. Close and re-open your browser

 

Firefox

1. Start by clicking on the three lines in the top-right hand corner and clicking on Settings

Screenshot of the Mozilla Firefox application menu. A red arrow points to the Application Menu button (three horizontal lines) in the upper-right corner of the browser window, indicating where users should click to open the menu. Within the expanded menu, a red rectangle highlights the Settings option near the bottom of the list. Other menu options, including New tab, New window, History, Downloads, Passwords, Extensions and themes, and More tools, are also visible. The screenshot demonstrates how to access Firefox Settings.

 

2. Click on Privacy & Security 

Screenshot of the Mozilla Firefox Settings page navigation menu. The left sidebar displays categories including General, Home, Search, Privacy & Security, Sync, Firefox Labs, and More from Mozilla. A red rectangle highlights the Privacy & Security option, indicating where users should click to access Firefox settings related to browsing history, cookies, site permissions, tracking protection, and other privacy and security controls. The selected option is shown in blue text with a blue lock icon.

3. Scroll down until you see Cookies and Site Data and click on Clear Data

Screenshot of the Mozilla Firefox Privacy & Security settings page, focused on the Cookies and Site Data section. A red underline highlights the Cookies and Site Data heading, which explains that stored cookies, site data, and cached web content are using disk space. On the right side, a red rectangle highlights the Clear Data... button, indicating where users should click to remove cookies, site data, and cached content. Additional options, including Manage Data... and Manage Exceptions..., are displayed below the highlighted button. A checkbox option to delete cookies and site data when Firefox closes is also visible.

4. Change the When drop down to Everything and click Clear

Screenshot of the Mozilla Firefox Clear browsing data and cookies dialog. The When drop-down menu is set to Everything, and a red underline highlights this selection to indicate that all available browsing data will be removed. Several data categories are selected, including Browsing & download history, Cookies and site data, and Temporary cached files and pages. Additional options for Saved form info and Site settings are visible but not selected. A warning message states that all selected items will be cleared and that the action cannot be undone. A red rectangle highlights the Clear button in the lower-right corner, indicating where users should click to delete the selected browsing data. A Cancel button appears beside it.

5. Restart your browser

 

 

Microsoft Edge

1. Click on the three dots in the top right hand corner and go to Settings

Screenshot of the Microsoft Edge browser menu. A red arrow points to the Settings and more button (three horizontal dots) in the upper-right corner of the browser window, indicating where users should click to open the menu. Within the expanded menu, a red rectangle highlights the Settings option near the bottom of the list. Other menu options, including New tab, New window, InPrivate window, History, Downloads, Extensions, Passwords, and Delete browsing data, are also visible. The screenshot demonstrates how to access Microsoft Edge Settings.

 

2. Click on Privacy, search, and services

Screenshot of the Microsoft Edge Settings page. The left navigation pane displays categories including Profiles, Passwords and autofill, Privacy, search, and services, Appearance, Default browser, Languages, Downloads, Accessibility, System and performance, Reset settings, and Extensions. A red rectangle highlights the Privacy, search, and services option, indicating where users should click to access Edge settings related to browsing data, privacy controls, tracking prevention, security settings, and search preferences. The selected option is shown with a blue lock icon.

 

3. Click on Clear browsing data

Screenshot of the Microsoft Edge Privacy, search, and services settings page. A red rectangle highlights the Clear browsing data button near the top of the page, indicating where users should click to manage or remove browsing data. Below the highlighted button are additional privacy-related settings, including Tracking prevention, Clear browsing data, Privacy, Security, and Cookies. The screenshot demonstrates how to access Edge's browsing data deletion options.

 

4. Change the Time range to All time and click Clear now

Screenshot of the Microsoft Edge Delete browsing data dialog. The Time range drop-down menu is set to All time, and a red underline highlights this selection to indicate that all available browsing data will be removed. Several data categories are selected, including Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files. Additional options, such as Passwords, are visible but not selected. A red rectangle highlights the Clear now button in the lower-right corner of the dialog, indicating where users should click to delete the selected browsing data. A Cancel button appears to the left of the highlighted button.

 

5. Restart your browser

 

 

Safari

1. On the top Menu bar click Safari and go to Settings

Screenshot of the Safari menu on macOS with the Safari menu expanded from the menu bar. A red rectangle highlights the Settings... option, indicating where users should click to open Safari settings. Other menu options visible in the drop-down menu include About Safari, Safari Extensions, Privacy Report, Clear History, Create Profile, and Quit Safari. The screenshot demonstrates how to access Safari Settings from the Safari menu

 

2. Click on Privacy  and Manage Website Data

Screenshot of the Safari Privacy settings tab on macOS. A red arrow points to the Privacy tab in the settings toolbar, indicating where users should click to access privacy settings. The Privacy pane displays options such as Prevent cross-site tracking and Hide IP address from trackers, both of which are enabled. A red rectangle highlights the Manage Website Data... button, which allows users to view and remove cookies, cached files, and other website data stored by Safari. Additional privacy-related settings and navigation tabs are visible within the Safari Settings window.

 

3. Click Remove all

 

4. Click Remove Now

Screenshot of a Safari confirmation dialog asking whether the user wants to remove all stored website data. The dialog displays the Safari compass logo at the top and the message: "Are you sure you want to remove all data stored by the 5 displayed websites on your computer?" Additional text warns that the action cannot be undone. Two buttons appear at the bottom of the dialog: Cancel and Remove Now. A red rectangle highlights the Remove Now button, indicating where users should click to delete the selected website data.

 

5. Click Done and restart Safari

Screenshot of a Safari Manage Website Data window after website data has been removed. The main panel displays the message "No Saved Website Data," indicating that there are no remaining website cookies, cache files, or stored site data. A search field is visible in the upper-right corner of the window. At the bottom, the Remove and Remove All buttons are disabled because no website data remains. A red rectangle highlights the Done button in the lower-right corner, indicating where users should click to close the window and finish the process.

 

 

 

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