In short: The cache is a copy of website files your browser stores so pages open faster. To clear it in Chrome, Edge or Firefox on Windows press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (on Mac Command + Shift + Delete), choose All time, tick Cached images and files, and click clear. In Safari go to Settings, then Privacy, then Manage Website Data.
When do you need to clear the cache? #
- You changed your website but the changes do not show.
- A page looks broken, incomplete or will not load.
- After moving your site to new hosting or changing domain settings.
- When you see loading errors such as “Please unblock challenges.cloudflare.com to proceed”.
Quick fix before a full clear: try a hard refresh: Ctrl + F5 on Windows or Command + Shift + R on Mac. This reloads the current page from the website, bypassing the cache.
Clear the cache in Google Chrome #
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac), or from the menu (⋮) choose Delete browsing data.
- Set Time range to All time.
- Tick Cached images and files. Tick Cookies too only if you want to sign out of websites.
- Click Delete data.
Clear the cache in Microsoft Edge #
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, or from the menu (…) go to Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data.
- Set Time range to All time.
- Tick Cached images and files.
- Click Clear now.
Clear the cache in Mozilla Firefox #
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac).
- Set the time range to Everything.
- Tick Temporary cached files and pages (Cache).
- Click Clear.
Clear the cache in Safari on Mac #
- From the top menu choose Safari → Settings (Preferences in older versions).
- Open the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data.
- Click Remove All, then Remove Now.
To clear only the cache without cookies: enable the Develop menu in Settings → Advanced, then press Option + Command + E.
Clear the cache on mobile #
- Chrome on Android or iPhone: from the menu (⋮) choose History → Delete browsing data and tick Cached images and files.
- Safari on iPhone: open Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data.
Cache vs. cookies #
The cache stores copies of images and files to speed up websites; clearing it is safe and does not sign you out. Cookies keep you signed in and remember your preferences; clearing them signs you out of websites.
