Learning how to clear website cache can fix a surprising number of everyday browsing problems. If a page looks old, a button does not work, or a site keeps showing you yesterday’s news, the problem is often not your internet connection. It is a saved copy of the page sitting in your browser, and clearing it takes only a few minutes once you know where to look.
This guide explains what browser cache is in plain words, shows you a quick hard refresh to try first, and then gives step-by-step instructions for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on a computer, plus Chrome on Android and Safari on iPhone. It also explains the difference between cache and cookies, so you know exactly what you will lose, and what to try when clearing the cache does not fix the problem.
What Is Browser Cache?
When you visit a website, your browser saves parts of it on your device. These saved parts are called the cache. They can include images, page layouts, fonts, and small files that help the page load. The next time you visit the same site, your browser loads some of those saved parts instead of downloading everything again, which usually makes the page open faster and use less data.
Cache is meant to be helpful, and most of the time it is. It only becomes a problem when the website changes but your browser keeps showing the older saved version. Think of it like a photograph of a shop window: it is useful until the shop changes its display, and then the photograph no longer matches what is really there.
Why a Website Can Look Outdated or Broken
A website can change often. A store may update its prices, a news site may publish a new story, or a designer may change the colors and layout. If your browser still holds the old files, you may see the old design, missing images, or a page that does not respond when you click a button. You may also see an error message, or a login page that will not let you sign in even though your details are correct.
This is also why a site can look fine on your phone but broken on your computer, or fine for a friend but wrong for you. Each device and each browser keeps its own cache, so the problem follows the browser, not the website itself. If the site works in a different browser, or in a private window, an old cache is a likely cause. It is also worth remembering that websites need continuous improvement, so regular updates are normal, and a browser holding old files will eventually fall behind.
Before you clear anything, try a hard refresh. A hard refresh tells your browser to download a fresh copy of the current page, while leaving the rest of your saved cache alone. It is quick, harmless, and often enough to fix a single page that looks outdated.
Try a Hard Refresh First
| Device | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Windows (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) | Ctrl + Shift + R, or Ctrl + F5 |
| Mac (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) | Cmd + Shift + R |
| Mac (Safari) | Empty caches first with Cmd + Option + E, then refresh with Cmd + R |
Hold the keys down together while the page is open, then wait for it to reload. If the page now looks correct, you are done. If it still looks old or broken, clear the cache for that site first, or for all sites, using the steps below.
How to Clear Website Cache in Chrome
Clear the Cache for One Site in Chrome
- Open the website that is causing trouble.
- Click the small icon to the left of the address bar, next to the site address.
- Choose Site settings.
- Click Clear data, then confirm when Chrome asks you.
- Go back to the site and reload the page.
Clearing data for one site removes its saved files without touching your other websites. You may need to sign in to that site again, but your other sites should stay as they were.
Clear the Cache for All Sites in Chrome
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and choose Settings.
- Choose Privacy and security, then Delete browsing data.
- Tick Cached images and files.
- Set the time range to All time for a full clear, or Last hour if the problem only started recently.
- Leave Cookies and other site data unticked if you do not want to be signed out of sites.
- Click Delete data, then reload the page.
How to Clear Website Cache in Edge
Clear the Cache for One Site in Edge
- Open Edge and go to Settings, then Cookies and site permissions.
- Choose Manage and delete cookies and site data, then See all cookies and site data.
- Search for the website name in the search box.
- Click the trash or delete icon next to that site, then confirm.
- Reload the website.
Clear the Cache for All Sites in Edge
- Click the three-dot menu and choose Settings.
- Choose Privacy, search, and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
- Tick Cached images and files, and choose All time as the time range.
- Click Clear now.
How to Clear Website Cache in Firefox
Clear the Cache for One Site in Firefox
- Click the menu button and choose Settings.
- Choose Privacy and Security.
- Under Cookies and Site Data, click Manage Data.
- Search for the website, select it, and click Remove Selected.
- Click Save Changes, then reload the site.
Clear the Cache for All Sites in Firefox
- Click the menu button and choose Settings.
- Choose Privacy and Security.
- Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data.
- Tick Cached Web Content, and untick Cookies and Site Data if you want to stay signed in.
- Click Clear, then reload the page.
How to Clear Website Cache in Safari on a Mac
Clear the Cache for One Site in Safari
- Open Safari and choose Safari, then Settings (or Preferences in older versions).
- Click the Privacy tab, then Manage Website Data.
- Search for the website name.
- Select the site and click Remove, then click Done.
- Reload the website.
Clear the Cache for All Sites in Safari
- Open Safari and choose Safari, then Settings.
- Click the Advanced tab and tick Show Develop menu in menu bar, if it is not already on.
- Click Develop in the menu bar, then choose Empty Caches.
- Reload the page you were having trouble with.
Emptying caches in Safari clears saved page files but does not clear your history or your saved passwords. If only one site is a problem, the Manage Website Data route is the more careful choice.
How to Clear Website Cache on Your Phone
Chrome on Android
- Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu.
- Tap Delete browsing data, or go to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Delete browsing data.
- Tick Cached images and files.
- Choose a time range, such as All time for a full clear.
- Tap Delete data, then reload the site.
Safari on iPhone
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Safari.
- For one site, tap Advanced, then Website Data. Find the site, swipe left, and tap Delete, or tap Remove All Website Data for a full clear from this screen.
- For everything at once, go back and tap Clear History and Website Data. Note that this also clears your browsing history.
- Return to Safari and reload the site.
Cache vs Cookies: What Each One Does
Cache and cookies are often mentioned together, but they do different jobs. Cache stores page material so sites load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information about you and your visit, such as whether you are signed in, what is in your shopping cart, and which language you chose.
| What you clear | What it stores | What you lose |
|---|---|---|
| Cache | Images, layouts, and page files | Nothing personal. Pages may load slowly once, then speed up again. |
| Cookies | Sign-ins, carts, and site preferences | You may be signed out, and sites may forget your preferences. |
| History | The list of pages you visited | Your address bar will no longer suggest those past pages. |
The simple rule is this: if a page looks old or broken, clear the cache first. Only clear cookies as well if you are still stuck, or if a site will not let you sign in, and you are happy to sign in again afterwards.
When Clearing the Cache Does Not Fix the Problem
Clearing the cache fixes many display problems, but not all of them. If the page still looks wrong after a full clear, try the site in a different browser, or in a private or incognito window. If it works there, an extension in your usual browser may be causing the trouble. Turn your extensions off one at a time and test again.
Second, check whether the problem is with your connection rather than the browser. Restart your router, or try the site on mobile data instead of Wi-Fi. If every device in your home has the same problem, the issue may be with your connection or router settings rather than any one browser. Third, check whether the website itself is down. Search for the site name plus words like down or outage, or ask a friend to try the same page.
Finally, some sites use their own server cache, which you cannot clear from your browser. The site owner has to update or clear it on their side, and the problem usually clears on its own within a few hours. For most readers, though, the steps in this guide are enough: try a hard refresh, clear one site, and only clear everything if you need to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing website cache delete my passwords?
No. Clearing the cache removes saved page files, not your saved passwords. You may need to sign in again if you also clear cookies, but your browser or password manager will still hold your passwords.
How often should I clear website cache?
Only when you need to. There is no need to clear it every day. Do it when a site looks outdated, a page will not load properly, or a button stops working after a site update.
Is a hard refresh the same as clearing the cache?
No. A hard refresh downloads a fresh copy of just the page you are viewing. Clearing the cache removes saved files for one site or for all sites, which is a stronger step.
Will clearing the cache sign me out of websites?
Clearing only the cache usually does not sign you out. Clearing cookies will sign you out of most sites, so leave cookies unticked if you want to stay signed in.
Why does a site still look old after I cleared the cache?
The site may use its own server cache, an extension may be interfering, or the problem may be with your connection. Try a different browser, turn extensions off, and check whether the site works on another device.
