How to Clear Your Browsing History and Cache

Clearing your browser's cache and history can fix website loading problems and free up storage space.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Understand why clearing your cache helps
2.Clear the cache in Google Chrome
3.Clear the cache in Microsoft Edge or Firefox
4.Know what to expect after clearing
5.Try private browsing for a quick alternative

Understand why clearing your cache helps

~27s

Your browser saves copies of websites you visit (things like images and page layouts) so they load faster next time. This saved data is called the "cache." Over time, these saved copies can become outdated and cause websites to look wrong, load slowly, or show old information. Clearing the cache forces your browser to download fresh copies of everything.

Quick Tip

If a website looks broken or will not load properly, clearing your cache is one of the first things to try.

Clear the cache in Google Chrome

~23s

Hold down the Ctrl key, then hold the Shift key, then press the Delete key (all three together: Ctrl+Shift+Del). A window called "Clear browsing data" will open. At the top, change the time range to "All time" if you want a full clear. Make sure these three boxes are checked: "Browsing history," "Cookies and other site data," and "Cached images and files." Then click the blue "Clear data" button.

Clear the cache in Microsoft Edge or Firefox

~24s

In Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+Del. Check the same boxes as Chrome (history, cookies, cached files) and click "Clear now." In Mozilla Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+Del. Choose "Everything" from the time range dropdown at the top. Check all the boxes and click "OK." On a Mac using Safari, click the History menu at the top of the screen, then click "Clear History." Choose "all history" from the dropdown and click "Clear History."

Know what to expect after clearing

~26s

After you clear your cache, websites may load a little slower the first time you visit them — this is normal because your browser needs to download everything fresh. You will also be logged out of most websites, so have your passwords ready before you start. Any pages that were not loading correctly should now work properly.

Warning

You will be signed out of most websites after clearing your cache and cookies. Make sure you know your passwords before you begin.

Try private browsing for a quick alternative

~24s

If you do not want to clear your entire cache, you can open a private browsing window instead. In Chrome or Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+N. In Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+P. In this special window, nothing is saved — no history, no cache, no cookies. It is useful when you want to visit a website without leaving any trace. For more help, visit support.google.com/chrome/answer/2392709 for Chrome or search YouTube for "How to clear browser cache."

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