How to Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies

When a website refuses to load properly, keeps showing an old version of a page or won’t let you log in, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies is often the fix. It only takes a minute, and it works in much the same way whichever browser you use. Here is what these files are and how to remove them safely.

What the Cache and Cookies Actually Do

The cache is a store of images, scripts and page parts your browser saves so sites load faster next time. When a site changes, the stored copy can clash with the new version and cause glitches. Cookies are small files websites use to remember you, such as keeping you signed in, saving your shopping basket or tracking your browsing for advertising.

Clearing the cache is harmless; pages may load a little slower the first time afterwards. Clearing cookies will sign you out of most websites, so make sure you know your passwords or have them in a password manager first.

Clearing Them on a Computer

1. Open your browser and go to its settings, usually through the three-dot, three-line or browser-name menu.
2. Look for a section called Privacy, Privacy and security or History. A keyboard shortcut also works in most browsers on Windows: Ctrl + Shift + Delete. On a Mac, try Command + Shift + Delete, or find the option in the browser’s main menu.
3. Choose Clear browsing data or Clear history.
4. Pick a time range. “Last hour” is enough to fix a problem with a page you just visited; “All time” gives a full clean.
5. Tick the boxes for cached images and files, and for cookies and site data. Untick browsing history or saved passwords if you want to keep them.
6. Confirm, then close and reopen the browser.

Clearing Them on a Phone or Tablet

1. For a browser app, open it and tap the menu, then go to settings and find the privacy or history section.
2. Select the option to clear browsing data, choose a time range and select cache and cookies.
3. On some phones the built-in browser is managed from the main settings app instead. Scroll to the browser’s name in your settings list and look for an option to clear history and website data.

Fixing a Single Website Instead

If only one site is misbehaving, you do not need to wipe everything. Most desktop browsers let you click the padlock or site-information icon beside the web address and choose to clear that site’s cookies and data. You can also try a hard refresh, which reloads the page while skipping the cache: Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows, and Command + Shift + R on a Mac.

Good Habits Going Forward

• Try a private or incognito window first; if a site works there, stored data is likely the culprit.
• Consider setting your browser to delete cookies automatically when you close it, if you share a computer.
• Block third-party cookies in privacy settings to reduce cross-site tracking.
• Keep your browser updated, as updates often fix loading bugs too.