What clearing your cache does and why you might want to
Cache is temporary data your browser and programs store on your computer to load websites and apps faster the next time you visit them. When you clear it, you delete those stored files — which frees up disk space, can speed up a slow computer, and removes a record of where you've been online.
Most people clear cache for one of three reasons: their computer is running slowly and they want to reclaim storage space, they want to remove browsing history that cache files preserve even after you think you've deleted it, or a website isn't loading correctly and a fresh cache might fix it. Cache clearing won't harm your computer or programs — the files will rebuild automatically as you use your browser.
The steps differ depending on which browser you use and which operating system runs your computer. The process takes two to five minutes and requires no special tools.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is temporary data stored to make websites load faster, and clearing it frees up storage space on your computer.
- The steps to clear cache are different for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, and you should follow the steps for whichever browser you actually use.
- You can set your browser to clear cache automatically when you close it, so you don't have to do it manually each time.
- Clearing cache will not delete your saved passwords or permanently signed-in accounts unless you specifically choose those options.
How to clear cache in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu that appears. On the left side, click "Privacy and security," then click "Clear browsing data."
A window will open with checkboxes for different types of data. Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked — this is your cache. At the top, use the dropdown menu that says "All time" to choose how far back you want to clear (you can pick "All time" to clear everything, or "Last hour," "Last 24 hours," "Last 7 days," "Last 4 weeks," or "Last 90 days"). Click the blue "Clear data" button at the bottom right.
Chrome will clear the cache in a few seconds. You'll see a message confirming it's done. Your browser will now load websites fresh the next time you visit them.
How to clear cache in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Click "Settings," then select "Privacy & Security" from the left sidebar. Under "Cookies and Site Data," click the "Clear Data" button.
A small window will appear. Make sure "Cached Web Content" is checked. You can leave "Cookies and Site Data" checked too if you want to clear both at once, or uncheck it if you only want to clear cache. Click "Clear" to finish.
Firefox will clear the selected data immediately. The next time you visit a website, Firefox will load it fresh rather than from cache.
How to clear cache in Safari
Open Safari and click "Safari" in the top menu bar (not in the address bar — in the actual menu). Click "Settings" or "Preferences" depending on your macOS version. Click the "Privacy" tab at the top.
Click "Manage Website Data" on the right side. You'll see a list of websites that have stored data on your computer. To clear all of it, click "Remove All" at the bottom right. To remove only specific websites, click on a website name and then click "Remove."
If you want to clear cache but keep cookies (which store login information), this method clears both together. Safari doesn't offer a separate cache-only option like Chrome and Firefox do.
How to clear cache in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Click "Settings," then select "Privacy, search, and services" from the left menu. Under "Clear browsing data," click "Choose what to clear."
A window will open. Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked. Use the time range dropdown at the top to choose how far back to clear. Click "Clear now" to finish.
Edge will clear the cache in a few seconds. Like Chrome, Edge lets you choose a specific time range rather than clearing everything at once.
Set your browser to clear cache automatically
If you want to clear cache without doing it manually each time, you can set your browser to clear it automatically when you close it. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome, then toggle it on. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data and check "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed."
In Safari, go to Settings > Privacy and uncheck "Prevent cross-site tracking" if you want Safari to clear tracking data, though Safari doesn't have a simple "clear on close" toggle like the others. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services and toggle on "Clear browsing data" under "Clear browsing data."
Once you turn this on, your browser will automatically delete cache every time you close it completely. This means your browser will run slightly slower the first time you visit a website after closing and reopening, since it has to load fresh data instead of using stored cache.
What cache clearing will and won't remove
Clearing cache removes temporary files that websites store on your computer, but it does not delete your browsing history, saved passwords, or autofill information unless you specifically check those boxes when clearing. If you want to keep your passwords saved but clear cache, make sure only "Cached images and files" is checked.
Cache clearing also won't sign you out of websites where you've chosen "stay signed in" — those use cookies, which are separate from cache. If you want to remove those too, you'll need to check "Cookies" or "Cookies and site data" when you clear.
When to clear cache and what to expect
Clear cache if your computer is running slowly, if a website isn't displaying correctly, or if you want to free up storage space. On most computers, cache takes up between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes depending on how long it's been since you last cleared it and how much you browse.
After clearing cache, websites will load slightly slower the first time you visit them because your browser has to download fresh data instead of using stored files. This slowdown is usually only noticeable on slower internet connections. After that first visit, your browser will cache the files again and load the site normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords?
No, not unless you specifically check the box for passwords or credentials when clearing. Cache and passwords are stored separately. If you only check "Cached images and files," your saved passwords will remain.
Can I clear cache for just one website instead of everything?
Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can click on a website in the "Cookies and site data" or "Website data" list and remove just that one. In Safari, click "Manage Website Data," find the site, and click "Remove." This is useful if one website is misbehaving but you want to keep cache for others.
How much space will clearing cache free up?
It varies widely depending on your browsing habits. Most people free up between 100 megabytes and 2 gigabytes. You can see how much cache you have before clearing by checking your browser's storage settings — Chrome and Edge show this in Privacy and security settings.
Will clearing cache fix a website that won't load?
Sometimes. If a website is displaying old or broken content, clearing cache forces your browser to download fresh files. If the problem is with your internet connection or the website's server, clearing cache won't help. It's worth trying, though, since it takes only a minute.
Do I need to clear cache on my phone too?
The same principle applies to phones, but the steps are different for iOS and Android. On iPhone, you clear Safari cache in Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. On Android, it depends on your browser — in Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data. Phone cache usually takes up less space than computer cache.