How to clear browser cache and cookies

Updated: 03/10/2024 by Computer Hope
Internet browsers

By default, when you visit a website, your Internet browser stores temporary site data in the cache and cookies. This data is used to help the page load faster upon future visits and remember your preferences to make your browsing experience easier.

Sometimes, however, erasing browser cache and cookies is beneficial. For instance, they can cause issues on certain websites. Furthermore, clearing only the cache and cookies, rather than your history, lets you "refresh" your browser without forgetting the sites you've visited. Select your browser from the list below and follow the instructions to proceed.

Tip

Most browsers today support the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Del to open the clear history settings.

Google Chrome logo

Google Chrome

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
  2. Click the Chrome settings icon in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  3. In the drop-down menu, select Settings.

Chrome menu Settings selector.

  1. On the left side of the screen, click the Privacy and security option.

Privacy and security selector.

  1. In the Privacy and security section, click the Clear browsing data selector.

Clear browsing data selector.

  1. In the window that opens, click the Advanced tab.
  2. Select the Time range you'd like to clear data (A). Then, check only the box next to Cookies and other site data (B). Finally, click the Clear data button (C).

Clear cookies and other site data.

Firefox logo

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
  2. Click the menu icon Firefox menu in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  3. In the drop-down menu, select Settings.
  4. In the new window, click the Privacy & Security option in the left navigation pane.

Privacy and security selector.

  1. In the Cookies and Site Data section, click the Clear Data button.

Clear data button

  1. In the prompt, make sure both boxes are checked and click the Clear button.

Clearing cache and cookies in Firefox.

  1. In the next prompt, click Clear Now.

Clear now button

Microsoft Edge logo

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
  2. Click the Settings and more icon Microsoft Edge More menu in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  3. In the drop-down menu, near the bottom, select Settings.

Settings selector in Edge.

  1. Under the Settings section on the left, click Privacy, search, and services.

Privacy, search, and services selector

  1. Near the top of the Privacy, search, and services window, under the Clear browsing data section, click the Choose what to clear button.

Choose what to clear button in Edge.

  1. In the prompt, set the Time range to All time. Then, make sure the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files are checked, then click the Clear now button.

Clearing the cache and cookies in Edge.

Safari logo

Safari

  1. Open the Safari browser.
  2. Select Safari selector from the menu bar in the top-left corner of the screen.
  3. Select Settings... from the drop-down menu.

Safari Settings selector.

  1. Click the Privacy tab (A), and then the Manage Website Data button (B).

Manage website data in Safari.

  1. In the new window, click the Remove All button.

Remove all cache and cookies button.

  1. Confirm your choice in the prompt by clicking the Remove Now button.

Remove now button

  1. Click the Done button in the previous window.

Done button

Opera logo

Opera

  1. Open the Opera browser.
  2. Click the Opera menu button button in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  3. In the drop-down menu, near the bottom, select Settings.

Settings selector

  1. On the left side of the tab, click Privacy & security.

Privacy selector in Opera

  1. In the Privacy and security section, click the Clear browsing data selector.

Clear browsing data selector in Opera

  1. In the window that opens, click the Advanced tab.
  2. Select the Time range you want to clear data (A). Then, check only the box next to Cookies and other site data (B). Finally, click the Clear data button (C).

Clear cookies and other site data in Opera