Knowledge Base

Clear Browser Cache in Chrome and Edge: Step-by-Step Guide

In short: To clear browser cache means deleting the copies of pages, images and files your browser stores on your computer so that sites open faster. If you cannot see a change you made to your website or a page looks broken, clearing the cache first often solves it. Google Chrome uses the Delete browsing data dialog and Microsoft Edge uses Clear browsing data.

Browsers keep parts of the sites you visit locally; in Google's words, this helps pages open faster on your next visit. But after you update your site, change the theme or logo, or complete a move from HTTP to HTTPS, the browser may keep showing the old copy. The steps in this guide were verified against Google's and Microsoft's official help pages.

Why the cache causes problems

An old CSS or image file left in the cache loads instead of the new version on the server. You know you made the change, yet the page looks old or the layout breaks. When you clear the cache, the browser requests the files from the server again and shows the current version.

• Cached images and files: copies of pages; clearing them does not sign you out.
• Cookies and other site data: sign-in info and preferences; clearing them signs you out of most sites.

If you only want to see the current page, the first option is usually enough. If you have sign-in or session problems, you may need to clear cookies too.

Clear the cache in Google Chrome (computer)

These steps follow Google Chrome Help: Delete browsing data in Chrome.

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More (three dots) and then Delete browsing data.
3. Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
4. Tick Cached images and files. If you also want to be signed out, select Cookies and other site data as well.
5. To confirm, select Delete data.

Shortcut: type "Delete browsing data" in the address bar and tap the action chip to reach the same dialog. If you are signed in to Chrome with your Google Account, deleted data is also removed from your other devices and your account.

Clear the cache in Microsoft Edge

These steps follow Microsoft Support: View and delete browser history in Microsoft Edge.

1. Select Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
2. Select Clear browsing data, then select Choose what to clear next to Clear browsing data now.
3. Under Time range, choose a range from the drop-down menu.
4. Tick Cached images and files; add Cookies and other site data if needed.
5. Select Clear now.

If sync is on in Edge, synced items are cleared across all synced devices. To clear only the device you are using, first go to Settings > Profiles > Sync and select Turn off sync.

I cleared the cache and the site still looks old

The browser cache is not the only layer. If the problem persists, work through this order:

1. Open the page in a private or incognito window; if it looks current there, the issue is local, so repeat the clean-up with the all-time range.
2. If you use a caching plugin on a system such as WordPress, clear the plugin's own cache.
3. If a CDN sits in front of your site, its cache may need to be purged as well.
4. If the change still does not show, check that the file was really uploaded to the server.

If the site is generally slow, the cause may lie elsewhere; our guide on why your website is slow lists the usual causes. For WordPress sites, server-side settings are covered in our WordPress speed optimization article. If the problem continues after these steps, open a support ticket; adding the page URL and a screenshot speeds up the fix.

Clearing the cache is safe: saved passwords are not deleted unless you select them. Remember, though, that clearing cookies means signing in to sites again.

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