How to Clear a Browser Cache (all Browser)

Many errors can be solved with this quick troubleshooting step.

Article Contents:

Chrome
Firefox
Edge
Safari
Opera

Chrome: Clear Browsing Data

Assuming you use a keyboard, the quickest way to the Clear browsing data window in Google Chrome is by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Del (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac).

If you aren't into keyboard shortcuts, here's how to clear the Chrome browser cache on your computer:

Select the three-dotted menu button in the upper-right corner of Chrome and select Settings in the drop-down menu.
Choose Advanced at the bottom of the page.
Select Clear browsing data.
Check the box next to Cached images and files.

Also choose All time from the Time range option at the top to make sure you get everything.
Choose Clear data.

You can find more details about clearing browsing data in Chrome on Google's support website.

Firefox: Clear Recent History

In Mozilla's Firefox browser, you clear the cache from the Clear Recent History or Clear Data area.

The Ctrl+Shift+Del (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac) keyboard shortcut is the fastest way to open the Clear Recent History screen, which looks like this:

Don't forget to choose Everything from the Time range to clear options, assuming that's your intent.

To get to the Clear Data screen through the menus, do this:

In Firefox's menu button (the three-lined hamburger icon), select Options.
Choose Privacy & Security from the left.
Select Clear Data in the Cookies and Site Data area.

If you scroll down a bit and choose Clear History, you'll get to the same screen that the shortcut above takes you to.
In the Clear Data screen that opens, select Cached Web Content.
Choose Clear.

Safari: Empty Caches

In Apple's Safari browser on a Mac, clearing the cache is done via the Develop menu. Just select Develop in the Safari menu bar and then choose Empty Caches.

Safari window showing Develop > Empty Caches

You can also clear the cache in Safari on a Mac using the Option+Command+E keyboard shortcut.

If you don't see Develop on your Safari menu bar, enable it via Safari > Preferences > Advanced, followed by selecting Show Develop menu in menu bar.

Opera: Clear Browsing Data

In Opera, clearing the cache is done via the Clear browsing data section that's part of Settings.

The fastest way to bring up the Clear browsing data window is via the Ctrl+Shift+Del (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac) keyboard shortcut.

Otherwise:

Select the Settings icon, which looks like three sliders in the upper-right corner of the browser.
Scroll down and choose Clear browsing data.
Opera automatically selects all items you can delete, including Cached Images and Files. Click Clear Data to remove the information.

You can find detailed instructions on how to clear the cache on Opera's website.

Be sure to choose All time at the top to erase everything.

Edge: Clear Browsing Data

Clearing the cache in Microsoft Edge is done via the Clear browsing data menu.

The fastest way to the Clear browsing data menu is via the Ctrl+Shift+Del keyboard shortcut.

Here's another option:

Open Microsoft Edge and select the three-dotted menu button at the top of the screen.
Select Settings.
Go to Privacy and services.

If you don't see these options, open the menu from the button at the top left of this screen.
Select Choose What to Clear.
Select the items you want to delete and then choose Clear now.

Back to Top