Clearing browser cache is easy! It will take just a minute, you just need to know how to do it properly.
When you type in a website address, the browser will show the information you request. It happens in the blink of an eye. On the surface, you just see a user interface. But, there is more than meets the eye. One of the things that work underground is caching.
How browser cache works
Caching is a way to handle data from previous requests. A cache is a place where data is temporarily stored.
When a browser requests content from a server, the content is stored in the cache, which may contain hundreds or thousands of files. When the browser needs the same content, it won’t contact the server again, but simply get it from the cache. This process repeatedly happens in the same situation.
But, in different cases, the content saved in the cache can become outdated. It might be because either the content has expired or the server has the most recent version of the content. In that case, the cache might not work properly.
Why do we need to clear browser cache?
All good things must come to an end, so does cache.
When the content of a website is updated, the cache of the browser only has the old version in the cache. If the browser requests the same information from the website, the cache will work. It will serve the same speed, but it won’t be effective. Why? The content is outdated and isn’t exactly what you want. Instead, you will most certainly encounter errors in your browser’s page. The errors may be related to the appearance like button missing, or access problem like runtime error.
If that happens, clear your browser cache.
How to clear browser cache
Now let’s jump into the details on how to clear your cache. Don’t be nervous. We will do one device at a time, from desktop browsers to mobile browsers.
Google Chrome
Launch Google Chrome. Click on the three-dotted menu icon in the upper right corner. Highlight More tools to find Clear browsing data. A window will then pop-up. You can also shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Del (Command+Shift+Delete for Macs) to open the same window.
There are two options: Basic and Advanced. As long as Cached images and files is ticked, you are good to go. Choose your time range: Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, All Time. Click on Clear data, and that’s it.
Mozilla Firefox
For Firefox the process is almost the same. Click on the three-line menu on the upper right corner. Find Library, click on it to open History. Look for Clear Recent History and click on it to open the pop-up window. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+Del (Command+Shift+Delete for Macs) will also work the same here.
Make sure Cache is checked, choose your Time range to clear from Last Hour, Last Two Hours, Last Four Hours, Today, and Everything. Then, click on Clear data.
Opera
Opera’s menu location is different. It is at the upper-left corner, the red Opera icon. The menu will show up after you click on the icon. Then, go to History and highlight it to open Clear browsing data. A window will then pop-up. Ctrl+Shift+Del (Command+Shift+Delete for Macs) will also do the tricks.
Like Chrome, you have Basic and Advanced option. If cached images and files is checked, choose your time range, click Clear data.
Microsoft Edge
Three browsers above are for any operating systems, but Microsoft Edge is for Windows 10 only.
You can open Settings by clicking the three-dot menu on the upper-right corner of the browser, it is located in the bottom. Then, on Clear browser data menu, click Choose what to clear. Cached data and files should be ticked. Click Clear.
Safari
Safari is for only Mac, the default for Macbook and iMac.
After launching Safari, the top bar of your Mac will show you Safari, on the right side of Apple logo. At the same time, you will see menus, one of them is History. Simply click Clear History. A pop-up window will come out, then you can choose the last hour, today, today and yesterday, all history. Then click Clear History.
Another step is by opening Preferences, then click Advanced. At the bottom, you can tick option Show Develop menu in menu bar. You will find Develop menu at the top bar whenever you open Safari. Clicking on it will make you find Empty Caches. That’s it.
Chrome for Android
Most Android devices are bundled with Chrome as their browser.
At the top right of the browser, go to More by clicking the three-dot icon. You will find History, tap on it and then choose Clear browsing data. Choose the time range that you want. Make sure you check Cookies and site data and Cached images and files. Then, just tap Clear data.
Firefox for Android
To clear the cache on Firefox for Android, you can start by tapping menu icon at the upper-right corner. Tap Settings, and you will be taken to Settings page. Under Privacy and Security, choose Clear private data. Make sure that from the list that emerges, you check Cookies and active logins and cache. Finally, tap Clear data.
Opera Browser
Almost identical to the desktop browser, tap the red Opera icon on the bottom of the browser for a start. There will be more options on the pop-up menu, choose gear icon. You will see that General menu has Clear browsing data option. Tap on it. A window will then come out, make sure you check clear cookies and data, then tap OK.
Safari for iOS
Exclusively for iPhone and iPad, Safari for iOS gives an easy way to clear cache.
Open Settings on your devices, then find Safari, tap on it. Swipe down as far as finding Clear History and Website Data. A window will pop-up. Tap Clear History and Data.
Conclusion
Browser cache can improve loading time, but, may cause problems when it becomes outdated. That said, clearing a cache is all you need to do, to make your browser run well again. Now that you have learned how to do clear cache, let the clearing begin!
