How to clear the browser cache

The browser cache is a temporary data storage used to speed up the loading of web pages. When a user visits a site for the first time, the browser saves part of its content on the device: images, stylesheets, scripts and other elements. Upon revisiting, this data is loaded not from the server but from the local cache, which significantly reduces the page loading time and eases the internet connection load.

Why clear the cache and cookies?

Clearing the cache and cookie files helps fix a number of issues related to browser performance and site display. The cache may contain outdated versions of files, causing pages to display incorrectly or not load fully. This is especially noticeable after a site update, when the browser continues using old styles and scripts instead of the current ones.

Cookies store login data, user settings and other information related to visited sites. If cookies are corrupted or conflict with each other, problems may arise with account logins, personalized content display or cart functionality in online stores.

How to clear the cache in Google Chrome?

To clear the cache in Google Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Del (on Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (on macOS).
2. In the window that opens, select a time range, for example, «All time».
3. Check the box for «Cached images and files».
4. If necessary, also select «Cookies and other site data».
5. Click the «Clear data» button.

How to clear the cache in Mozilla Firefox

To clear the cache in Mozilla Firefox, follow these steps:

1. Open the menu by clicking the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
2. Go to «Settings».
3. In the left menu, select «Privacy & Security».
4. Scroll down to the «Cookies and Site Data» section.
5. Click the «Clear Data…» button.
6. Check the box for «Cached Web Content».
7. If necessary, also check «Cookies and Site Data».
8. Click «Clear» and confirm the action.

How to clear the cache in Safari?

To clear the cache in Safari, follow these steps:

1. Open the Safari menu and select «Settings».
2. Go to the «Advanced» tab and check the box for «Show Develop menu in menu bar».
3. Close the settings window and open the «Develop» menu in the top panel.
4. Select the «Empty Caches» option.

How to clear the cache in Opera?

To clear the cache in Opera, follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Del (on Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (on macOS).
2. In the window that opens, select a time range, for example, «All time».
3. Check the box for «Cached images and files».
4. If necessary, select «Cookies and other site data».
5. Click the «Clear data» button.

How to clear the cache in Internet Explorer?

To clear the cache in Internet Explorer, follow these steps:

1. Open the menu using the gear icon in the top right corner.
2. Select «Internet options».
3. In the «Browsing history» section, click «Delete…».
4. Check the box for «Temporary Internet files and website files».
5. If necessary, check other data you want to delete.
6. Click the «Delete» button.

How to load a page bypassing the cache?

To load a page bypassing the cache, simply force it to reload from the server, skipping saved data. To do this:

1. On Windows, press Ctrl + F5.
2. On macOS, use Command + Shift + R.

This command forces the browser to load all elements of the page directly from the server, ignoring the local cache. This method is useful for checking site updates or fixing content display issues.

FAQ

Where to view the cache in Google Chrome?

The browser cache is stored in internal directories and is not available for viewing in regular mode. To see which resources were loaded from the cache when opening a page, use developer tools: press F12 or Ctrl + Shift + I, open the «Network» tab and reload the page. You can also examine stored site data on the «Application» tab.

How to disable the cache in Google Chrome?

Cache disabling is not intended for regular users, as it reduces browser performance. However, in developer mode, the cache can be temporarily disabled: open developer tools, go to the «Network» tab and check the «Disable cache» box. This setting only works while the tools window remains open.

Can you clear the cache for one site?

Yes, you can. Open developer tools, go to the «Application» tab, select the «Storage» section and click «Clear site data». This will delete the cache and other data for the specific site. You can also right-click the reload button and choose «Empty cache and hard reload».