Clearing Internet Browser Cache

Body

Topic

How to clear the cache on the Internet browser? 

Environment (Products involved such as e.g. hardware, software, network)   

Computer, Browser such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox

Resolution or Steps 

A nearly full browser cache can cause web application problems in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari and Mozilla Firefox web browsers. Files won't open directly from the web into the proper desktop application. Deleting the cache data helps to troubleshoot, helps to increase the loading time of web pages and improves the performance of your computer. If the browser isn't loading the new version of the site, even if there have been changes on the site since the last visit, clearing the cache can fix the issues with the viewing the content.  Your browser tends to hold onto information, and over time this can cause problems with logging in to or loading websites. It is always a good idea to clear out your cache, or browser history, and clear cookies on a regular basis. Example: Changes have been made to D2L and you are not able to see the changes that you made.  You will need to clear the cache to be able to see the changes.

How to clear the cache on the Internet browser:

  1. Click on the Internet browser you want to clear the cache on.
  2. Press CNTL + Shift + Delete all at once.
  3. The Settings screen to clear Browsing & Download history, Cookies & Cache will pop up.
  4. In the Time Range box, choose: All Time or Everything (Depending on Internet Browser)
  5. Leave the boxes checked that have automatically been checked.
  6. Click on: Clear now, Ok or Clear data (Depending on Internet Browser)

Below are screen shots of the 3 main Windows Internet browser settings:

Mozilla Firefox

“Clear All History window showing options to remove browsing data. The ‘Time range to clear’ dropdown is set to ‘Everything,’ indicated by a red arrow. In the History section, checkboxes for ‘Active logins’ and ‘Cache’ are selected and highlighted with red boxes. In the Cookies section, the ‘Cookies’ checkbox is also selected. At the bottom right, a red box and arrow highlight the blue ‘OK’ button.”

Google Chrome

“Clear browsing data window in Google Chrome, shown under the Basic tab. The ‘Time range’ dropdown is set to ‘All time,’ indicated by a red arrow. Three options—‘Browsing history,’ ‘Cookies and other site data,’ and ‘Cached images and files’—are selected and marked with red checkboxes. At the bottom right, a red box and arrow highlight the blue ‘Clear data’ button. A ‘Cancel’ button appears to the left of it.”

Microsoft Edge

“Clear browsing data window with the ‘Time range’ dropdown set to ‘All time,’ indicated by a red arrow. Four checkboxes—‘Browsing history,’ ‘Download history,’ ‘Cookies and other site data,’ and ‘Cached images and files’—are selected and outlined in red. A blue ‘Clear now’ button at the bottom is highlighted with a red box and arrow. A note below the checkboxes explains that clearing data will affect all synced devices unless the user signs out first.”

Details

Details

Article ID: 140191
Created
Tue 12/14/21 4:22 PM
Modified
Mon 2/23/26 1:43 PM