How to clear the cache or cookie history on your browser

Overview

Clearing your browser's cache and cookies is one of the most common troubleshooting steps for website-related issues.

Your browser stores temporary files (cache) and website data (cookies) to improve performance and remember settings. Occasionally, outdated or corrupted data can cause problems such as:

  • Pages not loading correctly
  • Missing or outdated website content
  • Sign-in issues
  • Unexpected website errors
  • Problems accessing SharePoint, Microsoft 365, or other web applications

Clearing cached files and cookies forces your browser to download the latest version of a website and can often resolve these issues.

Note: Clearing cookies may sign you out of websites and remove saved preferences.

Quick Method (Most Browsers)

Most modern browsers support the same keyboard shortcut:

Windows

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete

Mac

  • Press Command + Shift + Delete

This opens the browser's Clear Browsing Data window.

  1. Select a time range of All Time (or the longest available option).
  2. Select:
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files
  3. Click Clear Data or Clear Browsing Data.
  4. Close all browser windows and reopen the browser.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Edge.
  2. Select the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
  3. Choose Settings.
  4. Select Privacy, Search, and Services.
  5. Under Clear Browsing Data, select Choose What to Clear.
  6. Select:
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files
  7. Choose All Time as the time range.
  8. Click Clear Now.

Google Chrome

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Select the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
  3. Choose Delete Browsing Data or Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data.
  4. Select All Time as the time range.
  5. Select:
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files
  6. Click Delete Data.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Open the application menu (☰).
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Choose Privacy & Security.
  5. Under Cookies and Site Data, select Clear Data.
  6. Select:
    • Cookies and Site Data
    • Cached Web Content
  7. Click Clear.

Safari (macOS)

  1. Open Safari.
  2. From the Safari menu, select Settings.
  3. Select the Privacy tab.
  4. Click Manage Website Data.
  5. Click Remove All.
  6. Confirm by selecting Remove Now.

To clear browsing history as well:

  1. Open the History menu.
  2. Select Clear History.
  3. Choose the desired time range.

Safari (iPhone and iPad)

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Select Apps > Safari (or Safari, depending on your iOS version).
  3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
  4. Confirm the action.

After Clearing Cache and Cookies

After clearing browser data:

  1. Close all browser windows completely.
  2. Reopen the browser.
  3. Return to the website and test again.

 

When Should I Clear My Cache?

Consider clearing your cache and cookies when:

  • A website is displaying outdated information.
  • You are experiencing login problems.
  • A webpage is not loading correctly.
  • A support technician asks you to do so as part of troubleshooting.
  • Changes made to a website are not appearing in your browser.

Clearing your cache and cookies is a safe first step that resolves many common browser-related issues.

 

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