Clear Browser Cache And Reset Browser Settings

Overview

This article is for the benefit of faculty, staff, and students who would like to know how to clear their internet browser's cache or are having trouble with the normal operations of their internet browsers. To follow this article, you will need a computer with Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox installed.

Clearing the browser cache can often solve random browser issues. It's also a good idea to clear your cache after removing homepage hijacking malware or suspicious extensions.

Microsoft Edge

1. Click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner.
2. Select History, then click the three horizontal dots within the History menu and select Clear browsing data.
3. Change the time range to All time.
4. Ensure that Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data are checked (check/uncheck any additional boxes if desired).
5. Click Clear now.
6. If your issue hasn't been resolved, restart Microsoft Edge and try again.

Google Chrome

1. In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
2. Hover over More tools (or Clear browsing data depending on your version).
3. Click Clear browsing data....
4. Change the time range to All time.
5. Ensure that Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data are checked.
6. Click Clear data.
7. If your issue hasn't been resolved, restart Google Chrome and try again.

Apple Safari

Clear Cache and History (Versions 17.6+)

1. Open Safari, then navigate the mouse to the menu bar at the top of the screen and click History.
2. Within the History menu, select the Clear History option.
3. Set your time range to All History, then select Clear History. This will clear your history, cookies, and cache simultaneously.
4. Close out of the browser, and these changes will be automatically saved.

Clear Cache Only

If you do not wish to delete your browsing history, you can clear your cache only using the following steps:

1. Open Safari, then navigate the mouse to the menu bar at the top of the screen and click Safari.
2. If you are using macOS Ventura or newer, select Settings. If you are using macOS Monterey or older, select Preferences.
3. Select Advanced at the top of the new window that appears, and then select the checkbox to Show Develop menu in menu bar (or Show features for web developers).
4. Navigate your mouse to the menu bar at the top of the screen, which will now have the Develop option. Select Develop, and then select Empty Caches (or press Option + Cmd + E).
5. Close out of the browser, and these changes will be automatically saved.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox and click the Menu button in the top right (three horizontal lines).
2. Click History.
3. Click Clear Recent History....
4. Set the time range to clear to Everything.
5. Select Cache. Make sure the items you want to keep are not selected.
6. Click Clear Now.
7. Close out of the browser, and these changes will be automatically saved.

Official Support Links

If for any reason the instructions in this article do not work for your browser version, please see the official resources below:

• Microsoft Edge: Clear Cache
• Google Chrome: Clear Cache
• Mozilla Firefox: Clear Cache
• Apple Safari: Clear Cache