Clearing Browser Caches and Resetting Browser Settings

Clearing the browser cache and resetting the browser settings can often solve some random browser issues. It's also a good idea to clear your cache after removing homepage hijacking malware such as MySearchDial, Conduit Search Protect, BrowserSafeGuard, and others like them. Please only reset your browser if you are experiencing serious issues and/or are having browser issues after removing malware. Please note that all customized settings will be lost, and you will need to backup bookmarks (If you have synced Google Chrome with your Google Account your Bookmarks are automatically saved via Google's server).

Intended Audience

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 using normal operations of their internet browsers.

Requirements

To follow this article, you will need a computer with Internet Explorer, Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari installed.

Microsoft Edge

Clear Cache

Tip: Press Ctrl+Shift+Del and skip to step 4.

  1. Click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. In the Settings tab under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
  4. Ensure that Cached data and files, Cookies, and History are checked (check/uncheck any additional boxes if desired).
  5. Click Clear.
  6. Click the three horizontal dots to close the window.
  7. If your issue hasn't been resolved, restart Microsoft Edge and then try.

Reset Settings

Tip: Press Ctrl+Shift+Del and skip to step 4.

  1. Click the three horizontal dots.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. In the Settings tab under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
  4. Ensure that everything is checked.
  5. Click Clear.
  6. Click the three horizontal dots to close the window.
  7. If your issue hasn't been resolved, restart Microsoft Edge and then try.

Google Chrome

Clear Cache

Tip: Press Ctrl+Shift+Del and skip to step 4.

  1. In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right.
  2. Hover over More tools.
  3. Click Clear browsing data....
  4. By default, everything should be checked (make any changes if desired).
  5. Change the time range to All time.
  6. Click Clear data.
  7. If your issue hasn't been resolved, restart Google Chrome and then try.

Reset Settings

  1. In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Advanced.
  4. For Chromebook, Linux, and Mac...
    • Under Reset Settings, select Restore settings to their original defaults.
    • Click Reset Settings.
  5. For Windows...
    • Under Reset and cleanup, click Reset Settings.
    • Click Reset Settings.

Safari

Clear Cache (Versions 17.6+)

  1. Open Safari, then navigate the mouse to the top bar 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.

  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 top bar 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. Only one will appear in the window.
  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, depending on which version of Safari you have installed.
  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 cache (⌥ + ⌘ + E).
  5. If you would no longer like to see advanced features on your computer, you can now feel free to navigate back to the previous Show Develop Menu / Show features for web checkbox and deselect it. Please note that commands that are available to you while you are viewing advanced settings will be unavailable to you until the settings are made viewable again.
  6. Close out of the browser, and these changes will be automatically saved.

Reset Settings

       Safari does not have a native "Reset to Factory Defaults," however following a guide such as this one will clear all relevant settings: Reset Safari

Mozilla Firefox

Clear Cache

Tip: Press Ctrl+Shift+Del and skip to step 5.

  1. Open Firefox and click the Menu button in the top right with the three horizontal lines.
  2. Click History.
  3. Click Clear Recent History.
  4. Set the time range 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.

Reset Settings

  1. Open Firefox and click the Menu button at the top right with the three horizontal lines.
  2. Select Help at the bottom of the drop down menu.
  3. Click More Troubleshooting Information.
  4. Click Refresh Firefox.
  5. In the pop-up window, click Refresh Firefox.
  6. In the new pop-up window, click Finish.
  7. Then when the new Mozilla Firefox tab opens, select which option you would like, then click Let's go!.

Troubleshooting

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

Microsoft Edge - Official Microsoft Resource Links

Chrome - Official Google Resource Links

Firefox - Official Mozilla Resource Links

Safari

 

If you have any questions or experience any issues with this article, please visit or contact the ITS Helpdesk for assistance.

 

Location: 206 Murchie Science Building

Hours: go.umflint.edu/hours

Phone: (810) 762-3123

Email: flint.its.support@umich.edu

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