Clear Your Web Browser’s Cache, Cookies, and History
As you use your internet browser day after day, it stores and builds up mountains of traffic data it thinks is convenient for you. This cache of information can help pages load faster and keep you logged into your favorite sites. However, over time, this stored data can also become cluttered or outdated, leading to a variety of browser issues.
From website functions not working properly to pages or embeds failing to load, or even strange formatting problems—these odd behaviors can often be traced back to your browser's cache and history. Clearing these stored items can refresh your browser, helping it run more smoothly and efficiently. In this guide, we will guide you through the process of clearing your browsing history and cache on different browsers. Locate the browser you are using and follow the provided steps.
Google Chrome
Chrome is widely recommended for educational use due to its simplicity and compatibility with sites like Canvas.
Computer
- Open Chrome and select More
in the upper right corner.
- Select History > History.
- On the left, select Delete browsing data.
- Change the Time range to "All time".
- Select Delete data.
Mobile
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge, known as "Edge", is widely recommended for educational use due to its simplicity and compatibility with sites like Canvas.
Computer
- Open Edge and select More ⋯ in the upper right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Select Privacy, search, and services.
- Navigate to Clear browsing data and select Choose What to Clear.
- Change the Time range to "All Time".
- Select Clear Now.
Firefox
Computer
- Open Firefox and select the Menu icon
in the top right
- Select History.
- Select Clear recent history...
- Next to Time range to clear, choose Everything from the drop-down menu.
- Select Clear Now.
Mobile
Safari
Safari is only available on macOS devices and can't be found on Windows machines. It is installed and the default browser on all macOS and iOS devices.
Computer
- Open Safari and select History from the toolbar at the top.
- Choose Clear History...
- Next to Clear, choose All History from the drop-down menu.
- Select Clear History.
Mobile
Brave Browser
Computer
- Open Brave and select the Menu icon
in the top right.
- Choose Delete Browsing Data...
- Next to Time range, choose "All time" from the drop-down menu.
- Select Delete data.
Mobile
Arc Browser
Computer
- Open Arc and select Archive from the toolbar at the top.
- Choose View History.
- Select Delete browsing data.
- Change the Time range to "All time".
- Select Delete data.
FAQ
What happens when I clear my browsing cache and history?
Generally, a few things occur when you clear your browsing cache and history:
-
Your browser will need to re-download fresh versions of websites
- Clearing the cache removes temporary files, so websites are downloaded anew the next time you visit.
-
Clearing the cache can solve website issues
- Clears temporary copies of website files, allowing a "clean slate" for websites to load without problems.
-
You recover a bit of computer space
- Cache files occupy space on your device; clearing them can free up some disk space.
What is a "cache"?
A cache in web browsers is a collection of temporary files stored on your device to help websites load faster by reusing previously downloaded data. To learn more about caches and how web browsers work, explore "What is a cache" for an overview.
