Posted by Corissa Runde on March 13, 2023
Clearing your cache and cookies from time to time is good “tech hygiene,” and it can help you troubleshoot when your device is running slowly or you’re having trouble with an app.
When you use a browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc.), the browser saves some information from websites in its cookies and “cache”—the storage location that collects temporary data to help websites, browsers and apps load quickly.
Website slow to load? It could be your cache
So if you clear your browser’s cache and temporary internet files regularly, this helps your computer or device run optimally—and doing so can help fix certain problems, like a website loading slowly, or formatting issues on a web page.
Will clearing my cache delete my passwords?
Before you go ahead and clear your cache, you may wonder if this means you’ll lose the login credentials and passwords you may rely on to auto-complete for the websites you frequently visit. If you’re concerned about this, pay attention to which checkboxes you choose to select when you complete the cache-clearing process (the steps for which are different for each browser, and are outlined in the Clearing Browser Cache and Cookies KnowledgeBase guide).
For example: In Google Chrome, you can uncheck the “Passwords and other sign-in data” checkbox when you follow the steps outlined in the KB, and you will not lose your passwords.
How-to instructions by browser
And even though the DoIT Help Desk is always ready to help, you might even save yourself a support call or email if you try clearing your cache first. Use this KnowledgeBase guide to help you learn how to clear your cache and cookies in your desktop and mobile web browsers:
How to clear your browser cache and cookies
FAQs
Clear cache if you want to see a fresh version of the website, solve website loading issues, or free up space; Clear cookies if you want to remove search history on websites, e.g., Facebook, protect your data on a shared device, and prevent tracking.
Should I clear cache or cookies? ›
Clear cache if you want to see a fresh version of the website, solve website loading issues, or free up space; Clear cookies if you want to remove search history on websites, e.g., Facebook, protect your data on a shared device, and prevent tracking.
How do I clear cookies and cache Ctrl? ›
Keyboard Shortcut for Most Browsers. If you are using Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Safari, you can quickly clear the cache with a keyboard shortcut. While in your browser, press CtrlShift+Delete simultaneously on the keyboard to open the appropriate window.
Does clearing cache and cookies delete passwords? ›
CLEARING THE CACHE simply clears temporary files but It won't erase login credentials, downloaded files, or custom settings.
Does clearing history clear cookies? ›
This means that any previously stored data in the cache and cookies, such as images, scripts, and login credentials, will be removed. When the user visits the same websites again, the browser will need to download and store the data again, and any previously saved login information will need to be re-entered.
Is there a downside to clearing the cache? ›
What happens after you clear a browser cache? As noted, one purpose of a browser cache is to speed up performance. So after you clear the cache, some sites may initially seem slower because content such as images needs to load again. Some settings on websites, e.g. logins or forms you had filled in, will be deleted.
What are the downsides of clearing cookies and cache? ›
After you clear cache and cookies: Some settings on sites get deleted. For example, if you were signed in, you'll need to sign in again. If you turn sync on in Chrome, you'll stay signed into the Google Account you're syncing to in order to delete your data across all your devices.
Why should I clear my cache and cookies? ›
The cache can also cause issues when viewing new versions of previously visited web pages. Deleting the cache and cookies data regularly helps to troubleshoot, helps to increase the loading time of web pages, loads new versions of web pages and increases the performance of your computer.
How do I clear my website cache? ›
Chrome
- Right click, choose "Inspect"
- In the Dev Tools menu that shows up, find the "Application" tab.
- In the Application tab, make sure that "Storage" is selected in the left menu.
- Click, "Clear site data", and you're done!
1. Delete the browser cache with a shortcut.
- Press the keys [Ctrl], [Shift] and [Del]. ...
- A new window opens: "Clear Browser cache".
- Here you can select in the upper dropdown-menu, for which time period you want to delete the cache data. ...
- If you want to delete all cache date, select "all".
They store personal information about you – Cookies remember the sites you visit and the purchases you make and advertisers (and hackers) can use this information to their advantage. So to improve your privacy, it's best to delete them regularly.
How often should you clear cookies and cache? ›
If it's your personal device, it's a good idea to remove all cookies at least once a month to keep your device neat. Also, you should do this if you see a drop in browser performance or after visiting a shady website. This will make you re-enter multiple logins, but doing that for the sake of your privacy is worth it.
Is it good to clear all browsing history? ›
Here are some reasons to clear your browsing history, cache, and cookies: It protects your personal information from other people who use your device and third parties on the internet. It clears your device storage and helps your applications run more efficiently. It prevents you from using old forms.
How often should I clear my cache? ›
How often do I need to clear my cache? Most people only need to clear their caches once every month or two. That's generally the point when your browser will build up a cache large enough to start slowing things down. If you frequent a large number of sites, you should err on the side of clearing your cache more often.
How often should I clear my website cache? ›
It is generally recommended to clear your cache and cookies regularly, such as every few weeks or once a month. This can help improve your browser's performance and protect your privacy by removing saved data that may be used to track your online activity.
Is there a downside to deleting cookies? ›
Impact on Website Functionality: Some websites rely heavily on cookies to function properly. By clearing cookies, you may encounter issues with website features, such as saved logins, language preferences, or even the ability to add items to your cart.
What happens if you clear all cookies? ›
Delete all cookies. Important: If you delete cookies, you might get signed out of sites that remember you, and your saved preferences could be deleted. This applies any time a cookie is deleted.
