How to Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Applies to: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome
Article Type: How-To
Last Updated: 2026-03-09

Summary

Clearing your browser cache and cookies is the first troubleshooting step for many web application issues — slow loading, login loops, formatting errors, and outdated content. This article explains how to clear cache in Edge and Chrome, what to clear, and what to keep.

Prerequisites

• Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Instructions

1. Clear Cache in Microsoft Edge

Remove cached files and cookies.

1. Open Edge.
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open the Clear browsing data dialog.
3. Set Time range to All time (or a specific range if preferred).
4. Check the following:
   • ✅ Cached images and files — always safe to clear.
   • ✅ Cookies and other site data — clears login sessions (you will need to sign in again).
5. Optionally leave these unchecked to keep them:
   • ❌ Browsing history — keeps your URL history.
   • ❌ Download history — keeps your download log.
   • ❌ Passwords — keeps your saved passwords.
   • ❌ Autofill form data — keeps saved form entries.
6. Click Clear now.

2. Clear Cache in Google Chrome

Remove cached files and cookies.

1. Open Chrome.
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open the Clear browsing data dialog.
3. Click the Advanced tab for full control.
4. Set Time range to All time.
5. Check the following:
   • ✅ Cached images and files.
   • ✅ Cookies and other site data.
6. Leave unchecked:
   • ❌ Passwords and other sign-in data.
   • ❌ Autofill form data.
7. Click Delete data.

3. Clear Cache for a Single Site

Fix issues on one website without clearing everything.

Edge:

1. Navigate to the problem website.
2. Press F12 to open Developer Tools.
3. Click and hold the Refresh button (⟳) in the address bar.
4. Select Empty cache and hard refresh.

Chrome:

1. Navigate to the problem website.
2. Press F12 to open Developer Tools.
3. Click and hold the Refresh button (⟳).
4. Select Empty cache and hard refresh.

Alternative (both browsers):

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete.
2. Set Time range to Last hour.
3. Clear only Cached images and files.

4. What Gets Cleared (and What You Lose)

Understand what each option does before clearing.

Item	What it is	Impact of clearing
Cached images and files	Local copies of website assets	Pages may load slightly slower the first time. No data loss.
Cookies	Login tokens and site preferences	You will be signed out of all websites.
Browsing history	Record of visited URLs	Address bar suggestions are reduced.
Passwords	Saved login credentials	You will need to re-enter passwords manually.
Autofill data	Saved form entries	You will need to re-type form fields.

Troubleshooting

TIP

If clearing cache does not fix the issue, try opening the site in an InPrivate (Edge) or Incognito (Chrome) window. This uses a clean session with no cache or cookies. Press Ctrl+Shift+N to open one.

Symptom / Error	Potential Cause	Solution
Site still shows old content after clearing cache	Browser has a DNS cache	Close and reopen the browser completely. If it persists, try Ctrl+Shift+N for a private window.
Signed out of all sites after clearing	Cookies were cleared	This is expected. Sign back in to each site.
Issue only happens in one browser	Browser-specific cache issue	Clear that browser's cache. If the issue persists, try the other browser.

Related Articles

• Understanding the Incognito Mode Myth
• How to Manage Saved Passwords in Your Browser
• How to Fix Common Computer Glitches by Restarting
• Understanding Microsoft Edge vs. Google Chrome — A Side-by-Side Comparison

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