How To Clear Your Browser’s Cache? [Easy Guide]

Clearing your browser’s cache can significantly impact your browser’s performance. Besides making your browser operate smoothly, it can also free some storage. Therefore, I will take you through clearing the browser’s cache on standard browsers.

Key Takeaways

• Clearing your browser’s cache frees up space by clearing unnecessary background processes, thus speeding up the browser’s operation.
• A clear cache does not delete the saved data on your PC. However, it may log you out of your accounts on different websites, like Facebook, Netflix, etc.
• You can clear your browser’s cache directly from its settings, but the method may vary from browser to browser.

What Is A Browser’s Cache?

A browser cache is a temporary storage area on your computer that saves certain information from the websites you visit, such as images, stylesheets, and JavaScript files. The next time you visit the same website, your browser can load the cached versions of these elements instead of downloading them again, improving the website’s loading time.

How To Clear Your Browser’s Cache?

Clearing the cache in your browser is a simple process that can help resolve website loading issues or improve the browser’s overall performance. This section will teach you the exact steps to clean your browser’s cache quickly and hassle-free. Be it Opera, Google Chrome, or Microsoft Edge, I have detailed instructions for them. Let’s see how you can do this process independently.

Google Chrome

The process of clearing your cache varies depending on the browser you are using. For Google Chrome, it is typically found in the browser settings under the Privacy And Security section.

1. Open Google Chrome from your Desktop.
2. Move your cursor to the Three vertical dots “⋮” at the top-right edge of the upper panel, just below the X Symbol.
3. Scroll to Settings.
   

   

4. You will see a lot of different settings for your browser.
5. Click on Privacy And Security on the left panel.
6. Select Clear Browsing Data.
   

   

7. It will open a dialogue box on your screen.
8. Stay on the Basic Section.
9. Mark Cached Images And Files.
10. You can also choose a Time Range to clear all cache data for a specific range, such as the last hour/week/month. We suggest selecting All Time to ensure all the problematic data is gone.
11. Now, press the blue button at the bottom right edge of the box, Clear Data.
    

    

12. Doing this will clear the cache for the Chrome Browser.

Opera

If you are a regular Opera user, you can use the following instructions to clean its cache. The steps are almost the same as that for the Chrome browser.

1. Locate and click the Opera Logo “O” at the top of the left icon menu.
2. Go to the browser’s Settings from the drop-down.

   

3. Highlight Privacy And Security on the left option bar.
4. You will see many sub-options under the heading.
5. Pick Clear Browsing Data.
   

   

6. You can clean the browsing history, cache, cookies, and data from this pop-up.
7. Tick Cached Images And Files and ensure the time range is set to All Time.
8. Hit Clear Data to remove the browser’s cache.

   

Microsoft Edge

Accessing the cache section in Microsoft Edge slightly differs from the ones we discussed above. Don’t worry, though. Here is a precise method we use to clear the cache on Edge.

1. Come to Microsoft Edge.
2. Notice the Horizontal Ellipsis “⋯” at the upper right edge of the screen. Click on it.

   

3. Place the cursor on the Bottom Arrow of the sub-menu.

   

4. Once you see the Settings column, click on it.

   

5. go to the second option on your left, Privacy, Search, And Services.
6. Scroll down to the Clear Browsing Data section.
7. You will find an option, Choose What To Clear, in a box on the extreme right of the first option under the above heading. Click on it.

   

8. You will find a dialogue box appearing on your screen.
9. Click on Time Range and pick All Time from the mini-menu.
10. Now, mark Cached Images And Files.
11. Select Clear Now to clear your browser’s cache.
    

    

When Should You Clear Your Browser’s Cache?

It is not necessary to clear your browser’s cache frequently since doing so may result in losing specific personalization and settings. You only need to consider performing this troubleshooting method when;

• The browser is lagging, or the screen keeps freezing.
• Online streaming sites, like Netflix, Youtube, and Hulu, are not working.
• The browser consistently crashes.
• You cannot save new data in your browser.
• You encounter errors in your browser.
• The search results won’t load.
• You are unable to access any website through the browser.
• You want to remove your private information stored in the browser.
• There is little space left on your disk.

Why Should You Clear Your Browser’s Cache?

Performing a cache clear for your browser positively impacts several areas of its functioning. For example, cleaning the browser’s cache will;

• Speed up its performance and remove lags.
• Load search results and websites more quickly.
• Eliminate errors and formatting issues on websites by deleting conflicting data.
• Enable the functioning of video-streaming sites.
• Allow you to save your login credentials for various websites.
• Protect your personal information on the browser.
• Fix website display issues.
• Save disk space on your computer by clearing unnecessary data.

How Does Clearing The Browser’s Cache Help Resolve Errors?

When you face an error due to an overabundance of cache in the browser, the “Confirm Form Resubmission” prompt is shown, along with “ERR_CACHE_MISS.”

Not enough space for cache error – Image Credits [Emopulse]

The data from different websites will build up in your browser’s cache as time passes. Over time, the cache can become cluttered with old or outdated data, which can cause issues such as web pages not displaying correctly or being unable to load at all.  By clearing your browser’s cache, you are effectively removing the corrupt data, hence eliminating errors.

Final Words

The cache is temporary data that quickly builds up in the browser and can cause issues when left unchecked. Most popular browsers nowadays have built-in ways to clear cache without the need for third-party apps. You can find this inside the browser’s settings, Privacy and Security in Chrome, and similar options in Opera and Microsoft Edge.

If this helped, also read our guides on how to:

• Clear PC cache
• Clear PS5 cache
• Clear Xbox 1 cache