Overview
Clearing your web browser's cache, cookies, and history periodically will help prevent or resolve performance problems. You may wish to record some of your saved information first, as it may remove data such as the following:
- Saved passwords
- Address bar predictions
- Shopping cart contents, etc.
Desktop browsers
In some cases, you may only need to clear/remove the cached files. In other situations, where accessing a site is problematic - you may also need to clear the cookie data. If any of the following instructions do not exactly match what you see, you may need to update your web browser to the latest version.
For most desktop browsers, you can quickly open menus used to clear your cache, cookies, and history. Ensure that the browser is open and in the foreground (as if you're using it).
- For Windows - Press
Ctrl-Shift-Delete
- For Mac- Press
Command-Shift-Delete
- If this doesn't work, follow the appropriate instructions below.
Chrome
- In the browser bar, copy the path below:
- chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
- paste the path above in the address bar of your browser
- At the top of the "Clear browsing data" window, click Advanced tab.
- Select the following:
- Browsing history
- Download history
- Cookies and other site data
- Cached images and files
- From the "Time range" drop-down menu, you can choose the period of time for which you want to clear cached information. To clear your entire cache, select All time.
- Click CLEAR DATA.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
View Google Support article: Clear cache & cookies
Firefox
- From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.
- If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.
- From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select Everything.
- Next to "Details", click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.
- Click Clear Now.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
View Firefox Support article: How to clear Firefox cache
Microsoft Edge
- In the top right, click the Hub icon (looks like star with three horizontal lines).
- Click the History icon (looks like a clock), and then select Clear all history.
- Select Browsing history, then Cookies and saved website data, and then Cached data and files. Click Clear.
- After the "All Clear!" message appears, exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Safari (limited support in Microsoft 365, Canvas, and Echo360)
- From the Safari menu, select Clear History... or Clear History and Website Data....
- Select the desired time range, and then click Clear History.
- Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Refrain from using the Safari browser. ITS recommends Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge to use as your internet browser.
Mobile browsers
Android
- The steps to clear your cache, cookies, and history may differ depending on the model of your Android device and your preferred browser, but you should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu:
- Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
- Swipe to the All tab.
- In the list of installed apps, find and tap your web browser. Tap Clear Data and then Clear Cache.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Chrome for Android
- Tap Chrome menu > Settings.
- Tap (Advanced) Privacy.
- From the "Time Range" drop-down menu, select All Time.
- Check Cookies and Site data and Cached Images and Files.
- Tap Clear data.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Safari for iOS
- Open your Settings app.
- Tap Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Chrome for iOS
- Tap Chrome menu > Settings.
- Tap Privacy.
- Tap Clear Browsing Data.
- Choose the data type you want to clear.
- Tap Clear Browsing Data.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.