How to clear your browser cache (all browsers)

If you have encountered an error in WordPress, you may have been asked to clear your browser cache to fix it. This is generally a simple task, but since the process varies across platforms, your troubleshooting guide may not provide the specific steps you need to complete it.

In this article, we will explain what your browser cache is and why you might need to clear it. We will then provide comprehensive steps for carrying out this process in the three most popular web browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox.

A brief explanation of browser caching

The caching process allows browsers to store copies of web pages so they can quickly and easily load content on subsequent visits.

We typically talk about browser caching as a way of speeding up your own website. However, other sites use this technique too, and as a result your browser also stores copies of various web pages.

You can configure browser caching manually, but for WordPress users it is more common to implement it with a plugin. Either way, there are several situations in which you will need to clear your cache and reload fresh copies of web pages.

Why clear your browser cache?

As we have already mentioned, browser caching is useful for speeding up page load times. This benefits you as a site owner, but also as a user who wants to quickly access key information online.

However, you also want that information to be current and accurate. If your browser loads an old copy of a page rather than the most recent version, you may be looking at content that is no longer relevant.

This is not usually a problem, as browsers are designed to detect changes and reload pages they have previously stored when those pages are updated. However, issues arise if your browser fails to notice that the content you are trying to access has been modified.

Some specific circumstances where this can occur include:

• When you make changes to the content of your WordPress site that do not appear to have been updated.
• Updating a plugin or theme where the new code is not running correctly.
• Installing an image optimisation plugin but still seeing old, uncompressed files load on the front end.

Clearing your browser cache can also help resolve several common errors, including:

• 401 errors
• 502 Bad Gateway errors
• Plugin conflicts

In short, if you are experiencing a problem with your WordPress site, it never hurts to try clearing your browser cache before doing anything else. It will not cause further problems and is often a very quick fix that you can handle yourself.

How to clear your browser cache in Google Chrome (in 3 steps)

Google Chrome is by far the most popular web browser. Statistics show that it accounts for more than half of global internet usage. Fortunately, its settings are very easy to navigate, making clearing its cache quick and straightforward.

Step 1: Open your Chrome browser settings

First, click on the three-dot icon in the upper right-hand corner of your browser window:

Then select Settings:

This will open your browser settings in a new tab.

Step 2: Navigate to your Privacy and Security settings

Once you are in the browser settings, click on Privacy and Security, or scroll down until you reach that section:

This will open a small pop-up window.

This will open your browser settings in a new tab.

Step 3: Clear your cached images and files

In the Clear browsing data window, you can choose from several types of data you wish to remove from Chrome. You can select as many as you wish and delete them all at once, but to clear your browser cache, make sure to select Cached images and files:

Finally, click Clear data.

How to clear your browser cache in Safari on desktop and mobile (in 2 steps)

Safari comes in second place behind Chrome as the most popular browser, in part because it is the default platform for Apple products. Since it is so popular on smartphones, we have also included the corresponding steps for clearing your browser cache in mobile Safari.

Step 1: Access your Safari settings

First, you will need to access your settings. On your desktop or laptop, simply open your browser and select Safari from the toolbar at the top of your screen:

On your mobile device, open the Settings app:

Then scroll until you see Safari:

Tap it to open its settings.

Step 2: Clear all history and website data

Unlike Chrome, Safari does not give you the option to choose which browsing data you delete. Every time you clear your browser cache, you will also delete your history, cookies, and other data.

For your desktop browser, select Clear History…

Choose all history from the drop-down list, then click the Clear History button:

On your mobile device, scroll to the Clear History and Website Data option and tap it:

A pop-up window will ask you to confirm whether you wish to continue:

Tap Clear History and Data to finish clearing your cache.

How to clear your browser cache in Mozilla Firefox (in 3 steps)

Firefox accounts for less than five per cent of browser market share. However, some older applications may perform better on this more established platform. It also offers handy tools for developers. Here is how to clear its cache.

Step 1: Enter your Firefox settings

To open your browser settings in Firefox, click the hamburger icon in the upper right-hand corner:

Then select Preferences:

This will open the general settings page.

Step 2: View your Privacy and Security settings

As with Chrome, you will need to navigate to the Privacy and Security section of your browser settings — in the left-hand menu — to access your cache options:

Note that you cannot access these options by scrolling as you can in Chrome.

Step 3: Clear your data

Next, scroll down until you find the Cookies and Site Data section:

Click the Clear Data… button:

Firefox only provides two types of site data you can delete here. Make sure Cached Web Content is ticked, then click the Clear button:

Firefox will then ask you to confirm your choice.

Conclusion

Knowing how to clear your browser cache means you will have a quick fix for many errors you might encounter when working with WordPress, or simply browsing the web. Fortunately, the process is fairly straightforward regardless of which browser you prefer.

In this article, we have provided complete walkthroughs for clearing your cache in Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox. For each browser, you will need to access your settings, find the option to clear your browsing data, and make sure your cache is included.

Do you have any questions about how to clear your browser cache, or why you might need to do so? Leave them for us in the comments section below.

Freely translated from English from the Elegant Themes article