This article explains how to clear cache and cookies in Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, and Opera as a troubleshooting step, including why Finalsite Support may request it and website caching delays to expect.
đź’ˇQuick answers
- How do you clear cache and cookies in Chrome? Steps: click the three-dot menu in Chrome, select More tools, click Clear browsing data, choose a time range, check Cookies and other site data plus Cached images and files, then click Clear data.
- Why does Finalsite Support ask you to clear your cache? Website caching can occasionally cause a browser to behave erratically, and clearing the cache and cookies is a common troubleshooting step Support uses to rule out stale local data as the cause.
- How long does it take for website changes to appear after caching? There is a general delay of up to 15 minutes after changes are made due to website caching, which is implemented to ensure overall site stability and cannot be expedited.
- What is the difference between cache and cookies? Cache is the browser's stored copy of webpage data so it doesn't have to be re-downloaded every visit, while a cookie is a file that stores user-specific information for a site, such as form selections or saved settings.
- Are the steps to clear cache different on mobile Safari? Yes, on iPhone or iPad you open the Settings app, scroll to Safari, tap Clear History and Website Data, then confirm, which differs from the Develop menu method used on a Mac.
Each time you access a webpage or file through your web browser, the browser stores it in its memory, so that it doesn't need to keep retrieving the same data every time you access the page. This storage is known as your cache.
A cookie is a file created by the web browser that stores user-specific information about a particular site. These can be form selections, saved settings, a record of the last page you were on, etc.
Important Notes
- There is a general delay of up to 15 minutes after any changes are made due to website caching.
- This delay is implemented to ensure overall website stability.
- Unfortunately, we are unable to expedite this process. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
- On rare occasions, these caching features may cause your browser to behave erratically.
- Finalsite Support is excellent at recognizing when this might have happened and will often ask you to clear your browser's cache and cookies as a troubleshooting step.
Clear your browser's cache and cookies on different browser types:
- Open Google Chrome and click on the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner.
- Select “More tools” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on “Clear browsing data”.
- In the pop-up window, choose the time range for which you want to clear the cache. You can select options like “Last hour,” “Last 24 hours,” “Last 7 days,” “Last 4 weeks,” or “All time.”
- Check the boxes for “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”. You can also check other options if you want to clear more data.
- Click on the “Clear data” button.
If there are any discrepancies or your view is different from the instructions above, please view the official Chrome instructions: "Clear cache and cookies."Â
Microsoft Edge can personalize how the browser saves and uses their data. If you’re looking to empty your cache for security reasons or to clear space on your device, the steps are simple:
- Open Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots in the upper-right corner to pull up a menu.
- Scroll to the bottom of the menu and click on “Settings.”
- Select “Privacy, search, and services.” It should be the second option below the search bar.
- Scroll down until you reach “Clear Browsing Data” and select “Choose what to clear.”
- A window will pop up that indicates the types of data saved by your browser. “Cached images and files” should be the fourth options.
- Choose the time range that best suits your needs. If you’d like to fully empty your cache, select “All time.” If you’d just like to delete information from hour, day, or week, those options are also available.
- Once you’ve made your decision, click the blue “Clear now” button.
- If you’d prefer not to have any information cached, you can set up your Edge browser by selecting “Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.” On the next page that loads set the toggle for “Cached images and files” to off. This may cause pages to load more slowly in the future, but your device will no longer save this information, which may lead to a greater peace of mind while using the Internet.
If there are any discrepancies or your view is different from the instructions above, please view the official Microsoft Edge instructions: "How to manage and clear your cache and cookies."Â
- Open Safari and click on Safari in the top menu bar.
- Select Preferences.
- Go to the Advanced tab.
- Check the box next to “Show Develop menu in menu bar”.
- Close the Preferences window.
- Click on Develop in the menu bar.
- Select “Empty Caches”.
On an iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Safari.
- Tap “Clear History and Website Data”.
- Confirm by tapping “Clear History and Data”.
If there are any discrepancies or your view is different from the instructions above, please view the official Apple instructions: "Clear the history, cache, and cookies from Safari."Â
- Open Firefox and click on the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Go to the Privacy & Security panel.
- In the Cookies and Site Data section, click Clear Data.
- Ensure that Cached Web Content is checked.
- Click the Clear button.
On an Android or iOS Device:
- Open Firefox and tap the three horizontal lines (menu).
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Ensure that Cache is checked.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Open Opera and click the Menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
- Select Settings.
- Go to Privacy & security.
- Click on Clear browsing data.
- In the dialog that appears, select the time range for which you want to clear the cache.
- Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data to complete the process.
If there are any discrepancies or your view is different from the instructions above, please view the official Opera instructions: "How to clear cache and cookies on Opera."Â
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