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.
On rare occasions, there can be issues caused by these features that cause your browser to behave erratically. Finalsite Support is excellent at recognizing occasions where this might have happened, and we 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."
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."
- 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."
- 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."
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