Clearing the browser cache

Clearing the browser cache

The browser cache is a buffer of the web browser in which resources that have already been loaded (e.g. texts, images, fonts and stylesheets) are kept as a copy on the user’s computer (locally). When these resources are used, outdated content may be displayed in the browser. Clearing the browser cache fixes this.

• “Hard refresh” of individual pages
• Clearing the Firefox cache
• Clearing the Chrome cache
• Clearing the Safari cache
• Microsoft Edge & Internet Explorer

Hard refresh of individual pages

All common browsers let you clear the cache of a single page by pressing Ctrl + F5 (on a Mac Cmd + Shift + R). The cache of the current page is cleared and the page reloads. The changes to the page should now be visible.

Clearing the Mozilla Firefox cache

1. Open Mozilla Firefox
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Del at the same time
3. In the first drop-down menu, select Everything to clear the entire time range
4. Tick Cache
5. Now click OK

Clearing the Google Chrome cache

1. Open Google Chrome
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Del at the same time
3. Open the Advanced tab
4. Under Time range, select All time
5. Activate Cached images and files
6. Then click Clear data

Clearing the Safari cache

Option 1

On a Mac, clear the cache with the keyboard shortcut [cmd] + [alt] + [E].

Option 2

Clear the Safari cache via the Develop menu.

1. Open Safari and click Safari > Settings in the menu bar at the top left.
2. In the settings, go to Advanced at the top right and tick Show Develop menu in menu bar. The option Develop then appears in the menu bar.
3. Click the option you just added and select Empty Caches.

Microsoft Edge & Internet Explorer

1. Open Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Del at the same time
3. Under Time range, select All time
4. Activate Cached images and files
5. Then click Clear now