Clear Your Browser Cache

All major web browsers cache website components such as HTML pages, images and stylesheets. The first time you visit a site, the browser will save pieces of the site, because the browser can display the files stored in its cache much faster than it can pull fresh files from a server. The next time you visit that site, the cached files will help cut down the page load time.

This improves performance, but it can create errors or inconsistencies if the cached information falls out of sync as the website evolves over time. This is when you may encounter browser errors like run time error, buttons missing on the page, the action you are trying to perform not completing, etc. Clearing browser data (also known as clearing your browser cache) may fix these kinds of errors. Instructions on how to clear all or selected portions of your browser's cache are provided below.

Please be aware that clearing browser cache can remove some information you may want to keep, such as browsing history and cookies (saved data like your email address or name.)  Please bookmark your preferred sites and ensure you know all your passwords before clearing your browser cache.

Please note that the specific steps for each browser may change as the browser updates to a new version. If you are having trouble following these steps, try searching these terms in your preferred search engine: "clear cache" and the name of your browser (Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, etc).

Clear your entire browser cache

Version 91
(updated May 28, 2024)

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click the three dots in the upper-right corner.
  3. Select Clear browsing data.
  4. Select the drop down menu marked Time Range. To delete everything , select All Time.
  5. Check the boxes next to these items: Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. You may also want to check the boxes for Browsing history and Download history (under Advanced tab).
  6. Click Clear data.

Version 13
(updated May 28, 2024)

  1. On your computer, open the Safari browser.
  2. Click on the Safari menu in the top left hand corner next to the Apple symbol.
  3. Click on Settings...
  4. A new dialogue box will open and you will click Privacy.
  5. Click on the Manage Website Data option.
  6. To remove any cached data and cookies from your computer, click Remove All.
  7. A new dialogue box will open and you will click Remove Now.
  8. Wait a few moments, then click Done.
  9. Close the dialogue box remaining and press Command +Q to quit Safari.

Version 74
(updated May 28, 2024)

  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your computer.
  2. Select the Privacy & Security panel.
  3. In the Cookies and Site Data section, click Clear Data.
  4. Remove the check mark in front of Cookies and Site Data.
  5. For more information about managing site data, see Manage local site storage settings.
  6. With Cached Web Content check marked, click the Clear button.
  7. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Version 11
(updated May 28, 2024)

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. In the upper-right corner of Internet Explorer, click the  (Tools) icon, then select Internet options.
  3. Click the Delete button in the Browsing history section.
  4. Select only the options for Temporary Internet files and Cookies.*
  5. Click Delete.
  6. Close all Internet Explorer windows.

Version 86
(updated May 28, 2024)

  1. Open Microsoft Edge and select the menu button (the 3 horizontal dots in the upper-right corner.)
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Under Clear browsing data > Clear browsing data now , Select Choose what to wear
  4. Under Time range, choose a time range from the drop-down menu.
  5. Choose the types of browsing data you want to clear. For example, you may want to remove browsing history and cookies but keep passwords and form fill data.
  6. Select Clear now.

Clear your cache for a specific website

For the most up-to-date instructions on clearing your cache for a specific website, CUIT recommends running a search with the current year,  "clear cache for specific website" and the name of your browser (Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, etc).