Purpose: The reader will be able to clear their web browser of cookies and cache after reading the article.


Additional Details: Many issues with log-ins or site access can be resolved by simply clearing browser cookies and cache, which forces the browser to receive fresh information from the web server.


For more information on cookies, cache, and their uses, please see the article:

Applies to: Everyone
System: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari


Note: You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac) to open the Clear browsing data dialog directly in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.


Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome on your computer.
  2. Click the three-dot menu at the top right of the browser window.
  3. In the menu that drops down, find "Delete browsing data..."and click it.
    Chrome's three-dot menu open, with 'Delete browsing data...' highlighted as step 3.
  4. The Delete browsing data dialog appears, you can select the time range ("All time" is recommended) and check the boxes for what you would like to delete. Ensure Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, and Site settings are checked. You can also delete the various histories and autofill data if you wish.
  5. Click the Delete from this device button. You have cleared your cache and cookies from Google Chrome.
    Delete browsing data dialog with the Delete from this device button highlighted as step 5.


Microsoft Edge:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge on your computer.
  2. Click the three-dot menu at the top right of the browser window.
  3. In the menu that drops down, find "Delete browsing data..."and click it.
    Edge's three-dot menu open, with 'Delete browsing data...' highlighted as step 3.
  4. The Delete browsing data dialog appears, you can select the time range ("All time" is recommended) and check the boxes for what you would like to delete. Ensure Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, and Site permissions are checked. You can also delete the various histories and autofill data if you wish.
  5. Click the "Clear now"button. You have cleared your cache and cookies from Microsoft Edge.
    Delete browsing data dialog with the Clear now button highlighted as step 5.

Note: If you are syncing your browser across devices, clearing data on one device will clear it for all devices. If this is unwanted, unsync your browser before clearing data.


Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox on your computer.
  2. Click the three-line menu at the top right of the browser window.
  3. In the menu that drops down, find "Settings"and click it.
    Firefox's menu open, with 'Settings' highlighted as step 3.
  4. Now, within the browser settings, find the Privacy & Security section.
    Firefox Settings page with the Privacy & Security section highlighted as step 4.
  5. Within the Privacy & Security section, scroll down until you see Cookies and Site Data. Then click the Clear browsing databutton.
    Privacy & Security section scrolled to Cookies and Site Data, with the Clear browsing data button highlighted as step 5.
  6. The Delete browsing data dialog appears; you can select the time range ("All time" is recommended) and check the boxes for what you would like to delete. Ensure Cookies and other site data, Temporary cached files and pages, and Site settings are checked. You can also delete the various histories and autofill data if you wish.
  7. Click the "Clear" button. You have cleared your cache and cookies from Mozilla Firefox.
    Delete browsing data dialog with the Clear button highlighted as step 7.


Apple Safari


For information on how to clear your cache and cookies in Safari, please see: This article provided directly by Apple (opens in new tab).


Wrap-Up


We covered the most common browsers in this article, but almost all browsers have a way to clear browsing history, cache, and cookies. Cleaning out your browsers every now and then can help keep things running smoothly and avoid hard-to-diagnose issues.