Clearing the cache and cookies from a web browser is an important first step for almost any troubleshooting for internet browsing. The 'cache' is a tool your internet browser uses to speed up page loading. However, sometimes, it can cause a problem when websites are updated and developed, as files saved in the cache may conflict with what's newly coded into the website. Clearing cache and cookies is a way to ensure that any issues you may come across are something wrong with the website rather than inconsistencies caused by using different browsers.
If you are using Internet Explorer, Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, you can quickly clear cache with a keyboard shortcut. While in your browser, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete simultaneously on the keyboard to open the appropriate window.
IMPORTANT: Be sure and close/quit the browser and restart it after clearing the cache and cookies.
1. Click the Tools menu (three dots in the upper-right corner)
2. Select History
3. Select Clear Browsing Data from the left-hand side. Set the Time Range to All Time. Check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files and select Clear Data.
4. If on a Windows computer, close and reopen Chrome for changes to take effect. If on an Apple (Mac) computer, Quit and reopen the browser to save changes.
1. Click on the Tools bar (three bars in top-right corner).
2. Click History
3. On the menu to the right, select Clear Recent History.
4. Select time range: Everything
5. Select the options, Cookies, Cache, Active Logins, Site settings, and Offline website data.
6. Click OK
7. On a Windows computer, close and reopen Firefox to save. On an Apple (Mac) computer Quit and reopen Firefox to save changes.
1. Click on Safari on the top menu bar.
2. Click Settings
3. Click the Privacy tab.
4. Click Manage Website Data.
5. Click Remove All.
6. Click Remove Now.
7. Go to the Safari menu on the top menu bar.
8. Select Quit to close Safari and save your changes
1. Click the Tools menu (three dots in the upper-right corner) and open Settings.
2. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left-side menu.
3. Under the section Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
4. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
5. Click Clear Now.
6. Close Microsoft Edge and reopen for changes to take effect.
Credit to University of Iowa IT Services for photos and instructions.