Questions
- How do I clear my web browser's cache and cookies?
- How do I clear the cache and cookies in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari?
- A website is not loading correctly. How do I clear my cache to fix it?
- How do I clear my browser cache on my iPhone or Android phone?
- What keyboard shortcut opens the clear browsing data menu?
- How can I troubleshoot a website without clearing my cache?
Environment
This article applies to Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff using a web browser on Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android. Web browsers store website data (cache) and user-specific information (cookies) to provide a faster, more personalized web experience. Manually clearing the cache and cookies may solve problems when a website does not load correctly.
Resolution
Important: Clearing the cache, cookies, and history may remove data you want to keep, such as saved passwords, recently typed URLs, and personalized website data like shopping cart items.
Tip: If you do not want to clear the cache, cookies, and history to troubleshoot a problem, use a private browsing window or a different web browser as a temporary solution. Keyboard shortcuts to open a private browsing window:
- Safari: Command + Shift + N
- Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Command + Shift + P (macOS)
- Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (macOS)
- Edge: Ctrl + Shift + P
In most desktop browsers you can open the clear cache, cookies, and history menu directly with a keyboard shortcut:
- Windows: Ctrl + Shift + Delete
- macOS: Command + Shift + Delete
Clear cache and cookies in Chrome
- On the browser toolbar, click More (three vertical dots), then select More Tools > Clear Browsing Data.
- In the Clear browsing data box, select the checkboxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Use the menu at the top to select the amount of data to delete. Choose beginning of time to delete everything, then click Clear browsing data.
- Quit Chrome and re-launch it.
Clear cache and cookies in Edge
- Click the Hub icon (three horizontal lines).
- Click the History icon (clock), then click Clear all history.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and saved website data, and Cached data and files, then click Clear.
- After the All Clear! message appears, quit Edge and re-launch it.
Clear cache and cookies in Firefox
- From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.
- From the Time range to clear drop-down menu, select the desired range, or select Everything to clear the entire cache.
- Expand Details by clicking the down arrow, and choose what to clear.
- Click Clear Now.
- Quit Firefox and re-launch it.
Clear cache and cookies in Safari
- From the Safari menu, select Clear History.
- Select the desired time range, then click Clear History.
- Go to Safari > Quit Safari to exit the browser, then re-launch it.
Clear cache and cookies in Safari on iOS
- Open Settings.
- Tap Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
- Quit the app and re-launch it.
Clear cache and cookies on Android
Instructions may differ depending on the model and software version of the Android device.
- Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
- Swipe to the All tab.
- In the list of installed apps, find and tap the web browser, then tap Clear Data and Clear Cache.
- Quit the app and re-launch it.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources