Old cached files can occasionally cause a website to function incorrectly, and the process of “clearing” your browser’s cache can often fix many internet-related problems.
What is a Cache?
When you visit a website, your browser will save super-small files to your computer to help the website load faster the next time you visit. These files are called the browser’s cache.
Clearing Your Cache
Follow the instructions below to clear the cached internet files from your browser.
Google Chrome
In the top right corner of the Google Chrome browser window, click the menu button (). Then, click on Settings.
Next, select the Advanced link at the bottom of the page.
This selection will open additional browser settings.
Scroll down to the “Privacy and security” section and click the Clear browsing data button.
In the "Time Range" dropdown, choose All time. You can then check the boxes beside Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
Click the Clear data button and close the browser completely (all windows and tabs) to finish the process.
Internet Explorer
Open Internet Explorer, and click the gear icon ( ) in the upper right-hand corner. Then, click Internet Options.
Now, click the Delete… button under the “Browsing History” section.
Make sure you un-check the Preserve Favorites website data check box, check the Temporary Internet files and website files check box, and check the Cookies and website data check box.
Once you have checked the boxes you want to delete, click the Delete button at the bottom right of the dialogue box. The “Delete Browsing History” dialogue box will close.
Click the OK button on the “Internet Options” dialogue box, and as a final step, close the browser completely (all windows and tabs) to finish the process.
Firefox
In the top right corner, click the menu button ( ). Then, click the Gear icon (Options for PC users and Preferences for Mac users).
Select the Privacy & Security option (to the left of the browser) and locate the "Cached Web Content" section. You can then click the Clear Now button.
Once Firefox clears the cached data, click OK. Finally, close the browser completely (all windows and tabs) to finish the process.
Apple Safari (for Mac)
If you use Safari on a Mac, click the Safari menu in the tool bar and click on Preferences…
Next, select the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data...
You can then click Remove All at the bottom of the window.
When the "Are you sure...?" dialogue box appears, click Remove Now. Finally, close the browser completely (all windows and tabs) to finish the process.
Apple Safari (for Windows)
In Safari for Windows, click the gear icon ( ) in the top right corner. Then, click on Reset Safari…
Check the box labeled “Remove all website data” and click the Reset button.
Finally, close the browser completely (all windows and tabs) to finish the process.