Clearing Your Cache - Why? How? (2024)

When using your favorite web browser, files and webpages that you access are often stored (cached) to make pages load quicker when accessed again in the future. This is a standard feature in all web browsers. However, sometimes when you re-visit a site, any changes that have been made aren’t seen. This is becausesince the web browser isaccessing a previously cached version of the website, rather than the most up-to-date version. This can also causeerrors tooccur because you are viewing an “out of date” version of the file. Additionally, after enough time this can end up eating up the data storage space on your device.

Clearing out a web browser’s cache does not damage any information stored in a browser, such as bookmarks or your homepage. Instead, it simply makes the web browser think that you have not visited a webpage before. The next time you access a webpage after clearing your cache, the web browser will load and display the most recent version of the website, since it won’t have any previous versions stored. Think of it as a little spring-cleaning for your favorite browser on your desktop or mobile device.

But how do you clear your cache? Good question. We, at Burlington Telecom have listed below the steps to perform this for your favorite desktop or mobile browser.

Internet Explorer

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Internet Explorer 11 or above:

1. At the top of the page, click theGearmenu, under Browsing History click Delete.
2. Click the box forTemporary Internet files > confirm with Yes
3. Click the box forCookies files > confirm with Yes

Firefox

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Mozilla Firefox:

1. At the top of the page, click the3 linemenu, then selectHistoryfrom the list.
2. Click Clear Recent History, then in theTime Range drop-down menu, selectEverything.
3. Click the arrow symbol next toDetailsto open a list of options.
4. Check the boxes for Cookies and Cache.
5. ClickClear Now.

Google Chrome

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Google Chrome.

1. At the top-right of the page, click the three dot menu, then clickHistory.
2. Click theClearbrowsing databutton, then select the amount of time (e.g. today, last week, end of time) from the drop-down field.
3. Select theCached images and filescheckbox, then click theClear browsing databutton.

Safari

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Safari.

1. At the top of the page, click theSafari>Preferences>Advanced. Select theShow Develop menu in menu barcheckbox (if not already selected).
2. From the browser menu, clickDevelop>Empty Caches.
3. At the top of the page, click theSafari again > Reset Safari >then Reset.

Microsoft Edge

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Internet Explorer 8 or above:

1. At the top right of the page, click the three dot menu, then click settings.
2. Under Clear Browsing Data, click Choose What to Clear
3. Check the boxed for Cookies and Cached Data
4. ClickClear.

Mobile Safari

To clear the web browser’s cache when using Safari on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch:

1. At the home screen, tapSettings.
2. TapSafari.
3. Tap the button forClear History and Website Data.
4. TapClear History and Data again to confirm.

Chrome for Android

To clear the web browser’s cache when using the default browser on an Android device:

1. Touch Chrome menu >Settings.
2. Touch(Advanced) Privacy.
3. TouchClear browsing data.

*Due to varied Android platforms this may vary. See your device guide for instructions

Once you clear your web browser’s cache, it is a good idea to completey close out and restart your browser for this to take effect.