Posted by Corissa Runde on March 13, 2023
Clearing your cache and cookies from time to time is good “tech hygiene,” and it can help you troubleshoot when your device is running slowly or you’re having trouble with an app.
When you use a browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc.), the browser saves some information from websites in its cookies and “cache”—the storage location that collects temporary data to help websites, browsers and apps load quickly.
Website slow to load? It could be your cache
So if you clear your browser’s cache and temporary internet files regularly, this helps your computer or device run optimally—and doing so can help fix certain problems, like a website loading slowly, or formatting issues on a web page.
Will clearing my cache delete my passwords?
Before you go ahead and clear your cache, you may wonder if this means you’ll lose the login credentials and passwords you may rely on to auto-complete for the websites you frequently visit. If you’re concerned about this, pay attention to which checkboxes you choose to select when you complete the cache-clearing process (the steps for which are different for each browser, and are outlined in the Clearing Browser Cache and Cookies KnowledgeBase guide).
For example: In Google Chrome, you can uncheck the “Passwords and other sign-in data” checkbox when you follow the steps outlined in the KB, and you will not lose your passwords.
How-to instructions by browser
And even though the DoIT Help Desk is always ready to help, you might even save yourself a support call or email if you try clearing your cache first. Use this KnowledgeBase guide to help you learn how to clear your cache and cookies in your desktop and mobile web browsers:
How to clear your browser cache and cookies
FAQs
Clear cache if you want to see a fresh version of the website, solve website loading issues, or free up space; Clear cookies if you want to remove search history on websites, e.g., Facebook, protect your data on a shared device, and prevent tracking.
Should I clear cache or cookies? ›
Clear cache if you want to see a fresh version of the website, solve website loading issues, or free up space; Clear cookies if you want to remove search history on websites, e.g., Facebook, protect your data on a shared device, and prevent tracking.
How do you clear your cache on your computer? ›
Android
- Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
- Swipe to the All tab.
- In the list of installed apps, find and select your web browser. Select Clear Data, and then Clear Cache.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
These files are cookies and cached images. While usually benign, these files sometimes create errors when loading a page or downloading a document. Clearing the cache and cookies will fix errors caused by these files.
Does clearing history clear cookies? ›
On macOS, Safari rules. Clearing your website visit history is simple: click History > Clear History. In the pop-up, pick a timeframe for how far back you want to erase. This is doing a lot more than deleting the browser history, however—it also takes out your cookies and data cache.
Is there a downside to clearing the cache? ›
For these reasons, it can be a good idea to clear a cache periodically – however, it is not recommended to do so on a daily basis. Frequent clearing of the cache will rob you of the benefits of quick data access. Most caches are set up to delete files automatically after a certain period of time.
How do I clear my cache and cookies? ›
In the Chrome app
- On your Android device, open Chrome .
- Tap More. Clear browsing data. To delete browsing history (including open tabs), choose a duration and tap Clear data. The default duration is 15 minutes. To choose more specific types of data you want to delete, tap More options.
In Chrome
- On your computer, open Chrome .
- At the top right, click More. Clear browsing data.
- Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
- Select the types of information you want to remove.
- Click Clear data.
To delete temporary files:
- In the search box on the taskbar, type disk cleanup, and select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
- Select the drive you want to clean up, and then select OK.
- Under Files to delete, select the file types to get rid of. To get a description of the file type, select it.
- Select OK.
Here's how:
- Access the Settings app: Press Windows key + I.
- Head to “Storage”: Select “System” from the Settings menu, then click on “Storage.”
- Clear temp files: Under “Storage sense,” click on “Temporary files.” Check the box next to “Temporary files” and select “Remove files.”
After you clear cache and cookies: Some settings on sites get deleted. For example, if you were signed in, you'll need to sign in again. If you turn sync on in Chrome, you'll stay signed into the Google Account you're syncing to in order to delete your data across all your devices.
What are the disadvantages of clearing cookies and cache? ›
However, keep in mind that clearing cookies may log you out of websites and remove personalized settings. It's a good practice to clear cache and cookies periodically to ensure optimal browsing performance, but weigh the pros and cons based on your specific needs before making a decision.
What goes away when you clear cache? ›
Simply offload the individual app to free up some temporary space on your device. Tip: Clearing the cache simply clears temporary files. It won't erase login credentials, downloaded files, or custom settings.
Is it better to delete or clear history? ›
Your computer's search history is like a diary of your life. If you don't delete it regularly, you might be exposing more sensitive data than you think. So it's a good idea to clear your browsing history now and then. And if you ever use a public computer, always clear your search history after each session.
Is it a good idea to remove all cookies? ›
Deleting the cache and cookies data regularly helps to troubleshoot, helps to increase the loading time of web pages, loads new versions of web pages and increases the performance of your computer.
How often should I clear the cache and cookies? ›
However, for a typical internet user, our suggestion is to empty your cache approximately once or twice every month.
What is the downside of clearing cookies? ›
Loss of Personalization: Clearing cookies removes all saved preferences and settings on websites that rely on this data to provide personalized experiences. For example, if you clear cookies from an e-commerce website, you may lose saved items in your shopping cart or customized recommendations.
Does clearing cache or cookies delete passwords? ›
If they are or you're using a third-party password management program, clearing your cookies won't clear your passwords, but it may cause you to have to log in using the saved credentials.
How often should I clear my cache? ›
How often do I need to clear my cache? Most people only need to clear their caches once every month or two. That's generally the point when your browser will build up a cache large enough to start slowing things down. If you frequent a large number of sites, you should err on the side of clearing your cache more often.
