How to refresh your browser cache
A quick guide to help you fix pages that look out of date, broken, or aren’t working properly.
What is a browser cache?
Your browser, like Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox, saves parts of websites on your device so they load faster next time. This is called a cache.
Most of the time, this is helpful. But sometimes your browser keeps showing an old version of a page instead of the latest one.
Why refresh your cache?
Refreshing your cache can help if:
- A page looks broken or out of date
- You’ve been told something has changed but you can’t see it
- Buttons, forms or links aren’t working properly
- Images or content are missing
- A website is loading strangely on your device
It’s a quick fix and one of the first things you can check before looking for help.
Try a quick refresh first
Before clearing your cache, try a hard refresh. This reloads the page and tells your browser to check for the latest version.
Windows or Chromebook
⌃ Ctrl + F5
or
⌃ Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + R
Mac
⌘ Command + ⇧ Shift + R
This works in most browsers.
How to clear your cache
Choose the device and browser you’re using and follow the steps below.
Desktop Windows & Mac OS
Google Chrome
- Open Google Chrome.
- Select the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.
- Select Delete browsing data.
- Choose a Time range. Select All time if you want to completely clear the cache.
- Make sure Cached images and files is selected.
- If you only want to clear the cache, leave Browsing history and Cookies and other site data unticked but be aware you may need to try clearing Cookies and other site data as well if your problem persists.
- Select Delete data.
- Reload the website you were having problems with.
Tip: You can also open the Delete browsing data window using:
- Windows/Chromebook:
Ctrl + Shift + Delete - Mac:
Command + Shift + Delete
Still having problems? You may also need to clear Cookies and other site data. This can help resolve some website issues, but it may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
Microsoft Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Select the three dots (…) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Delete browsing data, select Choose what to clear.
- Choose a Time range. Select All time if you want to completely clear the cache.
- Make sure Cached images and files is selected.
- If you only want to clear the cache, leave the other options unticked but you may find you will need to also clear cookies and other site data in order to resolve the issue.
- Select Clear now.
- Reload the website you were having problems with.
Keyboard shortcut
You can go directly to the Delete browsing data window using:
- Windows:
Ctrl + Shift + Delete - Mac:
Command (⌘) + Shift + Delete
Still having problems? You may also need to clear Cookies and other site data. This can help resolve some website issues, but it may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
Safari on Mac
- Open Safari.
- From the menu bar at the top of the screen, select Safari.
- Select Settings.
- Select Privacy.
- Select Manage Website Data.
- Find the website you’re having problems with. You can use the search box to find it quickly.
- Select the website, then select Remove.
- Select Done.
- Reload the website and try again.
Still having problems?
You can select Remove All under Manage Website Data to clear stored website data for all websites.
Please note: Removing website data also clears cookies and other stored information. This may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox.
- Select the menu button (☰) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data.
- Select Clear Data.
- Make sure Temporary cached files and pages is selected.
- If you only want to clear the cache, leave Cookies and site data unticked.
- Select Clear.
- Reload the website you were having problems with.
Still having problems?
Try following the steps again and also select Cookies and site data. Clearing this information can resolve problems with websites or signing in.
Please note: Clearing cookies and site data may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
Android
Android – Google Chrome
The steps can look slightly different depending on your phone and browser version.
- Open Chrome.
- Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Choose a Time range. Select All time to completely clear the cache.
- Make sure Cached images and files is selected. If you only want to clear the cache, leave the other options unticked although be aware you might need to include cookies and other site data in order to resolve the issue.
- Tap Delete data.
Still having problems? You may also need to clear Cookies and other site data. This can help resolve some website issues, but it may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
Android – Samsung Internet
- Open Samsung Internet.
- Tap the menu button (☰) at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Personal browsing data.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Select Cached images and files.
- Leave the other options unticked if you only want to clear the cache.
- Tap Delete data.
- Tap Delete to confirm.
- Reload the website you were having problems with.
Still having problems?
Try following the steps again and also select Cookies and site data. Clearing this information can help resolve some website and sign-in problems.
Please note: Clearing cookies and site data may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
Android – Firefox
- Open Firefox.
- Tap the three dots (⋮).
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Select Cached images and files.
- Leave the other options unticked if you only want to clear the cache.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Confirm by tapping Delete.
- Open the website again and try again.
Still having problems? Try again and also select Cookies and site data. This may sign you out of websites.
Android – Microsoft Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Tap the menu (☰) at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Privacy and security.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Choose a Time range.
- Select All time if you want to completely clear the cache.
- Make sure Cached images and files is selected.
- If you only want to clear the cache, leave the other options unticked.
- Tap Delete data.Reload the website you were having problems with.
Still having problems? You may also need to clear Cookies and other site data. This can help resolve some website issues, but it may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
iPhone and iPad (IOS)
Safari on iPhone or iPad
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap Apps.
- Tap Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Choose the timeframe you want to clear.
- Tap Clear History to confirm.
- Open Safari again and try the website.
Please note: Clearing website data can remove cookies and other stored website information and may sign you out of websites.
iPhone and iPad – Google Chrome
The steps can look slightly different depending on your phone and browser version.
- Open Chrome.
- Tap the three dots (•••).
- Tap Delete Browsing Data.
- Select Cached Images and Files.
Note you might also need to select Cookies and other site data - Choose the Time Range you want to clear.
- Tap Delete Data and confirm.
Still having problems? You may also need to clear Cookies and other site data. This can help resolve some website issues, but it may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
Firefox on iPhone or iPad
- Open Firefox.
- Tap the menu button (☰).
- Tap Settings.
- Under Privacy, tap Data Management.
- Make sure Cache is selected.
- Turn off the other options if you only want to clear the cache.
- Tap Clear Private Data and confirm.
- Open the website again and try again.
Still having problems? Try again with Cookies selected as well. Clearing cookies may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
Edge on iPhone or iPad
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Tap the menu (☰) at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Privacy and security.
- Tap Delete browsing data.
- Choose a Time range.
- Select All time if you want to completely clear the cache.
- Make sure Cached images and files is selected.
- If you only want to clear the cache, leave the other options unticked.
- Tap Delete now and confirm if asked.
- Reload the website you were having problems with.
Still having problems? You may also need to clear Cookies and other site data. This can help resolve some website issues, but it may sign you out of websites, so you’ll need to log in again.
Still having issues?
If you’re still stuck, and it’s a college service or something you are trying to access a website via a college device for your studies email digitalservices@dumgal.ac.uk and let them know:
- What device you’re using
- Which browser you’re using
- What page you’re trying to use
- What is not working
We’ll help you get it sorted.
