How to clear a Web browser's cache

Issue

Resolution

The steps to take depend on the Web browser

When you visit the same page for a second time, the browser speeds up display time by loading the page locally from the cache folder instead of downloading everything again. Sometimes the files stored in the cache folder may become corrupt and you may notice the browser is unable to display the page you requested. Sometimes the page you are viewing is out of date. Whatever the cause, it is a good practice to clear your browser's cache often.

To learn how to clear cookies from your browser, see the How to clear a Web browser's cookies Knowledge Base article.

Locate your browser on the list below, and then follow the steps to clear the cache.

Internet Explorer 7.0 (Windows)

• Click on the Tools button, which looks like a gear wheel on the right side of the toolbar, (or select the Tools menu) and then select Internet Options.
The Internet Options dialog box appears.
• Go to the General tab.
• Under the Browsing history section, found in the center, click the Delete... button. The Delete Browsing History dialog box appears.
• Click the Delete all... button
• The Delete Browsing History Are you sure you want to delete all Internet Explorer browsing history? dialog box appears. 
• Click the checkbox to select Also delete files and settings stored by add-ons and click the Yes button. This may take several minutes when there are a large number of files to delete.

Internet Explorer 6.0 or Earlier (Windows)

• From the Tools menu, select Internet Options...
• Select the General tab.
• In the Temporary Internet Files section, click the Delete Files... button.
• The Delete all files in the Temporary Internet Files dialog box appears.
• Check the click Delete all offline content option.
• Click OK. This may take several minutes when there are a large number of files to delete.

Mozilla Firefox 3.5 (Windows and Mac OS X 10.4 and above):

• From the Tools menu, select Clear Recent History... The Clear Recent History dialog box appears.
• From the Time range to clear: menu, select Everything.
• Under Details, select the Cache and Cookies options.
• Click OK. This may take several minutes when there are a large number of files to delete.

Mozilla Firefox 3.0 or Earlier (Windows and Mac OS X)

• From the Tools menu, select Clear Private Data... The Clear Private Data window appears.
• Select the Cache and Cookies options.
• Click Clear Private Data Now. This may take several minutes when there are a large number of files to delete.

Netscape, Mozilla (Windows)

• From the Edit menu, select Preferences...
• In the Category list that appears on the left, select Advanced.
• Expand the options under the Advanced category by clicking on the plus sign or triangle appearing to the left of Advanced.
• Select Cache from the list of options that appear under the Advanced category.
• From the Set Cache Options section, click the Clear Cache button. (In older versions, you may see Clear Disk Cache and Clear Memory Cache. If so, click each button.)
• Click OK. This may take several minutes when there are a large number of files to delete.

Safari (Mac OS X)

• From the Safari menu, select Empty Cache...
• The Are you sure you want to empty the cache? dialog box appears.
• Click Empty.

Internet Explorer (Mac OS X)

• From the Explorer menu, select Preferences...
• Click on the triangle appearing to the left of Web Browser.
• Click the Advanced option.
• In the Cache section, click the Empty Now button.
• Click OK.