Clear your Web Browser's Cache and Cookies


Overview


Follow the steps below to remove the cache and cookie data from your web browser. Clearing cache and cookies is a good initial step to take when troubleshooting issues with most websites or web applications. Both cookie and cache files contain data that could conflict with current state of the site or your user account information.

Cookies are small files that contain user data which are downloaded in the background when visiting a site. Cookies can store browsing activity to remember user preferences and information.

Cache files are small files downloaded in the background when visiting a website that allow for faster loading times in the future. They contain some site contents so that you do not have to download all of the site data when visiting again.

On this page:

Critical Concepts


Steps to Take


Computer Browsers

Chrome

  1. On Chrome in the top right, click the Menu icon (three dots)
  2. Select Clear Browsing Data...
  3. Set Time Range to All time to delete all cache and cookies
  4. Make sure "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are checked, then click Clear data
  5. Restart browser

Firefox

  1. On Firefox in the top right, click the Menu icon (three lines)
  2. Select Settings
  3. Select Privacy and Security tab on the left
  4. Scroll down to "Cookies and Site Data" section, then select Clear Data...
  5. Make sure "Cookies and Site Data" and "Cached Web Content" are checked, then click Clear
  6. Restart browser

Safari (Mac)

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the top left of your screen (above window). Select Settings... from drop-down menu
  2. In the Preferences window, select Privacy tab
  3. Click Manage Website Data...
  4. Select Remove All, then Remove Now.
  5. Restart browser

Microsoft Edge

  1. On Microsoft Edge in the top right, click the Menu icon (three dots)
  2. Select History, then click the trash can icon
  3. Set Time Range to All time to delete all cache and cookies
  4. Make sure "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are checked, then click Clear now
  5. Restart browser

Mobile Browsers


Chrome

  1. On Chrome in the top right, click the Menu icon (three dots)
  2. Select Clear browsing data
  3. Set Time Range to All time to delete all cache and cookies
  4. Click Clear data
  5. Restart browser

Safari (iOS)

  1. On your home screen, open the Settings app (gear icon)
  2. Scroll down in settings and select Safari
  3. Scroll down and click Clear History and Website Data
  4. Restart browser

If you still have questions or need additional assistance, please contact the ITS Service Desk. You can call us at (858) 246-4357, email us at support@ucsd.edu, or submit a ticket at support.ucsd.edu.