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There’s no universal schedule for clearing your browser cache. If websites work normally, let the browser manage it. Clear cached files when a page loads or displays incorrectly, seems out of date, or you need to free local storage.

When should you clear your cache?

Use the problem—not a weekly or monthly calendar—as your cue. The official browser support guidance cited here explains reasons to clear cache but does not prescribe a recurring interval.

  • Pages work normally: Leave the cache alone. Browsers keep copies of resources such as images so repeat visits can load faster.
  • A page loads incorrectly or looks outdated: Clear cached images and files, then reload the affected site. Clearing cache makes the browser fetch those resources again, so the next visit may be slower.
  • You need to free local storage: Cache can be one source of data to remove. Select cached files specifically if you do not want to delete other browsing data.

Google lists loading or formatting problems, getting current website content, and freeing local storage as reasons to clear cache and cookies (Google Account Help). Microsoft also includes clearing cached files among possible troubleshooting steps for Edge display problems (Microsoft Support).

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What clearing cache does—and what it does not do

Cache consists of stored copies of site resources, such as images, that help pages load faster on later visits. When you remove those copies, the browser has to download resources again. Google cautions that some sites may seem slower the first time you visit them after clearing cache (Google Account Help).

#1 Best Overall
Sale
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21 V5)
  • DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
  • AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
  • CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
  • EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
  • OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.

Cache is separate from cookies and other browsing data. Cookies and website data can hold sign-in information and site preferences; deleting them may sign you out or change how sites behave. History, saved passwords, autofill information, and permissions are also separate categories in browser controls. Check the selected categories before confirming a deletion.

If your goal is to sign out, remove site preferences, or address tracking, consider whether cookies or website data—not just cached files—are what you need to remove. Those choices have broader effects than clearing cache alone.

Rank #2
Sale
TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router Dual Band Wireless Internet Router (Archer A54)
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
  • Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
  • Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
  • Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
  • Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks

How to clear cached files in common browsers

Menu names can change with browser updates. In each case, select only the data type needed for your goal; avoid selecting cookies, history, passwords, or other categories unless you intend to remove them.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Google Chrome on a computer

  1. Open Chrome and choose More (the three-dot menu) > Delete browsing data.
  2. Choose a time range, such as Last hour or All time.
  3. Select Cached images and files. Review the other selected categories before proceeding.
  4. Choose Delete data, then reload the affected site.

Chrome lists cache separately from cookies and site data, history, autofill, permissions, and hosted-app data. If you use sync, deleting data may affect other synced devices or your Google Account; check the sync settings and account context before confirming (Chrome Help).

Rank #3
NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router R6700AX, Up to 1,500 sq ft, 1.8 Gbps
  • NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
  • WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
  • SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
  • READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
  • COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.

Chrome on Android

  1. Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu, then choose Delete browsing data.
  2. Choose a duration and review the available data types.
  3. Select the cached files category you want to remove, leaving cookies and other data unselected unless you also want to delete them.
  4. Confirm the deletion and revisit the affected page.

Google’s Android guidance notes that clearing cache and cookies can help with loading or formatting problems, display current site content, or free local storage. Removing site data may also remove some settings, require signing in again on some sites, and make pages initially slower (Google Account Help).

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Edge and choose Settings and more (the three-dot menu) > Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, choose Choose what to clear.
  3. Choose a time range and select Cached images and files.
  4. Check other selected categories, then choose Clear now.

Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance includes clearing browsing history and cached images or files as one possible response to display problems, with All time available as a time range (Microsoft Support). Edge separates cache from cookies, history, downloads, passwords, autofill, and permissions. Whether deletion affects other devices depends on Edge sync settings (Microsoft Support).

Rank #4
Sale
TP-Link BE6500 Dual-Band WiFi 7 Router (BE400)
  • 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 - Designed with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, featuring Multi-Link Operation (MLO), Multi-RUs, and 4K-QAM. Achieve optimized performance on latest WiFi 7 laptops and devices, like the iPhone 16 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
  • 𝟔-𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟔.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐭𝐡 - Achieve full speeds of up to 5764 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band with 6 streams. Enjoy seamless 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and incredibly fast downloads/uploads.
  • 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Get up to 2,400 sq. ft. max coverage for up to 90 devices at a time. 6x high performance antennas and Beamforming technology, ensures reliable connections for remote workers, gamers, students, and more.
  • 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
  • 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.

Safari on iPhone

To clear history and website data, open Settings > Apps > Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data. To remove website data while keeping history, go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data, then choose the available removal option. Apple notes that removing website data can affect sign-ins, tracking, and site behavior (Apple Support).

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Safari on Mac

In Safari, open Safari > Settings > Privacy, then choose Manage Website Data. You can remove data for selected sites or all sites. Apple warns that removing website data can sign you out or change site behavior (Apple Support).

Best Value
TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit Dual Band WiFi Router (Archer A6)
  • Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
  • Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
  • Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
  • MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
  • Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

If clearing cache does not fix the problem

Clearing cache is a troubleshooting step, not a guaranteed fix. If an Edge page still displays incorrectly or the browser remains unreliable, Microsoft also recommends considering extensions, restarting the browser, and checking network conditions (Microsoft Support). For other browsers, use their current official troubleshooting guidance rather than repeatedly deleting more categories of data without a specific reason.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21 V5)
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21 V5)
VPN SERVER: Archer AX21 Supports both Open VPN Server and PPTP VPN Server
$69.99
SaleBestseller No. 2
TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router Dual Band Wireless Internet Router (Archer A54)
TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router Dual Band Wireless Internet Router (Archer A54)
Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
$29.99
Bestseller No. 5
TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit Dual Band WiFi Router (Archer A6)
TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit Dual Band WiFi Router (Archer A6)
MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
$44.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.