How do I clear my browser’s cache?

If a website looks broken, shows an old version after updates, or keeps loading the wrong layout, the fix is often simple: clear browser cache. Your browser saves temporary files (images, CSS, JavaScript) to load sites faster—but sometimes those cached files become outdated and cause display issues, login loops, or missing changes after a migration.

This Hosticko guide covers how to clear cache on Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Safari (desktop + mobile), plus quick “hard refresh” shortcuts when you want a faster fix.

When You Should Clear Browser Cache #

• You updated a website but still see the old design/content
• CSS looks wrong (missing styles, broken layout)
• Buttons or forms don’t work properly after updates
• You’re stuck in a login loop (especially after cookie/session changes)
• After DNS/hosting migration you still see old server pages

Before Clearing Everything: Try a Hard Refresh (Fast Option) #

A hard refresh forces the browser to re-download website files without fully clearing all cache for every site.

Hard Refresh Shortcuts #

• Windows (Chrome/Edge): Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R
• Mac (Chrome/Edge): Cmd + Shift + R
• Firefox: Ctrl + F5 (Windows) / Cmd + Shift + R (Mac)

If the issue persists, clear cache using the steps below.

Clear Cache in Google Chrome (Desktop) #

Method 1: Menu (Recommended) #

1. Open Chrome → click the ⋮ menu
2. Go to Settings → Privacy and security
3. Click Delete browsing data
4. Select Time range (choose All time if needed)
5. Tick:
   • Cached images and files (required)
   • Cookies and other site data (optional, but helps for login/session issues)
6. Click Delete data

Method 2: Shortcut #

Open the clear browsing dialog instantly:

• Windows: Ctrl + Shift + Delete
• Mac: Cmd + Shift + Delete

Google Chrome Help: Clear cache & cookies

Clear Cache in Microsoft Edge (Desktop) #

1. Open Edge → click the ⋯ menu
2. Go to Settings → Privacy, search, and services
3. Under “Clear browsing data”, click Choose what to clear
4. Select Time range
5. Select Cached images and files
6. Click Clear now

Microsoft: Clear browsing data in Edge

Clear Cache in Mozilla Firefox (Desktop) #

1. Open Firefox → click the ☰ menu
2. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security
3. Under “Cookies and Site Data”, click Clear Data…
4. Select Cached Web Content
5. (Optional) select Cookies and Site Data if login issues persist
6. Click Clear

Mozilla Support: Clear cache & cookies

Clear Cache in Safari (Mac) #

Safari cache clearing is a bit different. For full cache control, enable the Develop menu first.

Step 1: Enable Develop Menu #

1. Open Safari → Settings (or Preferences)
2. Go to Advanced
3. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar

Step 2: Empty Caches #

1. Click Develop in the top menu
2. Select Empty Caches

Alternative: Safari → Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove All (this can log you out of sites).

Apple: Manage cookies and website data in Safari

Clear Cache on Mobile Devices #

Chrome on Android #

1. Open Chrome → tap ⋮
2. Tap History → Clear browsing data
3. Select Cached images and files
4. Tap Clear data

Safari on iPhone/iPad (iOS) #

1. Open iPhone Settings
2. Scroll to Safari
3. Tap Clear History and Website Data

Note: On iOS, clearing Safari history and website data can sign you out of websites.

What Should You Clear? (Cache vs Cookies) #

People often clear the wrong thing. Here’s the difference:

• Cache: Saved site files (images/CSS/JS). Fixes layout and “old version” problems.
• Cookies: Login/session data. Fixes login loops, session errors, and account-related issues—but may sign you out.

Best practice: Start with cache only. If the problem is login/session related, clear cookies too.

Verification Checklist (Confirm It Worked) #

• Open the website in a new tab and refresh
• Try Incognito/Private mode to compare
• Check if the layout and content now match the latest update
• If you recently changed DNS, also flush DNS cache (device/router) for best results

Troubleshooting Table #

FAQ #

Will clearing cache delete my passwords? #

No—unless you select “Passwords and other sign-in data” while clearing browsing data. We recommend clearing only cache first.

Why does the issue come back after clearing cache? #

Either the website is still serving old cached files from a CDN/server cache, or your DNS hasn’t fully propagated. Try incognito, flush DNS, and test on a different network.

Should I clear cache for one site only? #

Yes, if possible. It avoids logging out of everything. Some browsers allow removing site data for a single domain in settings.

Need Help? #

If you cleared cache but still see an old version of your Hosticko-hosted website (especially after migration), contact support with your domain name and what changed (DNS, SSL, plugin update, etc.):

https://client.hosticko.com/submitticket.php

Related Hosticko Pages #

• Domain Registration
• WordPress Hosting
• cPanel Hosting