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Clear Browser Cache

Users may find that clearing a browser's cached files and cookies resolves many common errors encountered with webpages and web apps. This step should be taken whenever a webpage or web app is not performing or displaying as expected, or to troubleshoot general browser performance issues. 

How to clear the cache and cookies of the most common browsers:

Google Chrome

  • Select the Menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner of the Chrome browser window
  • In the drop-down menu, hover over More tools and select Clear browsing data
  • Under the Basic tab, set the Time range drop-down box to All time
  • Check only boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files
  • Select Clear data
  • Close all browser windows and re-open Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

  • Select the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of the Firefox browser window
  • Select History in the drop-down menu, then Clear Recent History
  • Set the Time range to clear drop-down option to Everything
  • Check all boxes on the page (Browsing & Download History, Form & Search History, Cookies, Cache, Active Logins, Offline Website Data, and Site Preferences). Note: If you do not see check-boxes, select the drop-down arrow to the left of Details
  • Select Clear Now
  • Close all browser windows and re-open Firefox

Internet Explorer

  • Select the Settings button (gear-shaped icon) in the top-right corner of the Internet Explorer browser window
  • Select Internet Options from the drop-down menu
  • Under the General tab, select the Delete button under the Browsing History header near the bottom of the options window
  • Un-check the Preserve Favorites website data box
  • Check the boxes Temporary Internet files and website files, Cookies and website data, and History
  • Select the Delete button
  • Close all browser windows and re-open Internet Explorer

Microsoft Edge

  • Select the Menu icon (three horizontal dots) in the top-right corner, then Settings
  • Under Clear browsing data, select the Choose what to clear button
  • Check only the boxes Cookies and saved website data and Cached data and files
  • Select the Clear button 
  • Close all browser windows and re-open Edge

Safari (OSX)

  • Select Safari in the upper-left hand side of your screen. In the new menu, select Preferences
  • In the new window, select the Privacy tab and then the button Remove All Website Data
  • Select Remove Now in the pop-up window

Safari (iOS)

  • Launch the Settings app from the home screen of your iPhone or iPad
  • Scroll down and select Safari
  • Scroll to the bottom and select Advanced
  • Select Website Data
  • Scroll to the bottom again and select Remove All Website Data
  • Confirm one last time that you'd like to delete all data