How to Clear Cache in Chrome

Clearing your Chrome cache should feel like a small, surgical fix — not a gamble that signs you out of everything or deletes precious bookmarks. Yet when a website shows old content, a web app breaks after an update, or your browser feels bloated, knowing how to clear cache in Chrome becomes the most reliable first step. It’s quick, usually safe, and often immediately fixes visual glitches, login issues, and version mismatches.

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Below I’ll walk you through the exact steps for desktop and mobile, show precise alternatives (per-site clearing, DevTools hard reload), explain what each option does, and give practical rules for when — and when not — to clear the cache.

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Why clearing the cache helps (and what it actually removes)

Browser cache stores copies of images, scripts, and other resources to make sites load faster. When a site updates, Chrome sometimes keeps the older files and serves those instead of the new ones — that’s when you see broken layouts, outdated content, or JavaScript that refuses to behave.

What clearing cache removes: Cached images & files (temporary resource copies).
What it may also remove if you choose: Cookies and other site data (can sign you out), browsing history, autofill data (if selected). Use the controls to avoid deleting more than you need.

Official Google support explains these delete options and where to find the “Clear browsing data” controls.

Quick method — desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)

1. Open Chrome.

2. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) at the top right → More tools → Clear browsing data.

   • Or press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + Shift + Delete (Mac) to open the dialog instantly.

3. In the dialog, choose the Time range (last hour, 24 hours, last 7 days, 4 weeks, or All time).

4. Check Cached images and files. If you only want cache, uncheck others (like Cookies).

5. Click Clear data.

Tip: choose All time only when you want a complete reset. If a single page is misbehaving, start with Last hour or 24 hours. Official documentation lists the same steps for Chrome Desktop.

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Quick method — Android & iOS

1. Open Chrome on your phone.

2. Tap the three-dot menu → History → Clear browsing data.

3. Select the Time range and Cached images and files (and other items only if desired).

4. Tap Clear data.

Android-specific instructions and quick actions (type “Clear browsing data” in the address bar) are available from Chrome Help.

Advanced: clear cache for a single site (preserve others)

• Visit the website. Click the lock icon (left of the address bar) → Site settings → Clear data (or Cookies and site data).

• Or go to Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data → See all site data and permissions, search the site and Remove.

This is the safest way to fix a specific site without losing sign-ins or preferences elsewhere.

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When a page still shows old content — use DevTools “Empty cache and hard reload”

If clearing browsing data doesn’t force the browser to fetch fresh resources:

1. Open the page, press F12 (or Ctrl+Shift+I / ⌘+Option+I) to open DevTools.

2. Right-click the reload button (near the address bar) — you’ll see:

   • Normal Reload

   • Hard Reload

   • Empty Cache and Hard Reload

3. Choose Empty Cache and Hard Reload. This clears the cache for the page and reloads all resources from the server.

When to use: web developers or when a web app’s JavaScript/CSS is stubbornly outdated.

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Service workers, PWAs, and stubborn caches

Progressive Web Apps and service workers can cache aggressively. To remove stored service worker cache:

1. Open DevTools → Application tab → Service Workers → click Unregister.

2. Under Application → Clear storage, check items and click Clear site data.

Be cautious: unregistering a service worker can change offline behavior for that site.

Automating cache clearing and privacy options

• Clear on exit: Chrome can be configured to clear cookies & site data when you close Chrome (Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data → Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows). This is handy on shared machines but will sign you out of most sites.

• Extensions: Toolbar extensions can clear cache quickly, but pick trusted extensions from the Chrome Web Store and review permissions.

Enterprise admins can enforce data clearance using Chrome policies (useful when managing multiple machines).

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Real-world mini case study

A publisher updated their CMS styles, but readers still saw the old styling. Clearing the cache globally helped, but many users didn’t want to sign back in. The faster resolution: instruct power users to perform an Empty Cache and Hard Reload for the broken page or to clear cache for that site only via site settings — which fixed the issue while preserving most other sessions.

What clearing the cache won’t do

• It won’t remove saved passwords unless you explicitly select that option.

• It won’t uninstall extensions or delete bookmarks.

• It may sign you out if you clear cookies or “site data”; double-check which boxes are ticked.

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Troubleshooting checklist

• Page still looks old? Try Ctrl/⌘+F5 (hard refresh) or DevTools Empty Cache and Hard Reload.

• Only one site broken? Clear that site’s data via lock icon → site settings.

• Mobile issues? Clear browsing data in Chrome app or try incognito to verify.

• Persistent service worker caching? Unregister the service worker in DevTools.

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Key Takeaways

• Clearing cache in Chrome fixes stale content, layout problems, and version mismatches without reinstalling the browser.

• Use Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Delete to open Clear Browsing Data quickly on desktop.

• Prefer per-site clearing when you want to avoid signing out everywhere.

• Use DevTools → Empty Cache and Hard Reload for stubborn pages and developers.

• Clearing cookies and site data will sign you out — uncheck them if you only need to remove cached files.

• For PWAs and service workers, clear site storage and unregister service workers via DevTools.

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FAQs (People Also Ask)

Q: Will clearing the cache in Chrome delete my passwords?
A: No — cached images and files are separate. Passwords are only removed if you select Passwords and other sign-in data in the Clear Browsing Data dialog.

Q: How often should I clear Chrome cache?
A: Only when you have a problem (page not updating, layout broken) or you need to free space. Regular automatic clearing is useful on shared or public devices.

Q: How do I clear cache for a single site in Chrome?
A: Click the padlock icon in the address bar → Site settings → Clear data, or Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data → See all site data and permissions → remove the site.

Q: Does clearing cache speed up Chrome?
A: Clearing a huge, old cache can free disk space and sometimes improve performance, but cache is meant to speed up browsing. Only clear when necessary.

Conclusion

Knowing how to clear cache in Chrome is a small skill that pays off: it fixes loading issues, avoids confusion after site updates, and frees local storage. Start with targeted options (per-site clearing or a hard reload) to minimize collateral effects like signing out. If you manage multiple devices or users, consider automated policies or documented steps so others can follow the same safe routine.

Try clearing cache for just one problem page first (site settings or DevTools). If that resolves the issue, save the broader Clear Browsing Data step as a last resort. Subscribe to SmashingApps for more browser tips and troubleshooting guides.

Sources: Official Chrome Help (Clear browsing data instructions) and Chrome Help (Delete browsing data on Android). Google Help