When troubleshooting online issues, you might often hear suggestions to clear your browser cache, delete cookies, or use an Incognito window. These might sound simple, but they work wonders!
Why clearing cache or cookies can help
Browsers store data like login details and old website versions to speed up loading times. Instead of downloading it again, browsers access this locally stored data whenever you open a website.
However, this cached data can sometimes cause issues:
Outdated information may be displayed.
Login problems can arise.
Pages may fail to load correctly.
Clearing the cache ensures your browser fetches the latest website version.
Incognito mode vs. clearing cache and cookies
If you are wondering which of the two you must use, remember these tips:
Incognito mode allows you to browse privately without affecting your saved browser data. Each session starts fresh, and any cached data or cookies are deleted when the session ends.
It is helpful for testing issues without impacting your regular browser setup.Clearing cache and cookies affects the entire browser and may log you out of websites. It is ideal for fixing broader issues or replacing outdated files with updated versions.
Another helpful procedure is performing a hard refresh. However, not all browsers support it. This action clears the cache for the specific webpage and reloads it from scratch, obtaining all available updates.
How to do it in popular browsers
Here is how to do all three actions in the most popular browsers:
| Clear cache and cookies | Use private browsing | Reset browser |
Chrome | |||
Firefox | |||
Safari | |||
Edge |