How to Clear Your Browser Cache, Cookies, and History

When to Use (or Why)?

  • Follow these instructions to clear cache, cookies, and browser history in either a Mac or PC. Clearing cache often resolves many issues when using Blackboard.
  • In most computer-based web browsers, to open menus used to clear your cache, cookies, and history, press Ctrl-Shift-Delete (Windows) or Command-Shift-Delete (Mac). If this doesn't work, follow the appropriate instructions below.
  • If you don't see instructions below for your specific version or browser, search your browser's Help menu for "clear cache". If you're unsure what browser version you're using, from the Help menu or your browser's menu, select About [browser name]. In Mozilla Firefox, if you don't see the menu bar, press Alt.

About Caches, Cookies, and Browsers

For information about your web browser's cache, cookies, and history, see:

Procedure

Clearing Cache in Mobile Browsers

Clearing Cache in Desktop Browsers

 

Clearing Cache in Mobile Browsers

Android

The steps to clear your cache, cookies, and history may differ depending on the model of your Android device and your preferred browser. However, you should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu:

  1. Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
  2. Swipe to the All tab.
  3. In the list of installed apps, find and tap your web browser. Tap Clear Data and then Clear Cache.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Chrome for Android

  1. Touch Chrome menu : > Settings.
  2. Touch (Advanced) Privacy.
  3. Touch Clear browsing data.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari (Apple IOS)

Note:

The following steps apply to the newest version of Mobile Safari for iOS. If you need instructions for older versions, you might find them in Apple Support's Safari web settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Safari.
  3. Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Chrome for IOS

  1. Touch Chrome menu : > Settings.
  2. Touch Privacy and Security.
  3. Touch Clear Browsing Data and choose the data type you want to clear.
  4. Touch Clear.
  5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
  1. Clear cache in a desktop browser.

 

Clearing Cache in Desktop Browsers

Chrome

  1. In the browser bar, enter:

    chrome://settings/clearBrowserData

  2. Select the following:
    • Download history.
    • Cookies and other site and plug-in data.
    • Cached images and files.

    From the "Time Range" drop-down menu, you can choose the period of time for which you want to clear cached information. To clear your entire cache, select the beginning of time.

  3. Click Clear browsing data.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Firefox

  1. From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.

    If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.

  2. From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select Everything.
  3. Next to "Details", click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.
  4. Click Clear Now.
  5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Internet Explorer 9 and higher

  1. Select Tools (via the Gear Icon) > Safety > Delete browsing history....

    If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.

  2. Deselect Preserve Favorites website data, and select:
    • Temporary Internet files or Temporary Internet files and website files.
    • Cookies or Cookies and website data.
    • History.
  3. Click Delete. You will see a confirmation at the bottom of the window when the process is complete.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Press the CTRL key plus the H key to open the browser history (keyboard shortcut).
  2. Locate the trash can icon at the top of the window. Click on the trash can to clear the browser history.

Browser history window in Edge with the trash can icon highlighted.

Opera

  1. From the Opera menu, select Settings, and then Delete Private Data....
  2. In the dialog box that opens, select the items you want to clear, and then click Delete.
  3. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari 8

  1. From the Safari menu, select History > Clear History....
  2. Select the desired time range, and then click Clear History.
  3. Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.

Safari 7 and below

  1. From the Safari menu, select Reset Safari....
  2. Select the items you want to reset, and then click Reset. As of Safari 5.1, Remove all website data includes both cookies and cache.
  3. Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.
Was this helpful?
0 reviews
Print Article

Related Services / Offerings (1)

Learning Management - Blackboard
• eLearn/Bb Help  • Enroll User Request • Site Creation • Restore • Merge Sites • User Creation • 3rd Party Integration • Temp Bb Account Offerings that relate to the management of academic course materials (e.g., videos, documents, spreadsheets) and that facilitate teaching and learning using online portals.