Introduction
If your Chrome browser is running slow, or any website is not showing updates, then it is important to clear the cache. In this guide you will learn “how to clear cache in Chrome” step by step, and also get solutions to common problems.
1. What is Cache?
Cache is a temporary storage where Chrome saves elements of websites (images, CSS, JavaScript). This makes the browser fast, but if the cache becomes too much, the browser can become slow.
Benefit: Websites load
quickly.
Disadvantage: Old content can be displayed, and storage gets used up.
2. Clearing cache on Desktop
Step 1: Open Settings
Open Chrome, then click the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner to access Settings.
Step 2: Privacy & security section
Choose Privacy and security under the left sidebar.
Step 3: Clear browsing data
Click on “Clear browsing data” → a popup will open.
Step 4: Select Time range
Choose “Last Hour”, On 24 Hours”, or “All Time” through the dropdown menu.
Step 5: Tick Cached images and files
Make sure only Cached images and files checkbox is ticked and rest of the unwanted things are
unchecked.
Step 6: Click on Clear data
Click on “Clear data”. It can take few seconds.
Screenshot suggestion
You can add an image or diagram in Settings → Privacy → Clear data, etc.
(Optimize Images file size in WebP.)
3. Clearing cache in Mobile (Android/iOS)
Android:
Settings → Apps & notifications → Chrome → Storage & cache → Clear cache.
iOS (not jailbroken):
Open Chrome app and go to bottom right menu → History → Clear browsing data → select “Cached images and files” → Clear browsing data.
4. Troubleshooting tips ♻
If “Clear data” doesn’t work, restart Chrome.
To upgrade your browser, go
to Settings → About Chrome and then scan for updates.
Extensions might be
interfering. Apply Incognito mode (extensions deactivated).
Want to clear cache of a specific website? Navigate to the site, then click the lock icon, then Site Settings, and finally “Clear data”.
Conclusion
In this article, you learned: “how to clear cache in Chrome” by following it step‑by‑step, on both desktop
and mobile, plus troubleshooting and FAQs.
You can view more useful content by visiting the home page of our website.
Pros ✅
Performance & Security Benefits
Clearing the cache improves browser speed and removes outdated/corrupt files, which enhances performance – From a security perspective, sensitive data can be stored in the cache; clearing it reduces privacy risks
Cons ❌
Temporary trade-offs
Clearing the cache slows down the initial load of webpages for a while, images download again
User Inconvenience
Login sessions expire, passwords may have to be re-entered—browsing experience may be temporarily
impaired.
FAQs – “How to Clear Cache in Chrome”
Q1: What is cache, and the reasons why need it be cleared?
Cache are temporary files (like images, CSS, JavaScript) that are saved locally to make websites load faster. This improves browser speed, but old or corrupt cache can cause glitches or outdated content in websites.
Q2: What happens when you clear the cache?
The browser downloads pages again on the initial visit, which can make it slow the first time.
Some websites sign-out and session data is removed.
But everything loads fresh and gets the latest version of content.
Q3: What’s the main difference among cache and cookies?
Cache: Temporary site files (images, scripts).
Cookies: Login info, site settings and tracking data
Clearing is important but there are different categories.
Q4: Does clearing cache delete passwords?
Not often. If only “Cached images and files” is cleared then passwords remain safe
But if you select “Passwords and other sign-in data” then saved passwords can also be removed
Q5: What is the default shortcut key for clearing cache?
Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + Delete
Mac: Cmd + Shift + Delete
Q6: How can I clear the cache of only one website?
Type chrome://settings/content/all in the address bar, search for a specific site, then click Clear data
Or use “Application” tab → “Storage” → Clear site data in developer tools
Q7: Is clearing cache different on mobile (Android/iOS)?
Android:
Chrome app → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data → select “Cached images and files”
iOS:
Chrome app → ⋯ → History → Clear browsing data → select “Cached images and files” and clear it
Q8: How many times should I clear cache?
Once every 4-6 weeks is recommended. If browsing is slow or glitches are coming, clear it fresh.
Q9: Does incognito mode save cache?
No. After browsing in incognito mode, the cache and cookies are instantly removed. But your ISP or installed extensions can see it.
Q10: How to clear cache automatically when Chrome closes?
Chrome Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Additional content settings
“On‑device site data” → enable “Delete data when browser closes”