How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Chrome: Step-by-Step Guide

If a website loads slowly, shows old content, or keeps throwing errors, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies often fixes it. It takes less than a minute in Google Chrome. Here is how to do it on both computer and phone.

What Are Cache and Cookies?

• Cache is a stored copy of website files, such as images and scripts, that helps pages load faster on your next visit. Sometimes the saved copy becomes outdated and causes display problems.
• Cookies are small files that websites save on your device to remember your login, preferences, and shopping cart items.

Clearing them removes this stored data, so websites load fresh. The downside is that you will be signed out of most sites.

Clear Cache and Cookies in Chrome on Computer

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (or Cmd + Shift + Delete on Mac). You can also click the three dots in the top-right corner, go to Delete browsing data.
3. Choose a time range, such as Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 4 weeks, or All time.
4. Tick Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
5. Click Delete data.

For more detail on these options, Google explains the full process on its Clear cache & cookies help page.

Clear Cache and Cookies in Chrome on Android

1. Open the Chrome app and tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
2. Tap Delete browsing data.
3. Select a time range.
4. Check Cookies and site data and Cached images and files.
5. Tap Delete data.

Clear Cache and Cookies in Chrome on iPhone

1. Open Chrome and tap the three dots at the bottom-right.
2. Tap Delete Browsing Data (or go to Settings > Privacy and Security).
3. Select the time range and check Cookies, Site Data and Cached Images and Files.
4. Tap Delete Browsing Data to confirm.

Clear Cookies for One Website Only

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If only one site is causing trouble, you don’t need to wipe everything:

1. Click the icon on the left side of the address bar (a lock or settings icon).
2. Select Cookies and site data and then Manage on-device site data.
3. Delete the data for that site only.

Google also has a guide on how to clear, enable, and manage cookies in Chrome if you want finer control.

When Should You Clear Cache and Cookies?

• A website looks broken or shows outdated content
• Pages load slowly or fail to load
• You get login or “too many redirects” errors
• You want to protect your privacy on a shared computer
• You want to free up a bit of storage space

Things to Keep in Mind

• You will be logged out of websites, so keep your passwords handy.
• Websites may load a little slower the first time after clearing, since the cache has to rebuild.
• Avoid ticking Passwords or Autofill form data unless you want those removed too.

Final Thoughts

Clearing your cache and cookies is one of the easiest ways to fix common browser problems. Try the Ctrl + Shift + Delete shortcut, choose your time range, and you’re done. Doing it every few weeks keeps Chrome running smoothly.