mySDCCD: Clearing Your Cache

Owned by mySDCCD Help
Last updated: May 31, 2021 by Victor DeVore
2 min read

Why Clear Cache and Cookies?

Clearing the Cache and Cookies from a web browser an important first-step for almost any troubleshooting for internet browsing. The 'cache' is a tool used by your internet browser to speed up the page loading process. However, sometimes it can cause a problem when websites are updated and developed as files saved in the cache may conflict with what's actually coded into the website. Clearing Cache and Cookies is a way we can be sure that any issues you may come across are actually something wrong with the website, rather than inconsistencies caused by using different browsers.

Keyboard Shortcut for Most Browsers

If you are using Internet Explorer, Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox you can quickly clear cache with a keyboard shortcut. While in your browser, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete simultaneously on the keyboard to open the appropriate window.

IMPORTANT: Be sure and close/quit the browser and restart it after clearing the cache and cookies.

Google Chrome

  1. Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).

  2. Select History. 

    Google Chrome history menu showing Clear browsing data

  3. Select Clear Browsing Data from the left-hand side. Set the Time Range set to All Time. Click on "Advanced" then check-mark Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, Site Settings, and Hosted app data and select Clear Data.

     

  4. If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Chrome to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Chrome menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click on the Tools bar.

  2. Click on Options (On Mac, it's labeled Preferences).

    Options menu highlighted after choosing Open menu button in Mozilla Firefox

  3. On the menu to the left, select Privacy & Security.

  4. Under the Cookies and Site Data option, click the "Clear Data..." button.

    Cookies and Site data menu in Mozilla Firefox


  5. Select only the two options and hit clear now.

    Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content both selected to be cleared in Mozilla Firefox


  6. If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Firefox to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Firefox menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.

Safari

  1. Click on Safari on the top menu bar.

  2. Click Preferences.

    Preferences menu highlighted in Safari menu along top of macOS


  3. Click the Privacy tab.

  4. Click Manage Website Data...

    Manage Website Data... button highlited in Safari Privacy menu in macOS

  5. Click Remove All.

  6. Click Remove Now.

    Prompt to Remove Now after selecting Remove All in Safari Privacy menu in macOS


  7. Go to the Safari menu on the top menu bar.

  8. Select Quit to close Safari and save your changes.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner), and open the Settings menu.


  2. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left-side menu.

  3. Under the section Clear browsing data, Click Choose what to clear.

    Clear browsing data menu in Microsoft Edge with Choose what to clear button


  4. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.

  5. Click Clear Now.

    Clear browsing dat amenu in Microsoft Edge with All time, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files selected

  6. Close Microsoft Edge completely for your changes to take effect.