TAFE Queensland Library Network FAQs: Ask-a-Librarian

What is a cache and how do I clear it?

A cache is your web browsing history. It is the list, stored in your web browser, of every webpage and site you have visited.

This stored memory can:

• Cause websites to load slowly or incorrectly, resulting in an error message.
• Cause issues when accessing eResources such as ebooks and journal articles.

Clearing the cache may resolve these issues.

The Clear Cache or Clear Browsing History option is usually located under the history option in the browser settings, but appearance may vary between browsers.

Below are instructions for clearing your cache in Edge and Chrome.
 

Instructions to clear cache in Edge

1. Click on the three small dots located on the top right-hand side of website and a list of options will appear. From the list select History.
2. Your recent browser history will be listed. From this list select the 'bin' icon at the top of the menu.

 Alternatively: 

For Windows PCs press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on the keyboard at the same
For Apple Macs press Shift + Cmd + Del on the keyboard at the same time

1. A full list of your browser history will show. Click on the ‘Clear browsing data’ option located above the list.  
2. A pop-up box will appear. In the time range dropdown menu select ‘All time’ then click ‘clear now’.  This will clear all the saved or ‘cached’ website addresses. It won’t delete any saved passwords or bookmarked pages you have saved.
3. Once the cache has been cleared the pop-up box will disappear and a setting page will remain. You can close this page. 
    

Instructions to clear cache in Chrome

1. Click on the three small dots located on the top right-hand side of website and a list of options will appear.
2. From the list select history.  Select history again. Then click on delete browsing data.

Alternatively: 

For Windows PCs press CTRL + Shift + Delete on the keyboard at the same
For Apple Macs press shift + Cmd + del on the keyboard at the same time

1. Your recently closed websites will be listed. At the top of the list select history.
2. A full list of your browsing history will appear.  From the menu on the left-hand side select ‘Clear browsing data’.
3. A pop-up box will appear. In the time range drop down menu select ‘all time’ then click ‘clear data’. This will clear all the saved or ‘cached’ website addresses. It won’t delete any saved passwords or bookmarked pages you have saved.
4. Once the cache has been cleared the pop-up box will disappear, and a setting page will remain. You can close this page.