Web browsers store copies of website data on your computer to speed up browsing. This data is called a cache. When you load a website, you often see a local copy of elements from the site, such as images, pulled from your cache.
Sometimes, your browser ends up with an outdated copy of the website data in your cache, causing the website to look incorrect. To fix this, you need to perform a “hard refresh,” which forces the browser to discard the old cache and download the latest version of the website.
Important: Clicking the “Refresh” arrow in your browser’s address bar is not a hard refresh.
How to Perform a Hard Refresh
Performing a hard refresh varies depending on your browser and operating system. Here are the shortcuts:
Windows/Linux
Edge:
– Hold the Ctrl key and click the Refresh button.
– Or, hold down Ctrl and press the F5 key.
Chrome:
– Hold the Ctrl key and click the Reload button.
– Or, hold down Ctrl and press the F5 key.
Firefox:
– Hold down Ctrl and press the F5 key.
– Or, hold down Ctrl and Shift, then press R.
Mac OS
Safari:
– Hold down Option and Command, then press E to empty the cache.
– Hold down Shift and click the Reload button in the toolbar.
Chrome:
– Hold down Shift and click the Reload button.
– Or, hold down Command and Shift, then press R.
Firefox:
– Hold down Shift and click the Reload button.
– Or, hold down Command and Shift, then press R.
Mobile Browsers
iOS:
– There is no shortcut to force a hard refresh. You need to go into settings to clear your browser’s cache.
Android:
– There is no shortcut to force a hard refresh. You need to go into settings to clear your browser’s cache.
After performing a hard refresh, the website should reload and display the latest content.
How to Clear Your Browser’s Cache
If a hard refresh doesn’t solve your problem, try clearing your browser’s cache. Clearing your cache can improve how your browser works and allow websites to display updated content.
Windows/Linux
Chrome:
1. Click the menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner.
2. Select History, then History again.
3. Click Clear browsing data.
4. Check Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
5. Choose All time from the Time Range drop-down.
6. Click Clear Data.
7. Close and restart Chrome.
Firefox:
1. Click the menu icon (three lines) in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click Privacy & Security.
4. Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data and click Clear Data.
5. Close and restart Firefox.
Edge:
1. Click the menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner.
2. Select History.
3. Click Clear browsing data.
4. Select all boxes.
5. Choose All time from the Time Range drop-down.
6. Click Clear now.
7. Close and restart Edge.
Mac OS
Chrome:
1. Click the menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner.
2. Select History, then History again.
3. Click Clear browsing data.
4. Check Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
5. Choose All time from the Time Range drop-down.
6. Click Clear Data.
7. Close and restart Chrome.
Firefox:
1. Click the menu icon (three lines) in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click Privacy & Security.
4. Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data and click Clear Data.
5. Close and restart Firefox.
Safari:
1. Click Safari in the top bar.
2. Select Preferences.
3. In the Privacy tab, click Manage Website Data.
4. Click Remove All.
5. Click Done.
6. Close and restart Safari.
Mobile Browsers
Safari for iOS:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Safari.
3. Swipe to the bottom and tap Advanced.
4. Tap Website Data.
5. Swipe to the bottom and tap Remove All Website Data.
Chrome for iOS:
1. Open the Chrome app and tap the Menu icon (three dots).
2. Tap Clear browsing data.
3. Check Browsing history, Cookies and site data, and Cached images and files.
4. Choose All time from the Time Range list.
5. Tap Clear Browsing Data.
Chrome for Android:
1. Open the Chrome app and tap the Menu icon (three dots).
2. Tap Clear browsing data.
3. Check Browsing history, Cookies and site data, and Cached images and files.
4. Choose All time from the Time Range list.
5. Tap Clear Data.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your browser displays the latest content and functions correctly.
