Body
What Are Cookies?
A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your device through your web browser. It contains information that helps the site remember details about your visit and improve your experience.
Cookies can track how you interact with a website, such as the pages you visit, when you arrive or leave, and items you add to a shopping cart. They may also store login information to keep you signed in.
In most cases, cookies are used to remember your preferences, personalize content, keep you logged in, and save items like shopping carts.
What Is a Cache?
A cache (short for “cache memory”) stores temporary copies of website data—such as HTML pages, images, and scripts—on your device so pages load faster.
While cookies store information about you and your preferences, the cache stores parts of the websites themselves. Both are saved on your device, but cookies typically expire after a period of time, whereas cached data remains until you clear it.
When you visit a website for the first time, your browser downloads all its content. On future visits, your browser can load the page faster by using the cached data instead of downloading everything again.
Why Should You Clear Cache and Cookies?
Over time, your browser may store outdated or corrupted data. This can cause websites to display old content or not function properly.
Refreshing the page may fix the issue, but if problems persist, clearing your cache and cookies can help. Doing so ensures you’re loading the most up-to-date version of a website and can resolve issues like slow performance or login problems.
Directions for Clearing Cache and Cookies
Follow the instructions below for your browser.
Google Chrome (Windows 11 & macOS)
- Click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Hover over More tools, then select Clear browsing data.
- Use the Time range dropdown to choose how far back you want to clear data.
- Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- (Optional: You can also clear your browsing history.)
- Click Clear data.
Safari (macOS)
- Click the Safari menu in the top-left corner.
- Select Clear History…
- Choose All History from the dropdown menu.
- Click Clear History.
Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.
- Select Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar.
- Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
- Select a Time range.
- Check Cached images and files (and Cookies and other site data if needed).
- Click Clear now.
Tip: After clearing your cache and cookies, you may be signed out of websites and need to log in again.