How to clear your browser cache and cookies
Environment

Windows

macOS

Android

iOS, iPadOS

Solution

 NOTE: TL;DR 

  1. Before following these instructions, check that the issue you're experiencing is not caused by errors in the URL
  2. If the URL is correct, clear your cache and cookies
    1. Choose the option to clear or remove all data. If you're unsure, try 7-days first then test the site
  3. Restart your browser to test the site 
  4. If you are still encountering the error, let us know so we can help

 

 

Wait!

Suppose you need to clear your cache, cookies, and history for troubleshooting purposes but aren't yet prepared to lose the content listed above. In that case, you may wish to consider using a private browsing window in your preferred browser as a temporary solution. For instructions, see:

Mobile browsers

Android

The steps to clear your cache, cookies, and history may differ depending on the model of your Android device and your preferred browser. However, you should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu:

  1. Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
  2. Swipe to the All tab.
  3. In the list of installed apps, find and tap your web browser. Tap Clear Data and then Clear Cache.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Chrome for Android
  1. Tap Chrome menu > Settings.
  2. Tap (Advanced) Privacy.
  3. From the "Time Range" drop-down menu, select All Time.
  4. Check Cookies and Site Data and Cached Images and Files.
  5. Tap Clear data.
  6. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Safari for iOS
  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Safari.
  3. Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Chrome for iOS
  1. Tap Chrome menu > Settings.
  2. Tap Privacy.
  3. Tap Clear Browsing Data.
  4. Choose the data type you want to clear.
  5. Tap Clear Browsing Data.
  6. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Desktop browsers

Chrome
  1. In the browser bar, enter chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
  2. From the Time range drop-down menu, you can choose the period for which you want to clear cached information. For example, to remove your entire cache, select All time
  3. Select the following:
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files
  4. Click Delete data

  5. Close all browser windows and then re-open the browser

 

Firefox
  1. In the browser bar, enter about:preferences#privacy
  2. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data...
  3. From the When: drop-down menu, select the desired range; select Everything to clear your entire cache
  4. Select the following:
    • Cookies and site data
    • Temporary cached files and pages
  5. Click Clear

  6. Close all browser windows and then re-open the browser

 

Microsoft Edge
  1. In the browser bar, enter edge://settings/content/cookies/siteData
  2. Select the down arrow to the right of the site whose cookies you want to delete and select Delete
    1. Or click Remove all to clear all data
Safari
  1. Go to the Safari app on your Mac
  2. Choose Safari > Settings, then click Privacy
  3. Click Manage Website Data
  4. Select one or more websites, then click Remove
    1. Or click Remove All to clear all data
Internet Explorer
Note:
On June 15, 2022, Microsoft ended support for Internet Explorer. Therefore, VCU strongly recommends that you upgrade to a new operating system if your current system does not support Microsoft Edge or another browser.
  • Select Tools > Safety > Delete browsing history....

    If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.

  • Deselect Preserve Favorites website data, and select:
    • Temporary Internet files or Temporary Internet files and website files
    • Cookies or Cookies and website data
    • History
  • Click Delete. You will see a confirmation at the bottom of the window when the process is complete.
  • Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Additional Information