How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Chrome

To clear cache and cookies in Chrome, open the browser, click the three-dot menu in the top-right, go to More tools → Clear browsing data, choose a time range, check “Cookies and other site data� and “Cached images and files,� then click “Clear data.� This removes stored website files and login tokens, which can fix loading errors, free up space, and protect your privacy. Below is a complete walkthrough, plus what each option does and when you should use it.

Why Clear Cache and Cookies?

Every time you visit a website, Chrome saves pieces of it on your device. The cache is a folder of images, scripts, and page styles that lets the browser load pages faster on repeat visits. Cookies are small text files that store your login state, preferences, and tracking data. Over time, these files can become corrupted, outdated, or simply too large, causing problems like:

Pages that won’t load or show old content
Broken layouts or missing images
“500� or “404� errors that appear only for you
Slow browsing because the cache is bloated
Privacy concerns if you share a computer

Clearing both is a standard first step in troubleshooting and a routine privacy maintenance task.

How to Clear Cache and Cookies on Desktop

These steps work for Chrome on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The exact wording may vary slightly by version, but the path is the same.

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Hover over More tools and click Clear browsing data.
In the dialog that opens, choose a Time range from the drop-down (e.g., “Last hour� or “All time�).
Tick the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

You can also press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows/Linux) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac) to open the same dialog instantly.

How to Clear Cache and Cookies on Mobile

Chrome on Android and iOS has a similar process, but the menus are slightly different.

Android

Open Chrome and tap the three dots (top-right).
Tap History and then Clear browsing data.
Choose a time range and check the boxes for cookies and cached files.
Tap Clear data.

iPhone and iPad

Tap the three dots (bottom-right) → History → Clear browsing data.
Select the time range and tick the boxes.
Tap Clear browsing data.

On iOS, the option may be under Privacy in some versions. If you don’t see it, update Chrome.

What Each Option Actually Does

Chrome’s “Clear browsing data� dialog has several checkboxes. Here’s what they mean:

Browsing history: Removes the list of websites you’ve visited. This does not log you out or delete passwords.
Cookies and other site data: Deletes login tokens, preferences, and tracking cookies. You’ll be logged out of most sites.
Cached images and files: Deletes the stored copies of page resources. This is safe and does not affect your login or preferences.
Passwords and other sign-in data: Removes saved passwords. Only check this if you want to erase them.
Autofill form data: Clears saved addresses, names, and payment info.

For a standard fix, only the two middle options are needed. Clearing everything can be overkill and will log you out of every site.

Choosing the Right Time Range

The “Time range� drop-down lets you limit the deletion. Here’s how to decide:

Last hour: Good if you just changed a setting or a site updated and you want to see the change immediately.
Last 24 hours / 7 days: Useful for a quick refresh without losing long-term logins.
All time: Best for a full reset, privacy clean-up, or when you’re selling/giving away the device.

If you’re troubleshooting a specific error, start with “Last hour� or “Last 24 hours.� If the problem persists, go with “All time.�

Common Problems and Fixes

Sometimes clearing cache and cookies doesn’t work as expected. Here are the usual issues:

Still logged in after clearing: You may have multiple profiles or extensions that restore cookies. Check Chrome’s profile switcher and sign out manually.
Pages load slowly after clearing: This is normal—the browser has to re-download everything. It will speed up after a few visits.
“Clear data� button is greyed out: This happens if you haven’t selected any time range or if you’re in Incognito mode (which doesn’t save data).
Clearing doesn’t fix a site error: Try a hard refresh (Ctrl+F5) or disable extensions one by one, as an extension might be the culprit.
Cookies keep coming back: Some sites use “supercookies� (like Flash or HTTP ETags) that are harder to remove. Use Chrome’s “Site settings� to block cookies for that site.

Alternatives to Clearing Everything

If you don’t want to lose all your logins, you have options:

Clear only cached images and files: This fixes most display issues without logging you out.
Use Incognito mode: It starts a fresh session with no cookies or cache, but nothing is saved when you close it.
Site-specific clearing: Click the lock icon next to the URL → “Site settings� → “Clear data.� This removes only that site’s cookies and cache.
Use a cleaning extension: Some extensions can schedule automatic clears, but they can also be a security risk—stick to well-known ones from the Chrome Web Store.

For most users, clearing everything once a month is a good balance between performance and convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache and cookies log me out of websites?

Yes, clearing cookies will log you out of most sites because cookies store your login session. Clearing only the cache will not log you out. If you want to stay logged in, clear only “Cached images and files.�

Does clearing cache delete my passwords?

No, clearing cache and cookies does not delete saved passwords. Passwords are stored separately and are only removed if you check “Passwords and other sign-in data� in the same dialog.

How often should I clear cache and cookies?

There’s no fixed rule. If you notice pages loading slowly or incorrectly, clear them. For privacy, clearing once a month is reasonable. Heavy users or those on shared computers may want to clear more often.

What’s the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores website files (images, scripts) to make pages load faster. Cookies store small pieces of data like login tokens and preferences. Both are stored on your device, but they serve different purposes.

Will clearing cache and cookies speed up Chrome?

It can, especially if the cache has grown very large or is corrupted. However, after clearing, the first few page loads may be slower because Chrome has to re-download everything. Over time, speed usually improves.

Can I clear cache and cookies for a single site?

Yes. Click the lock icon (or “i� icon) next to the website’s address in the URL bar, go to “Site settings,� and then click “Clear data.� This removes only that site’s cookies and cache, leaving others intact.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →