How to clear your cache & hard refresh
Step-by-step instructions for clearing your browser cache and doing a hard refresh on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android.
Your browser stores copies of websites to load them faster next time you visit. This stored copy is called the "cache." Sometimes the cache holds onto an old version of a page, making your site look broken or outdated — even when it's actually fine. Clearing it fixes this instantly.
Quick summary
A "hard refresh" forces your browser to ignore its saved copy and reload the page fresh from the internet. It's the first thing to try for almost any display problem. On most computers: press Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac).
Quick reference
| Device / browser | Hard refresh shortcut |
|---|---|
| Windows — Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Ctrl + Shift + R |
| Mac — Chrome, Firefox | Cmd + Shift + R |
| Mac — Safari | Cmd + Option + R |
| iPhone / iPad | Hold the reload button in Safari |
| Android — Chrome | Tap menu (three dots) → Reload |
Full instructions by device
Hard refresh (quick fix)
In Chrome or Firefox: Press Cmd + Shift + R.
In Safari: Press Cmd + Option + R.
Clear your browser cache fully
Chrome on Mac:
Open Chrome and press Cmd + Shift + Delete to open the Clear Browsing Data window.
Set the Time range to "All time."
Check "Cached images and files." You can also check "Cookies and other site data" for a deeper clear, but this will sign you out of websites.
Click Clear data.
Safari on Mac:
Open Safari. In the menu bar, click Develop, then Empty Caches.
If the Develop menu isn't visible: Go to Safari > Settings > Advanced and check "Show Develop menu in menu bar."
Firefox on Mac:
Open Firefox and press Cmd + Shift + Delete.
Set Time Range to "Everything."
Check "Cache" and click Clear Now.
Hard refresh (quick fix)
In Chrome, Firefox, or Edge: Press Ctrl + Shift + R.
Alternative: Hold Ctrl and click the browser's Reload button.
Clear your browser cache fully
Chrome on Windows:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the Clear Browsing Data window.
Set Time range to "All time."
Check "Cached images and files" and click Clear data.
Microsoft Edge on Windows:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
Set Time range to "All time."
Check "Cached images and files" and click Clear now.
Firefox on Windows:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
Set Time Range to "Everything."
Check "Cache" and click Clear Now.
Hard refresh in Safari
Open Safari on your iPhone.
Load your site.
Hold down the Reload button (the circular arrow icon in the address bar) until a menu appears.
Tap "Reload Without Content Blockers" or just "Reload" from the menu.
Clear Safari cache on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap Safari.
Scroll down and tap "Clear History and Website Data."
Tap "Clear History and Data" to confirm.
This clears your browsing history and signs you out of websites
Clearing Safari's cache on iPhone will sign you out of websites and remove your browsing history. You'll need to log back in to any sites you use regularly.
Hard refresh in Chrome on iPhone
Open Chrome and load your site.
Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom-right corner.
Tap Reload. For a deeper clear, go to Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data.
Hard refresh in Chrome
Open Chrome on your Android device.
Load your site.
Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Tap Reload. (There is no separate "hard refresh" button on Android Chrome — a full cache clear is needed for a deeper reset.)
Clear Chrome cache on Android
Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu in the top right.
Tap Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data.
Set Time range to "All time."
Check "Cached images and files" and tap Clear data.
When a hard refresh isn't enough
If a hard refresh doesn't fix the display problem, the site cache itself may need clearing. The site cache is stored on the server, not in your browser.
To clear the site cache, you (or we) need to log in to the WordPress dashboard and clear it there. See My changes aren't showing up for a step-by-step guide to clearing the site cache.
Common questions
Related guides
Need a hand?