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.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
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 Sometimes the cache holds onto an old version of a page, making your site look broken or outdated — even when it's actually fine.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 | What to do |
|---|---|
| Windows — Chrome, Edge, Firefox | Ctrl + Shift + R |
| Mac — Chrome, Firefox | Cmd + Shift + R |
| Mac — Safari | Cmd + R reloads the page. For a deeper reset, clear Safari's website data (below). |
| iPhone / iPad — Safari | Reload the page. If it still looks wrong, clear Safari's website data (below). |
| Android — Chrome | Reload the page. If it still looks wrong, delete cached files (below). |
Full instructions by device
Hard refresh (quick fix)
In Chrome or Firefox: Press Cmd + Shift + R.
In Safari: Press Cmd + R to reload. Safari has no documented hard-refresh shortcut, so if the page still looks wrong, clear its website data using the steps below.
Clear your browser cache fully
Chrome on Mac:
Open Chrome and press Cmd + Shift + Delete to open the Delete browsing data window.
Choose a time range, such as "All time."
Check "Cached images and files." You can also check "Cookies and other site data" for a deeper clear, but that signs you out of most websites.
Click Delete data.
Safari on Mac:
Open Safari and choose Safari > Settings, then click Privacy.
Click Manage Website Data.
Select your site (or click Remove All). Apple warns this may sign you out of websites or change how they behave.
Firefox on Mac:
Open Firefox and press Cmd + Shift + Delete to open Firefox's clear-data window.
Set the time range to cover everything.
Tick the option for cached files, then confirm. The exact wording of the options changes between Firefox versions, so pick the one that mentions the cache.
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.
The site cache can sit in more than one place: a caching plugin inside WordPress, a caching layer at your hosting company, and a CDN in front of both. Clearing one doesn't clear the others. See My changes aren't showing up for a step-by-step guide that works through each layer in turn.
Common questions
What's the difference between a regular refresh and a hard refresh?
A regular refresh (pressing F5 or clicking reload) asks the server whether the copy your browser already has is still current, and reuses that copy if nothing has changed. A hard refresh — a "force reload" — bypasses the stored copy altogether and downloads everything fresh.
Will clearing my cache delete my saved passwords?
On a computer, no. Chrome's Delete browsing data window doesn't include saved passwords; those are managed separately in Google Password Manager. On Android, saved passwords are one of the things Chrome can delete, so leave that option unticked. Clearing only "Cached images and files" never touches your passwords.
I cleared the cache and the problem is still there.
The problem isn't your browser — it's the site itself. The site's own cache, or a deeper configuration issue, needs attention. Contact us with a description of what you're seeing.
Related guides
- My changes aren't showing up
- My site looks broken
- Info to gather before contacting support
- Caching explained
- Cache plugins explained
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