Website Troubleshooting

Fayetteville Technical Community College in gold lettering
Canvas Portal Login
Self-Service
Student Email

How to Clear Your Browser Cache

Clearing your browser cache can help fix websites that are not loading correctly, showing old information, or acting strangely. Your cache stores temporary files like images, scripts, and page data so websites load faster, but sometimes those saved files need to be refreshed.

Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Click the ☰ menu button in the top-right corner of the browser window.
  3. Select Settings from the menu.
  4. In the left-side menu, click Privacy & Security.
  5. Scroll down until you see the section called Cookies and Site Data.
  6. Click the Clear Data button.
  7. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked.
  8. You may uncheck Cookies and Site Data if you do not want to be signed out of websites.
  9. Click Clear to remove the cached files.
  10. Close and reopen Firefox, then try loading the website again.

Tip: Clearing only cached web content usually keeps your saved logins and site preferences.

Google Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the ⋮ menu button in the top-right corner.
  3. Select Delete browsing data.
  4. A new window or settings page will open.
  5. Choose a Time range. For the most complete reset, choose All time.
  6. Check the box for Cached images and files.
  7. Leave Cookies and other site data unchecked if you do not want to be signed out of websites.
  8. Click Delete data.
  9. Refresh the website or close and reopen Chrome.

Tip: If a website still looks wrong, try opening it in an incognito window to compare.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click the ⋯ menu button in the top-right corner.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. In the left-side menu, click Privacy, search, and services.
  5. Scroll to the section called Clear browsing data.
  6. Click Choose what to clear.
  7. Select a Time range. Choose All time for the most complete cleanup.
  8. Check Cached images and files.
  9. Leave Cookies and other site data unchecked if you want to stay signed in to websites.
  10. Click Clear now.
  11. Restart Edge and try visiting the website again.

Tip: Microsoft Edge and Chrome have similar cache-clearing options because both are Chromium-based browsers.

Safari on Mac

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Click Safari in the top menu bar.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Click the Advanced tab.
  5. Check the box for Show features for web developers or Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  6. Close the settings window.
  7. In the top menu bar, click Develop.
  8. Select Empty Caches.
  9. Refresh the website or restart Safari.

Tip: Using Empty Caches clears cached website files without clearing your full browsing history.