Why Should I Clear My Browser Cache and How to Do it? Comments Off on Why Should I Clear My Browser Cache and How to Do it?

Most websites update their information, even layout, over time.  However, many popular web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox  and Microsoft Internet Explorer save some information from websites in its “cache” or temporary memory and cookies. Why?

Browser Caching provides Two Main Benefits:

1. It helps the page to load faster.
2. It reduces bandwidth usage by reducing the amount of information that needs to be downloaded.

Thus, when you revisit a website, your browser checks which website content was updated in the meantime and only downloads updated files or what is not already stored in the cache.

However, browser caching could result in any one of the following issues:

1. You don’t see the latest updates to a website because your browser may not download updated information since last caching it.
2. You see a partially loaded website which doesn’t quite look right, or otherwise appears to be poorly formatted which could result from a corrupted cache.
3. Over time, your browser cache may grow quite large size, and using up your hard drive space.

Clearing your browser’s cache can resolve these issues.

How to Clear your Browser Cache

1. One method to clear caching that works in most browsers is to simultaneously hold down your “Shift” key and clicking your browser’s refresh arrow (page reload button).
2. You can also try clear cache by holding down simultaneously the following keyboard keys: [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Del]

What if you run a WordPress website and don’t see changes to your website reflected in your browser?

Sometimes, especially if you upload files to the server, you may not see changes made to your WordPress website.  In such instances, you may want to consider installing a plugin called ” reBusted!” By Simon Prosser. Once your changes have been made, you can always deactivate it, so that caching may resume.

What if my website is hosted at Godaddy and my FTP changes are not being updated.

On rare occasions, you could have a Firewall caching issue IF YOU HAVE SIGNED UP for Godaddy’s Website Security Deluxe service. If this is the case, go to My Products –> Website Security and Backups –> Website Security Deluxe –> Manage (This should take you to: https://wafx.sucuri.net/).

Now, at the top left,  look for a link that reads “Firewall”.  Click on the Firewall link and then look below it and within a white box you’ll see four green links, the third link down that list should read “Clear Cache”. Click on “Clear Cache”. You should see confirmation that the cache was cleared in the upper right of  the web page. Now, return to your browser then refresh. You should be able to see your website updates.

If you would like to find out more about browser caching, contact our Scottsdale web design team.