What is cache?

The best way to understand cache is to look at it as a type of storage. When you access different websites, a lot of data must be processed to access the webpage. The system needs to download all the page contents for the website that you are on. If you were to leave a page and then return to it, you would need to re-download all the content, right?

This is where the cache comes in. It saves the big stuff like logos, pictures, and other elements that take up the most time to process. By saving all these things in the cache, you can go back to a website quickly, almost like you never left it. This is because the system does not have to re-download all the page’s contents, it already has parts of it. Thanks to the cache, the system has fewer things to download, allowing the webpage to load and work more quickly.

Why does cache affect the webpage loading?

The cache stores information from a website so that when you return to a page you visited, the system does not need to reload everything. This makes the website load quicker when you come back to it. The reason that the cache can prevent the webpage from loading is because of the information that is stored. If a change or update has been made to a website that has updated something stored on the cache, there is a resulting error. The cache is trying to provide information to the system to help it load faster, but it is now outdated. Due to this, the system is trying to load the new page while receiving different information from the cache, sometimes causing a crash, which can be prevented by clearing your cache. When the cache is cleared, there is no longer miscommunication, because there is no longer any old data, so the webpage can load normally.

How do you clear your cache?

Clearing the cache varies depending on your web browser.

Google Chrome:

Within the Google Chrome browser, where you would search, there are three dots on the upper right-hand side under the close window icon.

 Select the three buttons, and a pop-up menu will be displayed. In the pop-up menu, find and select settings.

 A search bar within Settings will help you quickly find what you need. Type “cache” in the search bar.

 After you search, an option labeled “Clear browsing data” will appear. Select this option.

 Another pop-up page will appear. At the top is a filter that will let you choose how far back to delete information. Make sure there is a blue check next to “cached images and files.” Then, select clear data. 

Microsoft Edge:

With your Edge browser open, you will see three dots in the upper right-hand corner. The buttons are right below the browser closer. Click on the three buttons.

 A list will show up after you select the three buttons. Scroll down and select Settings. 

Within the settings menu is a search bar, which will be the easiest way to find your cache. Select The search bar and type cache. 

Select the result “Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.” This will take you to another page.

Select “cached images and files.” Once selected, the cache will be automatically cleared for each website you go to after you close out of that page.

Other browsers:

If using a browser other than Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, you can find steps to clear their cache by searching the internet. There are many resources online that help walk you through the steps.