Learning how to clear cache in Edge is the fastest way to fix loading errors and boost browser speed.
If you are experiencing outdated pages or formatting glitches, your browser’s temporary storage is likely the culprit. Let’s wipe that digital slate clean immediately.
- Method 1: How to Clear Cache in Edge on Desktop (Windows & Mac)
- Method 2: How to Clear Cache in Edge on Mobile (Android & iOS)
- Method 3: How to Automatically Clear Cache on Exit
- Expert Trick: How to Clear Data for One Specific Site
- Troubleshooting: Still Having Issues? Reset Edge
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Summary
Method 1: How to Clear Cache in Edge on Desktop (Windows & Mac)
You can clear cache easily by:
- Click 3-dots on top-right.
- Click History and then click “Trash” icon.
- Choose time range and tick on Cached images and files. Then click Clear now.
Method 2: How to Clear Cache in Edge on Mobile (Android & iOS)
Mobile browsing accumulates data just as quickly as desktop browsing. If the Edge app on your phone feels sluggish, follow these steps.
- Open the Menu: Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) located at the bottom center of the screen.
- Go to Settings: Tap the Settings gear icon.
- Find Privacy: Select Privacy and security.
- Select Data: Tap on Clear browsing data.
- Confirm: Ensure Cached images and files is checked, then tap Clear now (or Clear data on Android).
Note: Knowing exactly how to clear cache in edge on mobile is essential for developers testing responsive websites on their phones.
Method 3: How to Automatically Clear Cache on Exit
If you prefer a “set it and forget it” approach, you can configure Edge to wipe your temporary files every time you close the browser. This is excellent for maintaining privacy on shared computers.
- Go back to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
- Under the “Clear browsing data” section, click on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
- Toggle the switch next to Cached images and files to the On position.
Now, you never have to worry about manual maintenance again.
Expert Trick: How to Clear Data for One Specific Site
Most guides tell you to wipe everything, which logs you out of all your accounts. If you are only having trouble with one website (e.g., Facebook or YouTube), you can surgically remove data for just that site without affecting the others.
- Copy and paste edge://settings/siteData into your address bar.
- Use the Search cookies box in the top right to type the name of the website (e.g., “google”).
- Click the Trash can icon next to the specific website.
- Reload the website to see if the issue is resolved.
Troubleshooting: Still Having Issues? Reset Edge
If you have successfully cleared your cache but your browser is still slow or buggy, the issue might be a corrupted extension or a deeper setting conflict. The final step is to reset the browser to its default state.
- Go to Settings.
- In the left sidebar, click Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Click Reset.
Warning: This will disable all extensions and clear temporary data, but your favorites, history, and saved passwords will be preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Microsoft Edge saves pieces of websites—like images and HTML files—to help them load faster the next time you visit. This is called “Cached images and files.”
However, over time, this data can become corrupted or outdated. This leads to formatting issues, slow performance, or the dreaded “old version” of a website loading. By clearing this data, you force the browser to fetch fresh, up-to-date content.
No, it does not. When you are in the “Choose what to clear” menu, simply ensure that the box for Passwords is unchecked. Clearing the cache only removes temporary files, not your login credentials.
There is no set rule, but a good practice is to do it once a month or whenever you encounter specific browser errors like “Error 404” or “502 Bad Gateway” on sites that usually work.
Cache consists of images and files saved to speed up loading. Cookies are small files that store user data, such as your login status and site preferences. If you are learning how to clear cache in edge to fix a display issue, you usually do not need to clear cookies.
It primarily speeds up the browser if the cache was cluttered or corrupted. However, it frees up disk space on your hard drive, which can contribute to overall system health.
If you are signed into Edge with your Microsoft account, your History and Passwords sync across devices. However, Cache and Cookies are stored locally. This means clearing the cache on your desktop will not speed up or affect your Edge app on mobile. You must clear the cache on each device individually.
Summary
Mastering these steps ensures a faster, safer, and less buggy browsing experience on any device. Now that you know how to clear cache in Edge, we highly recommend trying the automatic clear-on-exit feature to save time in the future.
If this guide helped you resolve your browser glitches, please share it with your team or drop a comment below!
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