Does it feel like your web browser is running slower than it should? Does it keep freezing up and crashing? Try clearing the cache.
The Cache
Cached data is data that accumulates behind the scenes as you browse the web. Usually the size of the cache isn’t large enough to affect performance. Cookies are an example of cached data that is very small.
It’s Ironic
The cache that is cluttering up your computer actually consists mainly of files from websites that are stored so they can load faster. For example, when you visit a website for the first time, your computer will download all of the pictures and graphical elements. This means that the next pages you go to from that site load faster.
Depending on your computer’s specs, you may accumulate enough cache over time to affect the performance of your browser. When pages freeze or don’t finish loading, or online applications don’t respond, it could be a cache issue.
Clearing Your Browser’s Cache
Clearing the cache is kind of like hitting the reset button for your browser. Here’s how:
For Chrome
On your browser toolbar, select the three-dot icon on the top right. Go to More tools > Clear browsing data.
Select the boxes for Cookies, Other site, Plug in data, and Cached images and files.
Use the dropdown menu at the top opposite Obliterate the following items from: to select the amount of data that you want to delete. Click Clear browsing data.For Firefox
From the Firefox toolbar, click the three-bar icon > History.
Select Clear Recent History. This will bring up a new Clear Recent History window.
Select the dropdown menu to the right of Time range to clear. To clear the cache, select Everything.
Under Details, check the box next to Cache, then click Clear Now. Finally, exit all browser windows and reopen Firefox.
For Edge
In the top right, click the Hub icon (three horizontal lines). Click the History > Clear all history. Select Cached data and files. Click Clear. After you see the “All Clear!” message, exit and reopen Edge.
Now that you have cleared your cache, open a few pages in your web browser. You may notice that some of the sites will take a bit longer to load the first time. This is just because your browser is downloading the information you just deleted. You should see the site load faster next time.
Any other issues that you might have had should be resolved, and the overall performance of your browser should be improved. If not, then the problem lies elsewhere and you’ll have to keep troubleshooting.
Better yet, have the IT technicians at Quikteks do it for you. For help with your computer needs, give us a call at (973) 882-4644. We can help.