It can be so annoying when you can’t see the recent updates to your website. Most of the time, this is due to browser caching. One way to troubleshoot if your primary browser is caching your web pages is to view your website on another browser if you have one installed. The next step would be to clear your browser’s cache.
What is browser caching and how does it work?
Websites are made of different components (html, css, JavaScript, images, etc.) that work together to form a web page. When you visit a website for the first time, your browser connects with the remote server that hosts your website. Your browser sends a request, and the server sends back your website’s components. This process takes up bandwidth, so instead of downloading the static components every time you visit a website, they’re pulled from your browser’s cache. Browser caching increases website performance by loading web pages faster.
Options for clearing your browser’s cache.
Browser cache is great for web browsing, but can be a real pain for those updating their websites. Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do.
Start with a hard refresh, which clears the browser’s cache for the page in your browser’s window. A hard refresh will usually fix the issue, if not, then completely clearing the browser cache and cookies may be necessary.
How to do a hard refresh on various browsers.
CHROME BROWSER
Windows: Hold down Ctrl and press F5
Mac: Hold down Cmd and Shift and then press R
MOZILLA FIREFOX & RELATED BROWSERS
Windows: Hold the Ctrl key and press the F5 or hold down Ctrl and Shift and then press R
Mac: Hold down Cmd and Shift and then press R
INTERNET EXPLORER:
Windows: Hold down Ctrl and press the F5 key
How to clear browser cache and delete cookies.
If you still don’t see your updated content, then try clearing the browser cache and deleting cookies. The link below is from Indiana University and has instructions for clearing your cache on both mobile and desktop browsers.
Still can’t see your changes after clearing browser cache and deleting cookies?
If you are still unable to see the changes on your website, it is likely that you are viewing a page cached on your ISPs servers. Unfortunately, it is not possible to clear the cache on these servers, although you may be able to see the changes to your site by using another connection.