How to Clear Browser History and Cookies in Chrome and Edge

Clear Browser History and Cookies

 

Overview

Clearing browsing history, cookies, and cached files fixes many website problems: pages that won't load, login loops, outdated content, and sign-in errors. It takes under a minute in either browser.

Before you start:

  • Clearing cookies signs you out of most websites. Make sure you know your passwords.
  • Saved passwords and autofill data are not removed unless you check those boxes. Leave them unchecked.
  • Save any unsent work in other tabs first.
  • Fastest way into the dialog in either browser on Windows: press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Mac: Command + Shift + Delete).

Google Chrome (Windows and Mac)

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) at the top right, then Delete browsing data.
    • Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Mac: Command + Shift + Delete), or type chrome://settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar.
  3. Set Time range to All time.
  4. Check these boxes:
    • Browsing history
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files
  5. Leave Passwords and other sign-in data and Autofill form data unchecked (under More, if shown).
  6. Click Delete data.
  7. Close all Chrome windows and reopen Chrome.

Note: If you are signed in to Chrome with sync on, history deleted here is also deleted on your other synced devices. Deleting cookies does not sign you out of your Google account in Chrome itself.

Microsoft Edge (Windows and Mac)

  1. Open Edge.
  2. Click the three-dot menu (…) at the top right, then Settings.
  3. Select Privacy, search, and services.
  4. Under Delete browsing data, click Choose what to clear next to Clear browsing data now.
    • Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Mac: Command + Shift + Delete), or type edge://settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar.
  5. Set Time range to All time.
  6. Check these boxes:
    • Browsing history
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files
  7. Leave Passwords and Autofill form data unchecked.
  8. Click Clear now.
  9. Close all Edge windows and reopen Edge.

Note: If you are signed in to Edge with sync on, this clears the data on all synced devices. On a Mac you can also open the dialog from the Microsoft Edge menu in the menu bar.

Clearing cookies for one site only

Use this when only one website misbehaves and you don't want to be signed out of everything else.

Chrome

  1. Go to the website with the problem.
  2. Click the site information icon to the left of the web address.
  3. Select Cookies and site data, then Manage on-device site data.
  4. Click the trash can next to each entry, then Done.
  5. Reload the page.

Edge

  1. Go to the website with the problem.
  2. Click the lock icon to the left of the web address.
  3. Select Cookies (or Cookies and site data).
  4. Select each entry and click Remove, then Done.
  5. Reload the page.

Notes and troubleshooting

  • Option is grayed out or missing: College-managed computers may have browser policies that restrict clearing data. Contact the IT Help Desk.
  • Problem still happens: Try the site in an InPrivate (Edge) or Incognito (Chrome) window. If it works there, an extension may be the cause; disable extensions one at a time.
  • Using both browsers: Each browser stores its own data. Clear the one you use for the problem site.
  • Still stuck: Submit a ticket to the IT Help Desk with the website address, the browser you used, and a screenshot of the error.

References

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