How to clear cache and cookies

Question

Why should I clear my cache and cookies? Can clearing my cache and cookies fix my issue with my account?

Answer 

When you have an issue with Zendesk, one of the most common troubleshooting suggestions is to clear your cache and cookies. While this may sound like the web equivalent of “try turning it on and off again,” clearing out your cache and cookies is not only a key troubleshooting step but in many cases it will solve the problem altogether.

This article includes the following sections:

• What is your cache?
• Why should I clear my cache?
• How to clear my cache and cookies?
• Using extensions
• Using developer tools

What is my cache?

Browsers use cookies, which are files containing user data, placed in the cache of your computer, a temporary data storage space, to store website information on your computer. This way, web pages, and components can load quickly.

Why should I clear my cache?

If you follow the Zendesk updates page, you can see that Zendesk is always fixing, improving, and adding new features. Because of this constant progress, your cache and cookies can become outdated quickly, which may cause issues and unwanted behavior when your browser tries to use older versions.

How to clear my cache and cookies?

Browsers are constantly updating themselves, so to ensure you’re getting the latest information, use the following links to view the current browser-specific methods for clearing your cache and cookies:

• Google Chrome
• Safari
• Mozilla Firefox
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge
• Opera

Using extensions

Adding an extension can minimize the hassle of clearing your cache and cookies, as it will only update the cookies for the page you have open at the time.

Tip: Download the Clear Session extension from the Chrome Web Store.

The benefits of a browser extension include: 

• Your data and login information from every web location where you are signed in is retained.
• You won’t have to sign in again to every website after clearing the cache.

Streamline this extension and never have to deal with a menu again by setting keyboard shortcuts for actions. To find the extension, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to chrome://extensions/ in Chrome’s address bar.
2. Click the menu icon on the Extensions page.
3. Select Keyboard Shortcuts.
4. Activate the extension by adding your preferred key combination.

Using developer tools

Another way to clear your cache and cookies, without going through the browser menus or using a third-party extension, is to use the built-in developer tools of the browser. This process is usually quicker than the browser-recommended process, though often not as fast as using extensions. View the current browser-specific instructions below:  

• Chrome DevTools
• Firefox Developer Tools
• Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML) Developer Tools 

Note: If clearing your cache and cookies does not resolve your issue, see this article: How to solve general Zendesk performance issues.