How to Clear Cache and Browsing Data on a Chromebook

Why clear the cache and browsing data

Your Chromebook stores temporary files, images, and scripts from websites in a cache so that pages load faster on repeat visits. Cookies and site data save login states, preferences, and tracking identifiers. Over time, this stored data can accumulate, consume a significant amount of local storage, and cause sites to appear outdated or behave unexpectedly.

Clearing the cache and browsing data is a simple maintenance step that can free up space and fix issues like a page that will not update, a stalled download, or a site that keeps signing you out. It is also a useful privacy measure if you share your Chromebook with others, since it removes traces of your browsing activity. If you are concerned about storage, consider reading about how Chromebook storage works to understand what takes up space.

The types of data you can clear include:

• Cached images and files: temporary copies of page resources to speed up loading.
• Cookies and other site data: login tokens, preferences, and tracking identifiers.
• Browsing history: the list of URLs you visited.
• Passwords and other sign-in data: saved logins (only if you choose to clear them).
• Autofill form data: entered text in forms like addresses and payment details.

How to clear cache in Chrome settings

On a Chromebook, the cache and browsing data are managed by the Chrome browser. To open the clearing tool, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the browser, then select **More tools**, and then **Clear browsing data**. You can also press the shortcut **Ctrl+Shift+Delete** (or **Ctrl+Shift+Backspace**) to open the same dialog directly.

In the dialog, choose a time range from the drop-down menu at the top. The options range from the last hour to all time. For a full cleanup, select **All time**. Below that, check the boxes for **Cached images and files** and **Cookies and other site data**. You may also select **Browsing history** if you want to remove the list of visited pages. Click **Clear data** to confirm.

If you only want to clear the cache without touching cookies, uncheck the cookies box. Remember that clearing cookies will sign you out of most websites, so you will need to log in again on your next visit. For a deeper look at managing your browsing data across devices, see our article on sync settings.

Clear data for a specific site only

Sometimes you want to reset one problematic site without losing all other browsing data. Chrome allows you to clear cookies and site data for an individual website while keeping the rest of your cache intact.

To do this, click the lock icon (or the info icon) next to the site's address in the address bar. Expand the **Site settings** section, then click **Clear data**. This removes cookies and site data for that domain only, but it does not clear cached files globally. For a faster method, you can also visit `chrome://settings/content/all` and search for the site, then use the trash icon to delete its data.

If you frequently need to clear site data, consider managing your extensions, as some may store additional data. Our guide on managing Chrome extensions can help you keep your browser lean.

When to clear the cache and what to expect

Clearing the cache is not something you need to do daily, but it is recommended if you notice unusual behavior, such as pages not reflecting recent updates, or if your device is running low on storage. The amount of space freed depends on how many sites you visit and how often. On a Chromebook with limited storage, like a 32GB model, regular clearing can help keep the system responsive.

After clearing, the first visit to a site may take slightly longer because the browser has to download resources again. But subsequent visits will return to normal once the cache is rebuilt. Clearing cache does not delete your downloads, files stored in the Files app, or any of your bookmarks and extensions.

If you are running low on storage and clearing the cache does not help enough, consider moving large files to an external drive or the cloud, or managing your Google Drive storage. For more tips on freeing space, see our guide on how to free up storage on a Chromebook. You might also want to review your Android app usage to identify what is consuming space.

Additional settings for browsing data

Chrome also lets you set Chrome to automatically clear browsing data when you close the browser. To enable this, go to `chrome://settings`, search for "cookies" in the search bar, and select **Cookies and other site data**. From there, you can turn on the option **Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows**. This does not affect your cache, which is controlled separately.

If you want to clear more than just the browser cache, such as your download history or file system cache, you can use the ChromeOS system settings. Go to **Settings**, then **Privacy and security**, and review the options for **Clear browsing data**. These settings apply specifically to the Chrome browser on your Chromebook.

For enterprise-managed Chromebooks, your administrator may enforce policies that prevent you from clearing certain data or restrict your ability to change privacy settings. In that case, contact your IT administrator for help. To understand how updates affect your browsing data, read about ChromeOS updates.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Will clearing the cache delete my downloads or files?

No. Clearing cache and cookies only removes temporary web data and site-specific information. Files you have downloaded or saved to your Chromebook's drive remain untouched.

Do I need to sign in to all my websites again after clearing cookies?

Yes, clearing cookies will sign you out of most sites that require login. You will need to enter your credentials again on your next visit.

How often should I clear my browser cache?

There is no fixed schedule. Clear it when you encounter page loading problems or when you want to free up storage. Most users only need to do this occasionally, such as once a month.

Can I clear cache and cookies for a single site only?

Yes. Open the site's page, click the lock icon in the address bar, go to Site settings, and choose Clear data to remove that site's cookies and site data.

Does clearing the cache improve Chromebook performance?

It can help if the cache has become corrupted or if the storage is nearly full. Otherwise, the performance gain is usually minimal, but it may resolve specific page errors.