A buildup of cached data and cookies is one of the most common causes of sluggish page loads, login loops, and sites behaving strangely on a Chromebook.
How to Clear Cache and Cookies
- Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu, then Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.
- Under the Basic tab, check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Choose a time range; “All time” clears everything, while a shorter range keeps more recent site data intact.
- Click Clear data.
Clearing Data for Just One Site
If only one specific site is misbehaving, clearing everything isn’t necessary. Click the lock or info icon in the address bar while on that site, select Site settings, then Clear data, which resets just that site without logging you out of everything else.
What Each Option Actually Clears
- Cookies: Signs you out of most sites and resets saved preferences on them.
- Cached images and files: Forces sites to reload fresh content instead of a stored local copy, which fixes many display glitches.
- Browsing history: Optional, and separate from cache and cookies; clearing it doesn’t affect performance the way cache does.
Still Having Issues After Clearing?
If pages still load slowly after clearing cache and cookies, the cause may be broader than the browser itself. Our guide on a Chromebook running slow covers system-level causes like memory and background processes. If a specific app rather than a website keeps acting up, see our guide on apps that keep crashing instead.
FAQ
Does clearing cache delete my saved passwords?
No, as long as you don’t also check “Passwords and other sign-in data” in the Clear browsing data menu. Cache and cookies are separate from saved passwords.
How often should I clear cache and cookies?
There’s no fixed schedule needed for most people. Clear it when a specific site or Chrome overall starts feeling sluggish or behaves unexpectedly, rather than on a routine basis.
Will I need to log back into everything after clearing cookies?
Yes, for any site relying on a cookie to keep you signed in. Sites using Google Sign-In will typically reconnect automatically since that session is separate from site cookies.
