How to Clear the Firefox Cache

How to Clear the Firefox Cache

Note: Clearing the cache in Firefox is completely safe and should not remove any important data from your computer. To clear the Firefox cache on your phone or tablet, see Tip 4 at the bottom of this page.

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.

2. Click the Menu button (aka the "hamburger button" from the top right of the program - the one with three horizontal lines) and then choose Options.
   
   If Options is not listed in the menu, click Customize and drag Options from the list of Additional Tools and Features over to the Menu. ​
   
   Note: If you're using the menu bar, choose Tools and then Options instead. You can also enter about:preferences in a new tab or window.​
   
   Firefox for Mac: On a Mac, choose Preferences from the Firefox menu and then continue as instructed below.

1. With the Options window now open, click the Privacy & Security or Privacy tab on the left.

2. In the History area, click the clear your recent history link.

   Tip: If you don't see that link, change the Firefox will: option to Remember history. You can change it back to your custom setting when you're done.

1. In the Clear Recent History window that appears, set the Time range to clear: to Everything.
   
   Note: Doing this will remove all the cached files, but you can pick a different time range if you'd like. See Tip 5 below for more information.

2. In the list at the bottom of the window, uncheck everything except for Cache.​
   
   Note: If you wish to clear other kinds of stored data, like the browsing history, feel free to check the appropriate boxes. They will be cleared along with the cache in the next step.​
   
   Tip: Don't see anything to check? Click the arrow next to Details.

3. Click on the Clear Now button.

4. When the Clear All History window disappears, all of the files saved (cached) from your internet browsing activities in Firefox will have been removed.
   
   Note: If your internet cache is large, Firefox may hang while it finishes removing the files. Just be patient - it will eventually finish the job.

Please note: Older versions of Firefox, particularly Firefox 4 through Firefox 38, have very similar processes for clearing the cache but steps may vary. Please try to keep Firefox updated to the latest version when possible.