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Clearing Cache and Cookies

What is a Web Browser?

A web browser is a software program, like Google Chrome or Safari, that you use on your computer, tablet, or phone to view and interact with websites on the internet. Some websites work better on one web browser than another. For example, Microsoft Edge might not be able to display some information that Google Chrome can display without issue.

When encountering display errors, it is helpful to find the web page you are trying to view using a different browser. Even if this does not solve the problem, it helps you and our support team pinpoint what might be causing the error.

What are Cookies?

You may have seen a request to accept cookies when you first visit a website. Cookies are small bits of information that websites put on your computer. They help the website remember things like your login details, what items you put in your shopping cart, or your preferences. This makes it easier for you when you visit the website again.

When the website makes changes to it’s layout, the cookies that are stored on your computer might become out of date. This can also happen when you update things like your address, password, or any other information. If you are having issues with signing in or with accessing a certain tool or feature, it is a good idea to clear your cookies and cache in case old cookies are causing issues. 

What is Cache?

Whenever you view a web page, your web browser must download the content of that page so you can see it, and your web browser stores copies of this content. This makes websites load faster the next time you visit them, because your browser can use the stored copies instead of downloading everything again.

Over time all this content builds up and starts to use a lot of memory. It may also be storing outdated information. For example, when you get a notification that your results have been updated and you see the old results when you visit the page, this may be due to an old cache.

It is important to clear your cache periodically so your web browser can run as smoothly and quickly as possible on our site as well as any other you visit. This is especially true when you get new results. 

Clearing Cache and Cookies

The cache and cookies in your web browser are stored in different places depending on what web browser you are using. Below are some steps to do this for some of the most commonly used web browsers.

NOTE: This information regards third-party companies such as Google and Microsoft. The web browsers and their settings may change at any time:

Google Chrome

  1. Click the Chrome icon on your computer
  2. Click the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top right corner of the browser window
  3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu
  4. Go to Privacy and Security
  5. Click Privacy and security In the left-hand menu
  6. Click Clear browsing data
  7. Select a time range at the top 
    • All time is usually the best option for a complete clear
  8. Checkmark the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files
  9. Click Clear data

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the Chrome icon on your computer
  2. Click the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top right corner of the browser window
  3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu
  4. Go to Privacy and Security
  5. Click Privacy, search, and services in the left-hand menu
  6. Click Choose what to clear under Clear browsing data
  7. Select a time range
    • All time is usually the best option for a complete clear
  8. Checkmark the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files
  9. Click Clear now

Safari (macOS)

  1. Click on the Safari icon
  2. Click Safari in the top menu bar
  3. Select Preferences
  4. Click the Privacy tab
  5. Click Manage Website Data...
  6. Click Remove All to delete all cookies
    or
    Select specific websites and click Remove

If you don't see Develop in the menu bar:

  1. Click Safari in the top menu bar
  2. Select Preferences
  3. Click Advanced
  4. Check the Show Develop menu in the menu bar
  5. Click Develop
  6. Select Empty Caches

Firefox

  1. Click the Firefox icon
  2. Click the three horizontal lines (≡) in the top right corner
  3. Select Settings
  4. Click Privacy & Security in the left-hand menu.
  5. Click Clear Data... in the Cookies and Site Data section, 
  6. Checkmark the boxes next to Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content
  7. Click Clear
  8. Click Clear Now to confirm
     
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