Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Why should I clear cache and history and what happens when I do?

Charlie1761
Charlie1761
more options

A website that I use regularly suggests that I clear my cache and history in order to use a "remove" function on the site. It used to work (I check a box to remove an item from a list and then click on "save changes") but it doesn't anymore. I think they have a problem on their end but they say it's my browser's fault or to use another browser (which I don't want to do . . . I like Mozilla/Firefox).

A website that I use regularly suggests that I clear my cache and history in order to use a "remove" function on the site. It used to work (I check a box to remove an item from a list and then click on "save changes") but it doesn't anymore. I think they have a problem on their end but they say it's my browser's fault or to use another browser (which I don't want to do . . . I like Mozilla/Firefox).

All Replies (5)

kobe
kobe
more options

Clearing Cookies and Cache will temporarily log you out of all sites you're logged in to. To clear cache and cookies do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > History > Clear recent history or (if no Firefox button is shown) go to Tools > Clear recent history.
  2. Under "Time range to clear", select "Everything".
  3. Now, click the arrow next to Details to toggle the Details list active.
  4. From the details list, check Cache and Cookies and uncheck everything else.
  5. Now click the Clear now button.

Further information can be found in the Clear your cache, history and other personal information in Firefox article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Make sure that you keep cookies (Tools > Page Info > Permissions) from that server.

If clearing cookies doesn't work then it is possible that the cookies.sqlite file that stores the cookies is corrupted.

Rename (or delete) cookies.sqlite (cookies.sqlite.old) and delete other present cookie files like cookies.sqlite-journal in the Firefox profile folder in case the file cookies.sqlite got corrupted.

Charlie1761
Charlie1761 Question owner
more options

Hi,

Thanks for your reply but that's too complicated for me and I don't want to mess with what I don't understand.

Please understand: "I know how to drive the car but don't know how to fix it."

Cheers!

Charlie

the-edmeister
the-edmeister
  • Moderator
more options

Clearing the Cache and Cookies is more like filling the windscreen washer reservoir in a motor vehicle than fixing same - a "regular maintenance" item.

Charlie1761
Charlie1761 Question owner
more options

OK . . . that makes some sense. How often should it be done and why isn't it done automatically routinely?

BTW, is a windscreen something like a windshield? Just above the bonnet, eh?