Firefox cache and cookies can store images, files, and websites we visited. Although this feature may improve our browsing experience, it might also bring some issues. When you accumulate a lot of cache and cookies in Firefox, the site loading speed will become slow. Thus, it is important to clear them regularly. In this article, we will introduce a step-by-step guide on how to clear the Firefox cache.
Why Should You Clear Cache in Firefox?
Whether in a browser like Firefox or Chrome, the cache plays as a temporary storage location. When you visit a website for the first time, Firefox will take some time to download the site’s resources and save them in the cache. If you want to access the same website later, Firefox will load saved resources directly.
The cache can save bandwidth and avoid downloading the same files. However, the data in the cache may be outdated or corrupted sometimes. Besides, a lot of cache in Firefox can cause pages to display incorrectly or load slowly. As a result, you need to clear the cache.
Clear Firefox Cache on PC
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clear the Firefox cache on a PC. The detailed steps vary depending on the version you’re using. We will take the latest updated Firefox as an example.
Method 1:
Step 1: Open Firefox on your desktop.
Step 2: Click on the 3-line menu bar and select the “History” section in the popup.
Step 3: You can see the “Clear recent history” option here. Tap on it.
Step 4: The pop-up dialog box has four selections “History”, “Cookies and site data”, and “Temporary cached files and pages.”
Step 5: You can choose when you want to clear. The time range includes “Last hour”, “Last two hours”, “Last four hours”, “Everything”, etc.
Step 6: After that, click the “Clear” button.
Method 2:
Besides the method above, you can clear the Firefox cache from the Settings option. Follow our guide below.
- Click the three lines in the top right corner of your Firefox.
- There is a “Settings” option, tap on it.
- Choose “Privacy & Security” on the left page.
- Scroll down and you’ll see “Cookies and Site Data”.
- Tap on the “Clear Data” button in this section.
- Choose what and when you want to remove from the popup. Note that the “Everything” option will clear all selected items.
- Finally, click on “Clear”.
Tip: If you don’t want to clear cache and cookies manually, you can check the box that says Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. After this, your Firefox cache will be cleared automatically when you close the browser.
What Happens After Clearing Firefox Cache?
- When visiting a certain site that you accessed before, Firefox may need to download web resources again.
- Interface design such as fonts, colors, etc. of some web pages will change.
- You may be logged out of most sites in your Firefox browser.
- Firefox browser may lose resources stored offline, causing you to not be able to access offline pages or applications.
- Clean up the cache file and free up some memory.
- After clearing the Firefox cache, the browser re-fetches the page to fix loading errors or display issues.
Benefits of Clearing Cache on Firefox
There are several important benefits to clearing Firefox cache, and some of the main considerations are listed following.
Improve Browsing Speed
The browser’s cache accumulates much data, including web page content, images, and scripts. These may slow down the loading speed of Firefox. Clearing them frees up storage space, which improves responsiveness.
Protect Privacy
The cache can store your personal information such as login credentials, browsing history, and sensitive data. Clearing the cache helps prevent this information from being accessed by unauthorized people.
Tip:
Besides clearing the cache, you can use a Firefox VPN to protect your privacy. LightningX VPN is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, etc. It has a strong encryption protocol and no-log policy, allowing you to browse anonymously. LightningX VPN also hides your IP, helping prevent tracking by third parties. It offers 2000+ servers. You can change your IP to bypass geo-restrictions and access global content.
Load the Latest Content
Firefox cache may cause web pages to display incorrectly or experience other browsing problems. For example, if a web page has been updated with new content, but the browser displays an older version of the cached data. Clearing the cache ensures that the browser is loading the latest web content.
Free up Storage Space
Cached data takes up storage space on your computer. For devices with limited storage space, clearing the cache regularly can help save space. Make sure there is enough space for other important files and applications.
Clear Firefox Cache – FAQs
Can I clear the cache in Firefox?
Yes. The steps are simple. There are two methods outlined above. Also, you can click Settings>Privacy & Security>Cookies and Site Data>Clear Data.
Does the cache influence my Firefox work properly?
Yes. If you don’t clear your cache, it may accumulate a lot of data. It potentially slows down Firefox’s performance. Also, it could cause websites to load outdated content.
How often should I clear the cache?
Generally, you don’t need to clear your cache frequently. If you encounter browser issues, clearing it can free up space and improve performance. Thus, the frequency of clearing the cache depends on your needs.
Conclusion
Follow the steps above, you can successfully clear your Firefox cache. After clearing, your Firefox performance is improved, website data is updated, and drive space is freed up. In addition, the cache may store your login information or preferences on some websites. Thus, you need to log in again and reset on your next visit.
