Website cache or browser cache: what to check
Your browser can keep a local copy of website resources, while a host, application or content delivery network may keep shared copies for many visitors. Clearing one does not necessarily clear the others. Start by comparing the same published public page in a separate browsing session before changing any website-level setting.
Before you start
- Keep a note of the expected change and when it was published.
- Finish or save any important form or checkout activity before troubleshooting.
What to do
Confirm that this is the live page
Compare the exact address with the published website, not an editor or staging preview. Check for a different hostname or path. A design saved as a draft will not become public by clearing caches, so establish the publication status first.
Compare a separate session
Open the ordinary public address in another browser or a new private window. Record whether the changed element appears. If it does, local browser state is one possibility. If it does not, publication or a shared delivery layer may need checking; neither result is a complete diagnosis.
Use a narrow browser action if needed
Follow the browser’s official instructions for your device. Review the selected data categories before confirming anything, and select cached files only when that is the intended action. Leave passwords, cookies and other data unselected unless you have a separate reason and understand the consequences.
Ask the maintainer about shared caching
Provide the address, publication time and comparison results. The maintainer can check the application or delivery cache and release process. Website-wide cache changes can affect performance and customer sessions, so avoid experimenting with unfamiliar hosting or plugin controls during business hours.
What to check
- The test uses a published public address.
- You know which data or delivery layer was changed.
- The new version remains correct on a normal repeat visit.
Sources and further reading
Platform features can change. Check the provider’s current guidance before changing a live service.