What is a Hard Refresh and How to do it

What is a Hard Refresh?

Hard Refresh is a way of clearing out the browser’s (i.e. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) cache for a specific page. Clearing the cache will force your browser to load the most recent version of the files used for a specific page, this usually include stylesheets or other important scripts. Clearing of a browser’s cache should be completed every time an update is made on a site, this will allow a view to always see the intended files associated with any and all updates.

Clicking the refresh button located near the address bar IS NOT the same as a hard refresh

How to Hard Refresh in Google Chrome Chrome Logo

Make sure you are on the web page you would like too hard refresh.

  • Windows: hold down Ctrl and then press F5 on your keyboard
  • MAC: hold down ⌘ Cmd and ⇧ Shift and then press R on your keyboard

How to Hard Refresh in Firefox Firefox Logo

Make sure you are on the web page you would like too hard refresh.

  • Windows: hold down Ctrl and then press F5 on your keyboard
  • MAC: hold down ⌘ Cmd and ⇧ Shift and then press R on your keyboard

How to Hard Refresh in Safari Safari Logo

Make sure you are on the web page you would like too hard refresh on a MAC computer.

  • Step #1: Go to Safari (Top right corner of screen near Apple logo) → Preferences → Advanced → (Check Box) Show Develop menu in menu bar
  • Step #2: Go to Develop (Top right corner of screen near Apple logo and left of Safari) → Empty Caches