How to Clear your Cache

Most browser-based systems, including Dynamics 365, rely heavily on the local “browser cache”, which is a storage area for frequently used application data that’s required to use the system. Storing this data right on your machine allows the application to run significantly faster since it doesn’t need to wait for a response from the server (which could be across the country, or even on the other side of the world) for every bit of information.

But sometimes relying on the cache can cause issues. We won’t get into those here, but just know that it’s a good idea to periodically delete these cache files, a process called “clearing your cache”.

Many issues encountered when working with Dynamics 365 can be resolved by clearing your cache, so we recommend using this technique as your go-to first troubleshooting step.

Here are a few instances where clearing the cache is known to clear up issues:

• After system upgrades
• After publishing changes
• When the system seems to be running slow
• If forms not opening or getting stuck on “Loading Business Logic”

So without further ado, here’s how to clear the cache in all the major web browsers:

Internet Explorer
Edge
Chrome
Firefox
Safari

Clearing cache in Internet Explorer

Click on the gear icon and select “Internet options”

On the General tab, click “Delete” in the “Browsing history” section

Select “Temporary Internet files and website files”, “Cookies and website data” and any other items you’d like, then click “Delete”

Clearing cache in Edge

Click the ellipse icon in the top right corner, then select “Settings”

Scroll down to the “Clear browsing data” section, and click “Choose what to clear”

Select “Cookies and saved website data”, “Cached data and filed” and any other items you want to delete, then click “Clear”.

Clearing cache in Chrome

Click the Settings icon (three dots) in the top right corner. Click on “More tools”, then select “Clear browsing data”.

On the Clear browsing data screen, on the “Basic” tab select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files” and click “Clear data”

Clearing cache in Firefox

Click the settings icon (three bars) in the top right corner, then select “Options”.

Select “Privacy and Security” from the menu on the left, then scroll down to the “History” section. Click “Clear History”.

Set the time range to “Everything” and select “Active Logins”, “Cookies”, “Cache” and any other items you would like to clear, then click “Clear Now”.

Clearing cache in Safari

Click the Safari menu and choose “Preferences”

On the “Privacy” tab, click “Remove All Website Data”

Click “Remove Now”

Final words

With browser-based applications, clearing your cache is the new “did you restart it?” question in IT spaces.  If you see strange behaviors (especially behaviors that aren’t consistent among all users) try clearing the cache before spending time with more advanced troubleshooting.

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