UiBhelp's public knowledge cards

KI 3482 Delete cookies and/or cache in your web browser

(updated )
Here you will find information about what cookies and browser caches are, why they can cause problems, and how to delete them in various web browsers.
If you experience issues with logging in, accessing databases or e-resources, or viewing webpages, this is often due to outdated cookies or a corrupted web browser cache.

In such cases, it may be helpful to clear them from your web browser.

Note: If you are worried about losing everything—don’t panic. You generally only need to clear your cookies and cache. There is no need to delete your browsing history, saved passwords, or bookmarks.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are downloaded and stored in your web browser when you visit websites. They are used for purposes such as remembering your settings, keeping you logged in, managing sessions, collecting anonymous usage statistics, and making websites easier to use.

Cookies typically contribute to a better user experience. However, in some instances, old or erroneous cookies can cause problems with logging in or accessing online services.
What is a cache?
A cache consists of files and data that your web browser stores locally on your device—such as images, videos, scripts, and other resources from the websites you visit. This allows pages to load faster during subsequent visits, as the browser can use the stored files instead of downloading them again.

A cache generally contributes to a faster and more efficient user experience, while also reducing data usage and the load on the website. If the content in the cache becomes outdated or corrupted, it can cause websites to display incorrectly, prevent updates to a site from appearing, or cause certain features to malfunction.

When should you clear cookies and the cache?
Clearing your cookies and cache can be useful to ensure that your browser retrieves the latest version of a website. This is particularly helpful if your browser or a website is not behaving as expected—for example, if you:
  • experience issues logging in
  • cannot access databases or online resources
  • find that a webpage does not load correctly
  • see old or outdated information on a webpage
  • encounter error messages that persist even after reloading the page

How do I clear cookies and the cache?
Most web browsers include a feature for deleting browsing data. You can usually find this under privacy and security settings, or by clicking an icon located to the left of the address bar (often a padlock, a shield, or another symbol).

Look for options such as: "Delete browsing data," "Cookies and other site data," "Manage on-device site data," "Manage Website Data," "Cached images and files," or similar terms.

When deleting browsing data, select the options related to cookies and cached files. It is generally not necessary to delete your browsing history or other types of data, unless you wish to do so.

We recommend that you close and restart your browser after doing this.

Note: When cookies are deleted, you will usually be logged out of websites and will need to log in again.

If you are unsure where to find the deletion settings, you can consult the official guides for the web browser you are using.
Guides for various web browsers
Below is an overview of official guides on how to delete cookies and your cache in the most commonly used web browsers (including Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Brave, and Opera). Locate the browser you use and click the link to open a detailed guide in Norwegian or English.

Note: Most web browsers are set to accept cookies automatically. You can also override this setting.

Google ChromeApple SafariMicrosoft Edge
Mozilla Firefox
Brave
Opera
What if the problem persists?
Sometimes the problem stems from the interaction between the website and the web browser. If you continue to experience issues viewing web pages or accessing content or services after deleting cookies and clearing your cache, you can try:
  • opening the website in a different browser
  • using a private or incognito window
  • trying a different device
  • contacting the library if the problem concerns access to the library's e-resources



Go to the knowledge base homepage for the library's e-resources by following this link: KI 0144
Go to the knowledge base homepage for Oria by following this link: KI 3300