Have you ever run into an issue with an app or web page and the search results or support team says the cache might need to be cleared? Often times, this can fix many loading or formatting issues. But what exactly is a cache, and what does clearing it do?

A cache is the location on a device where an internet browser (like Edge, Chrome, or Safari) or a smartphone app stashes images, fonts, formatting code, and other items to help them load more quickly. When you visit websites and use apps, certain elements are stored in the cache so they don't have to be loaded in every time, like logos and font formats, for example. But every now and then, sites and apps decide not to work properly, and clearing the cache often fixes the issue by aligning the version that's saved in the cache with the version live on the web.