How to Clear the Cache

The Competition Portal is a web-based application that runs in a web browser. There may be times when a Competition Portal screen or display may have some oddities that are created when the application has an error or if there was a recent release of new features. This can often be fixed by clearing the browser cache (“hard refresh”).

The process for clearing a web browser cache is dependent on the browser and device type. The examples below will show a few ways to clear a cache, but if those do not work for your device, it’s recommended to do a web search to determine how to do so.

Laptops / Computers

• Chrome Browser (PC - Windows/Linux)

  Option 1: Shift + F5
  Option 2: Ctrl + Shift + R

• Chrome Browser (Mac)

  Option 1: Command (⌘) + Shift + R 
  Option 2: Hold down the Shift key and click the Reload button in the address bar.

• Safari (Mac)

  Option 1: Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + E, then select the Reload button in the address bar.

• Microsoft Edge (PC - Windows/Linux)

  Option 1: Ctrl + F5
  Option 2: Ctrl + Refresh

• Microsoft Edge (Mac)

  Option 1: Command (⌘) + Shift + R

Tablets 

• Clear the browser cache and cookies 

  • Android: In Chrome, tap the three dots > History > Clear browsing data. Select "All time" for the time range, and check Cookies and site data and Cached images and files. Tap Clear data.
  • iOS: In Chrome, tap the three dots > History > Clear browsing data. Choose a time range and make sure Cache and Cookies and site data are selected. Tap Clear browsing data.
  • Browser Settings: You can also go to your browser's settings, find the "Privacy" or "Privacy and security" section, and select "Clear browsing data" or a similar option. 

• Open an incognito or private tab 

  • Open a new incognito or private browsing tab. This will load the page without using any cached data, effectively giving you a hard refresh for that single session.

• Other methods

  • Swipe down: On some apps, swiping down from the top of the screen will perform a refresh.
  • Clear cache for the app: Go to your tablet's main Settings > Apps > find your browser app > Storage > Clear Cache.

Mobile Phones

• Clearing browser cache

  • This method is the most reliable for a hard refresh. It clears the cache, cookies, and other temporary data, forcing the browser to download a fresh copy of the webpage.
  • Chrome (Android): Go to the three-dots menu (⋮) > Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Check the boxes for "Cached images and files" and "Cookies and site data," then select "Clear data".
  • Chrome (iOS): Go to the three-dots menu (⋯) > History > Clear browsing data. Select "Cache" and/or "Cookies and site data," choose the time range, and tap "Clear data".
  • Safari (iOS): Open the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad > Safari > Clear History and Website Data > Clear History and Data.

• Force refreshing the page

  • Some mobile browsers have a "force refresh" option that can be accessed directly from the browser settings.  
  • Chrome (Android): Navigate to More (⋮) > Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data > Cached images and files.
  • Samsung Internet (Android): Tap the three-dots menu (⋮) > Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data > Cached images and files. 

• Restarting your phone

  • A full restart will clear the phone's temporary memory, which can fix many browser issues. 
    • Android: Press and hold the side button until the "Power off" or "Restart" option appears. Tap "Restart".
    • iOS: Press and hold the side or top button along with the volume button until the power-off slider appears. Slide to turn off the device. Then, press and hold the side or top button to turn it back on.