How to Clear Cookies for Just One Website

When a single website misbehaves (a login loop, a page that will not load, a cart that keeps old items) clearing that site's cookies often fixes it. You do not have to wipe everything and sign out of every account you have. Here is how to remove cookies and stored data for just one website in each major browser.

What clearing one site's data actually does

Websites store small pieces of information in your browser: cookies, and larger stores often called "site data" or "local storage". They remember that you are signed in, your preferences, the contents of a basket and sometimes a broken state that causes the problem you are seeing.

Clearing a site's data:

• signs you out of that site (and only that site);
• resets its preferences, such as language or theme;
• removes any offline copies it saved;
• does not delete your account, your saved passwords or your browsing history.

Google Chrome (computer)

Quick way, while you are on the site:

1. Click the site information icon to the left of the address in the address bar.
2. Choose Cookies and site data, then Manage on-device site data.
3. Click the bin icon next to each entry for the site, then Done, and reload the page.

From settings: open Settings › Privacy and security › Site settings › View permissions and data stored across sites. Search for the site's name and click the bin icon next to it.

Microsoft Edge (computer)

1. Click the padlock or site information icon to the left of the address.
2. Choose Cookies (or Cookies and site data).
3. Select the entries for the site and click Remove, then reload.

From settings: Settings › Cookies and site permissions › Manage and delete cookies and site data › See all cookies and site data. Search for the site and delete its entry.

Mozilla Firefox (computer)

1. While on the site, click the padlock icon in the address bar.
2. Choose Clear cookies and site data… and confirm.

From settings: Settings › Privacy & Security › Cookies and Site Data › Manage Data…. Search for the site, select it, click Remove Selected, then Save Changes.

Safari (Mac)

1. Open Safari › Settings (called Preferences on older versions).
2. Go to the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data…
3. Search for the site, select it and click Remove.

Safari (iPhone and iPad)

1. Open the Settings app and go to Safari (on recent versions: Settings › Apps › Safari).
2. Scroll down to Advanced and open Website Data.
3. Use the search box to find the site, then swipe left on it and tap Delete.

Chrome (Android)

1. Open the site, then tap the site information icon to the left of the address.
2. Tap Cookies and site data (on some versions: Permissions or Site settings).
3. Tap the bin icon to delete the site's data and confirm.

Still not working?

• The site uses several domains. Sign-in often happens on a separate domain (for example an "accounts" or "login" subdomain). Search for the company name and clear every related entry.
• The browser cache is involved. Try a hard reload: Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows and Linux, Cmd + Shift + R on a Mac.
• An extension is interfering. Open the site in a private window, where most extensions are off by default. If it works there, disable extensions one by one.
• The problem is on the site's side. If it fails on another device and another network too, wait or contact the site.

Clearing cookies for privacy, not just repairs

Cookies are also how sites and advertisers recognise you between visits. If you want a site to forget you entirely, clearing its data is a good start, but remember that signing in again links the new visit to your account. For keeping separate identities in one browser, such as work and personal, profiles and containers work much better than clearing cookies over and over; see Keep Accounts Apart with Browser Profiles and Containers.

Most browsers can also clear a site's data automatically when you close it. Look for options such as "delete cookies and site data when the browser is closed" with exceptions for the sites you trust.

Summary

You rarely need to clear everything. The site information icon next to the address bar gets you to one site's cookies in two or three clicks in every major browser. Clear that site, reload, sign in again, and the problem is usually gone.