For Chrome, Edge and Firefox, the hard refresh shortcut key is Ctrl + F5. It reloads the page and downloads fresh copies of its files instead of using the saved ones in the browser cache. Ctrl + Shift + R does the same and is easier to reach on laptops.
A normal refresh with F5 may show an old version of a page you just updated, or keep a broken layout. A hard refresh fixes most of those cases. On a Mac, press Command + Shift + R in Chrome and Firefox.
Quick facts
Hard refresh
Ctrl + F5Also hard refresh
Ctrl + Shift + RNormal refresh
F5Clear browsing data
Ctrl + Shift + DeleteMac
Command + Shift + RMac Safari
Command + Option + R
Hard refresh shortcut key in each browser
| Browser | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R | Command + Shift + R |
| Edge | Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R | Command + Shift + R |
| Firefox | Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R | Command + Shift + R |
| Safari | None | Command + Option + R |
Holding Shift while clicking the reload button also forces a hard refresh in Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
Ctrl + F5 shortcut key is used for what?
| Program | What Ctrl + F5 does |
|---|---|
| Web browsers | Hard refresh, bypassing the cache |
| Code editors | Run without debugging |
| Some document programs | Restore a maximised document window |
| Some accounting software | Add a payment entry |
So Ctrl + F5 means hard refresh only in browsers. In code editors it runs a program, explained in the code editor guide. Always check which window is active before pressing it.
When a hard refresh is not enough
- Press F12 to open developer tools.
- Right click the reload button next to the address bar.
- Choose Empty Cache and Hard Reload.
- If the problem stays, clear site data with Ctrl + Shift + Delete, choosing Cached images and files.
Empty Cache and Hard Reload clears the cache for that site only and is the strongest reload available. Clearing all cached files affects every site, so pages load a little slower the first time afterwards.
Why browsers cache pages
Browsers save images, styles and scripts so that pages open faster on the next visit and use less mobile data. When a site changes those files but keeps the same names, the browser may keep showing the saved version until its cache expires. That is why designers, students submitting online forms, and anyone seeing a page that looks broken after an update are told to hard refresh. Normal refresh is covered in refresh shortcut key.
When the page still looks wrong
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + F5 changes brightness | Press Fn + Ctrl + F5, or use Ctrl + Shift + R |
| Old version still shows | Use Empty Cache and Hard Reload in developer tools |
| Signed out after clearing | Cookies were cleared too; untick them next time |
| Page broken for everyone | The site has a fault; a refresh cannot fix it |
Frequently asked questions
What is the hard refresh shortcut key?
What is Ctrl + F5 used for?
In browsers it reloads a page without using the cache.
What is the difference between F5 and Ctrl + F5?
F5 may use cached files; Ctrl + F5 downloads fresh copies.
How do I hard refresh on a Mac?
What if a hard refresh does not help?
Use Empty Cache and Hard Reload from developer tools.
Does a hard refresh delete my passwords?
No. It only reloads that page's files.