There are many reasons why you may need to clear your computer's browsing data, such as cache and cookies:
- Internal VIU Systems like the Student Record System (SRS) are not loading properly
- Websites outside VIU are not loading properly
- VIULearn is producing the "Bad Request - Request Too Long and HTTP Error 400" error message.
- VIU's Unit4 (Payroll Portal) is directing you to a non-VIU branded log in page where VIU credentials are not accepted
- Your browsing speed is extremely sluggish
This page will outline how to clear browsing data on the most common web browsers. If clearing your browsing data does not resolve the issue, please email ithelp@viu.ca to create a help ticket with our IT department.
Important Notes:
- Clearing your browsing data will result in losing your browsing history.
- Websites may also take a bit longer to load the first time you visit them.
- Bookmarks will NOT be cleared unless otherwise noted.
- Saved Passwords will NOT be cleared unless otherwise noted.
How to clear browsing data on Google Chrome (Windows and Mac)
- Open Google Chrome
- If on Windows, press Ctrl + H, or click the kebab menu in the top-right corner, scroll over History , then click History
- If on MacOS, press Command + Y, or click the kebab menu in the top-right corner, scroll over History , then click History
- In the top-left corner of Chrome, click Clear browsing data . The clear browsing data dialog box will open.
- Change the "Time range" option to All time.
- Make sure all 3 options are selected: Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
- Click the Clear data button, then close and reopen Chrome to complete the process.
How to clear browsing data on Firefox (Windows and Mac)
- Open Firefox
- Click the hamburger menu in the top-right corner, click History , then click Clear recent history... The clear recent history dialog box will open.
- Change the Time range to clear option to Everything
- Make sure the following 3 options are selected: Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files. You can leave everything else deselected.
- Click the OK button, then close and reopen Firefox to complete the process.
How to clear browsing data on Microsoft Edge (Windows)
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Press Ctrl + H, or click the ellipses menu in the top-right corner, then click History.
- In the top-right corner of the history pane, click the ellipses menu then click Clear browsing data.
![Clear Browsing Data in Edge [image]](https://ithelp.viu.ca/TDPortal/Images/Viewer?fileName=9cd4e63f-2e57-4271-8d99-9d661a322d05.png)
- Change the "Time range" option to All time.
- Make sure these 3 options are selected: Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files. You can leave everything else deselected.
- Click the Clear now button, then close and reopen Edge to complete the process.
How to clear browsing data on Safari (Mac)
Clear only browsing history
- Open Safari
- Along the top menu bar, click History, then click Clear History...
- For the Clear option, select All History, then click the Clear History button
Clear browsing data
- Open Safari
- Along the top menu bar, click Safari, then click Preferences
- Select the Privacy tab, then click the Manage Website Data... button
- Either find and select the website you'd like to clear data for and click the Remove button, or click the Remove All button to clear everything, everywhere. Doing this may require you to re-enter your passwords on certain websites.
- When finished here, click the blue Done button.
Once you have cleared your history or your cache, it's generally a good idea to restart your browser before continuing. You can quit Safari by pressing the key combination Command + Q, or by clicking Safari from the top menu bar then clicking Quit Safari.