How to Clear YouTube Cache on Different Devices?

5 mins read

Updated on 2026-07-24 18:42:45 to Windows Fix

YouTube stores temporary thumbnails, scripts, images, and playback data so pages and videos load faster. When those files become outdated or unusually large, the app may buffer, show blank thumbnails, fail to load comments, or occupy too much storage. Learning how to clear YouTube cache can refresh the app or browser without deleting your channel, subscriptions, playlists, or uploaded videos. Follow the matching steps below to lear cache.

⚡ 1. How to Clear YouTube Cache on PC

On a Windows PC, YouTube normally runs in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or a browser-installed web app. Its temporary files can therefore be mixed with browser cache, application cache, logs, and Windows temporary data. To clear APP cache while also removing unnecessary files from the system drive, you can use the Windows Clean feature in 4DDiG Partition Manager.

Close YouTube tabs, browsers, and active downloads before cleaning. This prevents files from being locked or immediately recreated.

  • Install and launch 4DDiG Partition Manager. Open Windows Clean from the main navigation area. Select App cache and other categories you want to inspect. Start the scan and wait for the results.

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    windows clean
  • Review the detected files before removal. Deselect personal items you want to keep.

    select items to clean
  • Once you confirm the cleanup, wait for 4DDiG to finish wiping the YouTube cache, then restart your browser for the changes to take effect.

    clean successfully

This method is useful when YouTube problems appear together with a full C drive or generally slow browser performance.

2. How to Clear YouTube Cache on iPhone and Android?

Android normally provides a Clear cache button for each app. iOS does not offer the same universal control, so iPhone users usually need to offload or reinstall YouTube.

For Android

  • Close YouTube. Open Settings. Tap Apps or App management.

  • Select YouTube. Tap Storage & cache or Storage. Select Clear cache.

    clear youtube cache on android
  • Reopen YouTube and test the affected video.

Clearing cache removes temporary files but normally keeps your subscriptions, playlists, watch history, and app settings.

For iPhone

There is no dedicated Clear cache button for YouTube on iOS. Start with offloading:

  • Tap and hold YouTube.

  • After options appear, select Remove App and confirm to delete.

    delete youtube on iphone
  • Then, reinstall YouTube when the process finishes. And sign in and check playback again.

Account-based subscriptions, uploaded videos, playlists, and history remain available after you sign in again.

3.How to Clear YouTube Cache in Chrome?

  • Close unnecessary YouTube tabs. Click three dots menu, and select “Delete browsing data” option.

  • Select a time range. Use Last 24 hours for a recent problem or All time for a full reset.

  • Check Cached images and files, cookies and site data. Then, click Delete data button.

    clear youtube cache in chrome
  • Restart Chrome and reload YouTube.

If you also select cookies and site data, Chrome may sign you out of YouTube and other websites. Clearing cached images alone is less disruptive.

4.What If YouTube Still Buffers after Deleting Cache?

Deleting YouTube cache fixes damaged temporary files, but buffering can also result from network limitations, extensions, outdated software, or a YouTube outage. Try these fixes:

  • Restart the router and compare Wi-Fi with another connection.
  • Update YouTube, the browser, Windows, Android, or iOS.
  • Test YouTube in Incognito mode or another browser.
  • Turn off a VPN or proxy temporarily.
  • Make sure the device has enough free storage.

More FAQs About Deleting YouTube Cache

1. What Does Clearing YouTube Cache Do?

Clearing cache removes temporary files created to speed up loading. It does not delete your channel, subscriptions, uploaded videos, or cloud-synced playlists. On Android, clear YouTube app cache differs from clearing app storage. Clearing storage resets the app more completely and may remove downloads or sign-in information. In Chrome, deleting cookies or site data can sign you out, while deleting cached images alone usually does not.

2. How Do You Erase YouTube History on iPhone?

Cache and watch history are separate. Open YouTube, tap your profile picture, go to Settings > Manage all history, tap Delete, choose a period such as today, a custom range, or all time, and confirm. You can also configure auto-delete. Removing watch history changes recommendations and removes watched items from your Google account history; clearing cache only deletes temporary device files.

Conclusion

The right method for how to clear YouTube cache depends on the device. Android provides a direct cache button, while iPhone users may need to offload or reinstall YouTube. Chrome can remove all cached files or YouTube-specific site data. On Windows, 4DDiG Partition Manager’s Windows Clean feature offers a broader way to scan browser cache, temporary files, and system clutter before removal. Start with the least disruptive method, avoid deleting passwords or personal downloads, and then check the connection, extensions, updates, and free storage if YouTube still buffers.

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William Bollson (senior editor)

William Bollson, the editor-in-chief of 4DDiG, devotes to providing the best solutions for Windows and Mac related issues, including data recovery, repair, error fixes.

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