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Basic Browser Troubleshooting
Simple Browser Troubleshooting
Follow these steps in order to isolate the issue:
1. Does the website specify a required browser?
-
Yes:
-
Use the suggested browser (e.g., Edge for Microsoft 365 tools or Chrome for Google Workspace).
-
Still not working? Check if the site requires a desktop/mobile app instead.
-
-
No: Proceed to step 2.
2. Test in a different browser
-
Open the site in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari (or your OS default).
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Same issue? → The problem is likely website/server-side. Contact the site’s support.
-
Works in another browser? → Proceed to step 3.
3. Open the page in a Private/Incognito Window
-
Chrome/Edge:
Ctrl+Shift+N
(Windows) /Cmd+Shift+N
(Mac). -
Firefox:
Ctrl+Shift+P
/Cmd+Shift+P
. -
Safari:
File
→New Private Window
. -
If it works:
-
Your browser extensions, cookies, or cache are causing the issue. Disable extensions (step 4) or clear cache (step 5).
-
4. Force-Reload the Page (Bypass Cache)
-
Windows/Linux: Hold
Ctrl + Shift
and click Reload (🔄). -
Mac: Hold
Cmd + Shift
and click Reload. -
Still broken? → Proceed to step 5.
5. Clear Browser Cache & Cookies
(Follow browser-specific steps below)
Microsoft Edge
-
Click ••• → Settings → Privacy & Security.
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Under Clear browsing data, select Cookies and cached data.
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Check "Time range" → Choose All time → Clear now.
Google Chrome
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Click ••• → Settings → Privacy & Security.
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Select Clear browsing data → Advanced → Check Cookies and Cached files.
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Set time range to All time → Clear data.
Mozilla Firefox
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Click ☰ → Settings → Privacy & Security.
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Scroll to Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data → Check both boxes → Clear.
Safari
-
Go to Safari → Settings → Privacy.
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Click Manage Website Data → Remove All.
6. Still Not Working?
-
Update your browser: Outdated versions often break sites.
-
Edge:
edge://settings/help
-
Chrome:
chrome://settings/help
-
Firefox:
about:preferences#general
→ Updates.
-
-
Check browser extensions: Disable all, then re-enable one by one.
7. Advanced Fixes
-
Create a new browser profile: Corrupted profiles often cause issues.
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Reinstall the browser: Backup bookmarks first (most sync automatically via cloud accounts).
Last Modified:
Mar 26, 2025 1:54 pm GMT-4
Created:
Sep 8, 2020 5:42 pm GMT-4
by
admin
JumpURL: https://eng.purdue.edu/jump/2f21759