Whenever you are modifying your Shopify store whether it be a change to an image, some rewording of your product descriptions, or a modification to your design the last thing you want to do is wait for those changes to appear on the front-end of your store. You’ve hit refresh, opened a new tab, and maybe even accessed your store on another device… only to find that you have the same old outdated content staring back at you.
In general, this happens because of cache a smart, but at times annoying, system of storing temporary copies of your website, to help speed it up. Cache is useful for performance, but it sometimes can get in the way of seeing recent changes you made.
In this article, we will talk about how Shopify has caching, why your changes may be delayed or cached, and most importantly how to clear cache on Shopify so that your site reflects your recent changes.
What Is Caching and Why Does Shopify Use It?
Caching is like a memory shortcut for either your browser or server. Instead of downloading the same content, again and again, a browser or server will store a locally accessible copy so that you can browse faster. Shopify, like most eCommerce platforms, has caching in different levels.
· Browser Cache: The local browser saves images, stylesheets, and scripts so that they don’t need to be reloaded.
· Theme and App Cache: Some apps or theme files may utilize caching methods to speed up their operations. This process is often seamless however, when viewing updates to your store, caching can result in still seeing the older version.
Common Instances of Cache Process Interference
The following are instances when you might notice cache functioning incorrectly:
1 You swapped out images for your products, but the old images still show.
2 You altered banner graphics on your homepage, but they don’t display.
3 You updated some code with the theme, but the changes did not appear.
4 You made changes to language and formatting, but nothing appears to change.
In such instances, it is helpful to know how to clear Shopify cache or find workarounds so the updates can be viewed in real-time.
How to Clear Shopify Cache on the Browser Side
The simplest cache issues are browser-related. To resolve cache issues, you can clear the browser cache:
For Google Chrome
1. Access your Shopify store.
2. If this does not work go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data.
3. Select ‘Cached images and files’ and click ‘Clear data’.
For Firefox
1. Click the hamburger menu (☰) > History > Clear Recent History.
2. Select ‘Cache’ and clear.
After you complete this process, you can refresh your Shopify Store and check if the updates are visible now.
Clearing Cache in Shopify Themes and Files
Caching is not always the fault of your browser, it can be your Shopify CDN or theme files holding on to old versions. While you cannot delete the Shopify CDN cache (that is stored on the Shopify side), there are a couple of ways to “nudge” Shopify to order it to return the most up-to-date version:
1. Save the Theme Again
Even if you have not made any recent changes, you can open the Shopify theme editor and click Save. This may trigger Shopify to recompile and load the latest version.
2. Rename Your Assets
If you have created or edited a CSS or JavaScript file (e.g. custom.css), you can change the filename to custom-v2.css. Then update your theme to load that new version. Shopify will treat this as a new file and it will not provide a cached version.
App and Plugin Caching
If you are using Shopify apps that integrate things like sliders, reviews, or widgets, these can also have their own cache. Look to see if the app has a refresh or clear cache button in its settings. If it doesn’t, reach out to support of the app – they can usually help clear the cached info on their end.
Use Incognito/Private Mode to Test
When testing out changes and you want to see what a new visitor sees, try opening your website in an incognito or private window. This mode will not use any cached files, allowing you a clean view of your live site.
Final Thoughts – Keep Cache From Slowing You Down
Caching is supposed to make things faster, but unless you’re aware of where the caching is happening, it can be super frustrating when you want to see updates. Once you’re aware of the cache on a browser, CDN or app level, you will be fine.
If you’re troubleshooting product photos not showing up, or you’re simply quick-viewing a new layout, knowing How to Clear Shopify Cache can save you time and headache. Once you have the right tricks, you don’t have to be a developer to manage updates to your store, just some key tips and a little persistence.
