How to Clear the Joomla Cache
Use Joomla's cache manager instead of deleting files manually
Sign in to Joomla Administrator and go to System → Maintenance → Clear Cache. Joomla's cache manager lists cache groups that Joomla knows how to remove. Using the Administrator tool is safer than browsing the filesystem and deleting files whose purpose or ownership is uncertain.
Select the cache groups you want to clear
Review the listed cache groups and select the ones related to the content or extension you are troubleshooting. If you need a complete Joomla cache reset, select all listed groups and use the toolbar's delete action. Joomla 5 help also provides Delete All for removing all listed cache items.
Expect a temporary performance dip
Cache files exist to avoid rebuilding reusable output. Joomla's documentation notes that after cache files are deleted, the site may be a little slower until normal requests recreate them. This is expected and is not, by itself, evidence that clearing the cache damaged the site.
Clear cache after changes that remain stale
Clearing Joomla's cache is useful after significant template, language, module, extension, or configuration changes when old output continues to appear. Page Cache deserves special attention because updating an article does not automatically clear every cached full page on which that article appears.
Know the difference between clear and expired-cache cleanup
Clear Cache can remove current cached items as well as expired ones. Clear Expired Cache removes only cache files Joomla considers expired and leaves current entries available. Use the narrower expired-cache cleanup when your goal is maintenance rather than forcing fresh output.
Test while logged out
Joomla's current Programmer Documentation states that its Page, Progressive, and Conservative administrator-controlled cache mechanisms do not cache for logged-on users. Verify the result in a guest browser session so you are testing the same caching path ordinary visitors use.
Check other caching layers if content is still stale
A Joomla cache clear cannot purge an independent CDN, reverse proxy, hosting cache, browser cache, or third-party performance extension. If stale output remains after Joomla's cache groups are cleared, identify and purge the relevant external layer rather than repeatedly deleting Joomla cache files.
Need More Help with Joomla?
Still having trouble? Open a support ticket with QuantaCade Support and we'll be happy to help where we can.
Support priority is given to QuantaCade products, services, and customers. However, we're also happy to assist fellow Joomla users with general Joomla questions and troubleshooting when possible.
QuantaCade is an independent Joomla extension developer and is not official Joomla support. Some issues involving third-party extensions, hosting environments, server configurations, or other systems outside our development control may be beyond what we're able to resolve.