Troubleshooting: Site Not Loading After Clearing Browser Cache – Technical Guide

Clearing your browser cache is a standard procedure for resolving website loading issues. However, in some cases, even after clearing the cache, you might encounter persistent problems. This technical guide delves into the intricacies of this issue and offers solutions to help you rectify it.

1. DNS Propagation:

Issue: Local DNS cache may still contain outdated records.

Solution:

• Wait for DNS propagation: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally. If you’ve made recent DNS updates, patience may be required.
• Flush Local DNS Cache (Windows): Open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the command: ipconfig /flushdns. This clears your local DNS cache.
• Flush Local DNS Cache (macOS): In Terminal, run: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache to flush the local DNS cache.

2. CDN and Caching Plugins:

Issue: Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and caching plugins can cache outdated content.

Solution:

• Clear CDN Cache: If you’re using a CDN like Cloudflare, log in to your CDN dashboard and purge the cache.
• Clear WordPress Cache: For WordPress sites with caching plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache, clear the cache from your WordPress dashboard.

3. Browser-Specific Issues:

Issue: The problem might be isolated to a specific browser.

Solution:

• Switch Browsers: If the site loads correctly in one browser but not in another, consider clearing the cache of the problematic browser or resetting it to default settings.

4. Server-Side Caching:

Issue: Server-side caching can serve stale content.

Solution:

• Clear Server-Side Cache: If your server uses caching mechanisms like Varnish or Redis, clear the cache using the hosting control panel or contact your hosting support.

5. CDN Issues:

Issue: Problems might arise from the CDN’s side.

Solution:

• Check CDN Status: Visit your CDN provider’s status page to see if there are ongoing issues or outages affecting their service.

6. Network Issues:

Issue: Network-related problems can cause site loading issues.

Solution:

• Restart Router: Occasionally, restarting your router can resolve network issues.
• Check Firewall or Security Software: Disable any security software or firewalls temporarily to check if they are blocking the site.

7. Website Errors:

Issue: Errors in your website’s code or configuration can prevent it from loading.

Solution:

• Review Error Logs: Examine your website’s error logs, usually accessible from the hosting control panel, to identify and fix any coding or configuration issues. Many times redirection added in cPanel of website coding can lead to the issue, you are required to check that as well.

8. Hosting Issues:

Issue: Hosting provider-related problems like server outages can affect site loading.

Solution:

• Contact Hosting Support: If you suspect hosting issues, get in touch with your hosting provider’s support team for assistance in diagnosing and addressing server-related problems.

In summary, when your site continues to not load after clearing the browser cache, there are various potential causes to consider. By following the technical steps outlined above and determining the specific issue at hand, you can take the necessary actions to restore your website’s functionality. If you encounter difficulties or if none of the solutions works, consider consulting with experienced web developers or your hosting provider’s technical support team for expert assistance.