How to Fix ERR_CACHE_MISS Error in Google Chrome (10 Ways)
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ERR_CACHE_MISS in Google Chrome is a common error that can disturb your workflow. It indicates a caching problem, specifically when the browser cannot obtain cache files from a website. There are several triggers for this Chrome error, and understanding their impact helps tackle the error effectively.
In this guide, we will explore what browser cache is and why it may trigger the error. We’ll also walk you through 10 effective methods to resolve the ERR_CACHE_MISS error. Read on to learn how to get your browser back on track.
When you visit a webpage, the browser checks its cache for the requested resources and retrieves them locally if available. This caching mechanism allows for faster browsing and more efficient use of network resources.
Browser caches can become corrupted or outdated over time, leading to various issues. For example, the frustrating Chrome error “This site can’t be reached” or the ERR_CACHE_MISS error.
Clearing browser data may help resolve many problems by removing corrupted files. It allows the browser to fetch fresh copies of resources from the web server.
The exact error message that appears is typically displayed as follows:
“Confirm Form Resubmission ERR_CACHE_MISS”
Let’s say you are filling out an online registration form on a web page using Google Chrome. You enter all the necessary information – your name, email address, and other required details. After submitting the form, you realize you missed a required field or want to review the information you entered.
If you decide to click the back button to go back to the form and make changes, you may encounter the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error. Typically, the browser caches the data you entered and tries to retrieve it from the cache. However, if the Chrome browser is unable to fetch it, you’ll see the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error message.
Triggers of the ERR_CACHE_MISS error
There are several primary triggers that cause the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error message in Chrome. In this section, we’ll outline each one and provide a bit more detail, so read on.
Cache conflict
In some cases, conflicts or inconsistencies with the cache files stored on your computer may occur. That happens if the cache is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with the current version of the website you’re visiting.
Suppose you often visit a news website that frequently updates its content. After some time, the cache data stored on your computer for that website becomes outdated or incompatible with the site’s current version.
When you try to access the updated content, the browser attempts to fetch the cache files but finds them inconsistent or incompatible. That triggers the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error, as the browser cannot retrieve the required cache files to display the updated content.
Extension interference
Google Chrome extensions are additional software programs that enhance the browser’s functionality. However, specific browser extensions can interfere with the caching process, leading to the Chrome caching error.
Consequently, this triggers the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error, indicating that the cache files could not be accessed due to the extension’s interference.
Google Chrome extensions that manipulate network requests, modify headers or alter browser behavior might disrupt the cache retrieval process. If a particular extension is causing conflicts, disabling or updating it can help resolve the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error.
Network connectivity issues
Network connectivity problems can also trigger the error. Let’s say you are browsing a website on Google Chrome. Suddenly, your internet connection becomes unstable due to a network outage or poor signal strength. When you try to access a resource on the website, the browser is unable to retrieve the necessary cache due to the interrupted network connection.
In such cases, the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error notifies you that the browser couldn’t fetch the required resources due to network issues. It’s advisable to ensure a stable internet connection or try accessing the website from a different network to determine if connectivity is the root cause.
10 Proven Methods to Fix ERR_CACHE_MISS in Chrome
1. Refresh the page
A simple yet effective method to resolve the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error in Chrome is to refresh your browser window. This error states that the browser could not fetch the necessary cache for the website. By refreshing the page, you give Chrome another chance to retrieve the cached resources correctly.
Refresh your browser window by using the Command + R keys on your Mac keyboard or Ctrl + R key on Windows. Alternatively, you can use the designated Chrome browser button “Reload the page.”
Give Chrome a moment to reload the web page. It will attempt to fetch the required cache files again. Check if the error is resolved: after the page refreshes, observe if the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error is still there.
2. Restart Google Chrome
Sometimes, temporary glitches or issues within the browser itself can cause the error. If reloading the page did not fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS, your next step is to restart Chrome.
Follow the steps below to hard-restart your Chrome web browser.
- Close Chrome. Ensure all Chrome windows and tabs are closed, and click the ‘X’ button at the top right corner.
- Wait a few seconds to allow Chrome to close all its processes.
- Restart Chrome.
- Revisit the website and check if the error is resolved.
If the Chrome error persists, proceed with the next troubleshooting steps.
3. Delete Google Chrome Browsing Data
Deleting browsing data in Google Chrome can help resolve the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ by clearing out potentially corrupted or outdated cache files. Browsing data includes cookies, cached images, and browsing history that Chrome stores. Removing this data can eliminate any conflicts or issues related to the cache, allowing Chrome to fetch fresh and accurate data from the web.
To clear the browser cache in Chrome, follow the steps below.
- Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the Chrome window. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings.”
- On the Chrome Settings page, scroll down and click “Privacy and security” in the left sidebar.
- Click on “Clear browsing data.” That opens a new window with options to delete specific data types.
- Choose the time range and select specific data types like cookies, cached images, and files. Then click the “Clear data” button, and Chrome will flush the selected cache types.
- Close and reload Chrome to ensure the changes take effect.
NOTE: You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + Return (on Mac) or Control + Shift + Delete (on Windows) to quickly open the Clear browsing data window.
If you are browsing the web with a smartphone, check out our guides on how to clear the Google Chrome cache on other devices.
If the cache error persists, move on to the next method.
4. Disable your Google Chrome Browser Extensions
Disabling browser extensions allows you to troubleshoot the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error by identifying and resolving any conflicts caused by specific add-ons. Thus, try temporarily disabling extensions in your Chrome browser to see if that’s the case.
Disable Chrome extensions by following the steps below.
- Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu icon. Hover over “More tools” and select “Extensions.”
- Toggle off the switch next to each extension on the list with installed extensions or click the “Remove” button to uninstall it.
- After disabling the extensions, restart Chrome to check if that has resolved the cache error.
- To identify the specific extension causing the error, enable the disabled extensions one by one. After enabling each extension, revisit the problematic webpage to see if the error reoccurs. That lets you pinpoint the extension responsible for the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ issue.
- Remove or update the problematic extension.
If you still see the error, the issue may be related to your Chrome settings. Keep reading to learn how to reset them.
5. Reset Google Chrome Settings
Resetting Google Chrome settings can effectively resolve the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error when other methods have failed. Thus, you must reset Chrome settings to restore the browser to its default state, eliminating any customizations, preferences, or misconfigurations that could be causing the error.
NOTE: Resetting Chrome settings will remove bookmarks, history, saved passwords, and other personalized data for your Chrome user. Make sure to back up any important information before proceeding.
Follow the steps below to reset Google Chrome settings.
- Open your Chrome Settings page.
- In the Chrome settings page, hit the Reset settings option from the left sidebar.
- Click “Restore settings to their original defaults” and confirm by hitting the Reset settings button on the pop-up.
- Reload Chrome and check if the ERR_CACHE_MISS message is still displayed.
6. Try Disabling your Cache System
The “ERR_CACHE_MISS” message may be related to issues with Chrome’s caching system. The cache system in Chrome stores temporary copies of web resources, and if any of these cached files become corrupted or outdated, it can lead to the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error.
Therefore, try to disable the cache to see if that solves the error.
- Open Chrome and right-click on any part of a page to select Inspect. That will load the Chrome DevTools panel.
- Click on the Network tab and check the Disable cache box. This option ensures that Chrome bypasses the cache and retrieves fresh content for each request.
- Refresh the page using F5 for Windows or Cmd + R key for MacOS.
- Check if the error still persists.
7. Update your Browser with the latest version available
An outdated browser can cause “ERR_CACHE_MISS’ due to compatibility issues, bugs, or other vulnerabilities. Updating Chrome to the latest version ensures better compatibility, bug fixes, performance improvements, and enhanced security measures.
Follow the steps below to update Chrome to check if that will fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS for you.
- Open the Chrome browser’s Settings page.
- Hit “About Chrome” from the left sidebar.
- Chrome will automatically check for available updates. If an update is available, it will begin downloading and installing it automatically.
- Relaunch Chrome to check whether the ERR_CACHE_MISS message is gone.
If none of the methods have helped fix the error, you can proceed with flushing your local DNS cache.
8. Flush your DNS cache and reset DNS settings
Flushing your DNS cache and resetting your DNS settings can help resolve the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error by clearing any DNS-related issues. Every computer collects DNS caches for the websites you visit to serve them faster to you.
However, if the DNS data for a website has changed, your local DNS records may be outdated. While the new data is propagating, your computer may be unable to fetch the proper site DNS. Hence, to force your computer to do a new DNS lookup – flush your local DNS cache and reset the settings of your DNS server.
Keep reading to find out how to flush your OS DNS cache and reset your DNS settings.
Clear Windows DNS cache and reset DNS settings
- Load the Search bar and type “cmd.”
- Run the Command Prompt app as an administrator.
- Allow Windows Command Prompt to make changes on your device by clicking “Yes” on the pop-up that comes up.
- Type “ipconfig /flushdns” command and hit Enter to execute it.
ipconfig /flushdns
- While the Command prompt is running, type the following command to reset your DNS settings and hit Enter. This command resets the IP configuration and DNS settings on your computer.
netsh int ip reset
- Restart your computer so the changes can take effect.
- Check if the cache error is resolved.
Flush MacOS DNS cache and reset DNS settings
You can use the Terminal app to clear the DNS cache on a Mac computer by following the steps below.
- Launch the Spotlight Search on your Mac with Command + Space keys or find it in the Utilities folder.
- Type Terminal and click on the first suggestion.
- On the Terminal window, type “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache” command and hit Enter.
- Enter your administrator password and press Enter to execute the command and flush your Mac’s DNS cache.
- To reset your Mac’s DNS settings, type “sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder” and hit Enter.
- Restart your computer so the changes can take effect.
If flushing the cache or resetting settings did not fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS, it may be time to check the state of your internet connection.
9. Troubleshoot Your Internet Connection
The ‘NET::ERR_CACHE_MISS’ in your Google Chrome browser could be due to issues with your internet connection. Thus, start with the standard steps for troubleshooting your internet connection. First, check if you are properly connected to the internet and restart your network router device.
Power cycling your router and modem can resolve common connectivity issues, but if all seems OK with it, run the built-in Windows Network Troubleshooter.
The Internet Connections Troubleshooter in Windows can automatically detect and fix common network issues. To run it, open the Settings app by clicking the Windows icon on your desktop.
Enter the “Network > Internet” menu, and select the “Status” tab. Scroll on the window’s right side and click “Network troubleshooter” under the “Network status” section.
Windows provides on-screen instructions to diagnose and resolve any detected issues with the troubleshooter. Follow them to detect problems with your network adapters that could potentially cause ERR_CACHE_MISS.
10. Change or Refresh your Network Settings
If you are still experiencing the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error in Google Chrome, try changing or refreshing your network settings.
Here are the steps to change or refresh your network settings.
For Windows users
- Launch the Command prompt app as an administrator.
- When asked to allow Command Prompt to make changes to your computer, select “Yes.”
- Open the Command Prompt app.
- Type the command netsh winsock reset, then press Enter.
netsh winsock reset
- Restart your computer to apply the changes fully.
For Mac users
Mac users can easily reset their Network settings from System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi.
Click on the three dots menu next to your active network and select Forget this network. Then add your network details again.
That will reset your Mac’s network settings and fix any previous misconfigurations that might have caused an ERR_CACHE_MISS.
Wrap up
To wrap it up, the ERR_CACHE_MISS in Chrome is a standard browser cache error that can occur on just about any website. It indicates your browser can’t obtain the necessary cache to load a web page or other site data.
The error occurs due to cache conflicts, network connection issues, or browser extension interference. Using the 10 proven methods outlined in this guide, you can fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS error and return to uninterrupted browsing.