When you update your site, Cloudflare’s edge cache can still serve the old version to visitors-frustrating for you and confusing for them. In this quick guide you’ll learn how to clear that cache in under a minute so every change you publish appears instantly, everywhere.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which buttons to click (and which warnings to heed) to purge Cloudflare’s cache with confidence-no technical jargon, no downtime, just fresh content for your users.
- Open Cloudflare Caching settings
- Click Purge Everything
- Confirm the purge
- Verify cache is cleared
Step-by-step walkthrough
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Open Caching settings
Navigate to the Caching section in the left sidebar so you can manage how your site stores and serves content.
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Click Purge Everything
Hit the Purge Everything button to clear all cached files from Cloudflare. This makes sure visitors see the newest version of your site.
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Click Purge Everything
Click the red Purge Everything button to clear all cached files. This makes sure visitors see the newest version of your site.
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Cache cleared
Your cache is now empty. New site changes will show in under 5 seconds.
Pro Tips
- Purge single files first-faster than a full cache wipe if you only tweaked a page or two.
- Enable “Development Mode” while editing to bypass cache entirely and see changes live.
- Set Browser Cache TTL to “Respect Existing Headers” so your origin controls refresh rules.
- Schedule a weekly purge via Cloudflare API to keep stale assets from lingering.
FAQ
- How long does a Cloudflare purge take to finish?
- Most purges finish worldwide in under 30 seconds; you’ll see a green banner the moment it’s done. If you still spot stale content after a minute, hard-refresh your browser or check the specific URL with
?nocache=1to be sure. - Will purging everything slow down my site?
- The first visitor to each location may notice an extra second or two while Cloudflare fetches fresh files, but global traffic quickly rebuilds the cache and speeds return to normal-no permanent slowdown.
- Can I undo a purge?
- No undo button exists; once purged, the cache is empty. If you need the old assets back, re-upload them to your origin and purge again, or wait for normal TTL re-caching.
You’re all set-your Cloudflare cache is now clear and every visitor sees the freshest version of your site. Keep the quick purge steps handy and you’ll never wrestle with stale content again.
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