How to fix Chrome browser ERR_CACHE_MISS error

Google Chrome is one of the most popular and reliable web browsers, but it's not without its faults. There are some common issues that you may encounter when using it, including ERR_CACHE_MISS error messages.

If you encounter this message, it is likely that the browser also asks you to re-enter or submit certain information. While this error can be confusing and frustrating, it is also completely fixable.

There are some quick and easy methods you can use to resolve this error message and successfully access the site you are trying to visit.

In this blog post, we will explain the meaning of ERR_CACHE_MISS and discuss some of its common causes. Then, we will introduce you to several methods that you can use to fix it.

What is browser cache?

Browser cache is a temporary storage location where browsers store web pages, images, and other copies of web content on your computer. When you visit a website, the browser downloads certain elements of the website and stores them in the cache. The next time you visit the same website, the browser can load these elements from the cache without having to download them again, making the page load faster.

Caching can improve the browsing experience by reducing load times and saving bandwidth. However, this cached data can sometimes lead to issues like ERR_CACHE_MISS errors, which we'll cover in more detail later.

Why is caching useful?

Caching has many benefits:

1. It helps speed up web page loading. Since the browser retrieves cached data from local storage instead of downloading it repeatedly every time a page is visited, the website loads faster.
2. Reduce bandwidth usage. By storing frequently accessed data locally, caching reduces the amount of data you need to download, which can be especially useful if you have a limited data plan or a slow internet connection.
3. Improve website and server performance. Caching helps distribute the load on the website server, increase server efficiency, and improve the overall performance of the website.
4. It allows you to access website content offline. In some cases, cached data allows you to access website content offline or with a poor internet connection.

ERR_CACHE_MISS messages in Google Chrome

From the name, it is clear that this bug is related to caching. More specifically, there can be several reasons why you are seeing this message, including:

• Your browser cannot fetch cache files from the site you are trying to visit.
• Your browser, browser settings, or browser extensions are buggy, corrupted, or inefficient.
• The website you are trying to visit has incorrect coding or PHP issues.

If you are a developer, you may encounter this message if you use the wrong code to test an app or website on Android or other operating systems.

As a user, you may encounter it when trying to access almost any website, even very popular sites like Facebook.

It's important to note that while this issue is almost exclusive to Chrome, some users have reported encountering similar issues in Firefox. More specifically, in Firefox 32 and later, the message says "Document has expired".

However, most messages include a "Confirm form resubmission" message or prompt. This usually happens when Chrome users complete or submit forms and use the back/forward button too often or too quickly.

How to fix ERR_CACHE_MISS in Chrome

Now that you know more about the meaning of ERR_CACHE_MISS, it's time to learn how to solve it. Let's take a look at ten methods you can use to fix ERR_CACHE_MISS messages in Google Chrome.

1. Reload the page

Sometimes, if you're experiencing internet connectivity issues, ERR_CACHE_MISS errors in Chrome can appear on your screen. If this is the case, simply reloading the web page is enough to fix the problem.

You can reload the page by clicking on the reload icon in the top left corner of the Chrome browser's address bar:

Alternatively, you can press the F5 key on your keyboard. If you still see the error message, it's safe to assume that your internet connection isn't the source of the problem, and now it's time to move on to the next method.

2. Restart your Chrome browser

Sometimes, simply restarting your web browser can clear the ERR_CACHE_MISS error. Restarting the Chrome browser can refresh the session and resolve any temporary issues that may be causing the error. Follow these steps to restart your Chrome browser:

1. Close tabs and windows. Make sure to save important work first.
2. Sign out of your Chrome browser.
   • On Windows: Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser and select Exit.
   • On Mac: Click on the Chrome browser in the top menu bar and select Sign out of Google Chrome.
3. Reopen your Chrome browser. After closing the Chrome browser, wait a few seconds and then reopen the browser. Tap the Chrome icon on your desktop or in your apps folder.
4. Resume previous sessions (optional). If you have important tabs open, you can restore a previous session:
   • On Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + T to reopen the last closed tab.
   • On Mac: Press Command + Shift + T to reopen the last closed tab.

3. Update your browser

If you're using an older or outdated version of Chrome, upgrading to the latest version is a smart idea. This helps eliminate any incompabilities or inefficiencies that may be causing ERR_CACHE_MISS error messages.

To update your browser, open a new window and navigate to Settings > About Chrome:

About Chrome

On this page, you will see if you are using the latest version of your browser. If not, there will be an option to update Chrome.

Follow the prompts, then restart your browser and try to access the webpage again.

4. Clear browser data

If your browser has accumulated corrupted files in its cache, it can cause the error message you see now. Therefore, the next step you should take while trying to fix the problem is to clear your browser data.

To do this, go back to the Chrome settings menu. Hover over "More tools" and in the menu panel that opens, select "Clear browsing data":

Clear Chrome browser data

In the window that follows, make sure all three options (browsing history, cookies and other site data, and cached images and files) are selected. Click the Clear Data button:

Chrome Clear Data option

After clearing your data, refresh your browser.

Hopefully, you won't see ERR_CACHE_MISS message again. If you do, it's time to use the next method.

5. Disable browser extensions

Another potential issue that can cause ERR_CACHE_MISS error is that one of the extensions you installed is corrupted or interferes with Chrome's ability to connect and load web pages.

To determine if this is the problem, the best course of action is to disable all browser extensions.

To find these, go to your Chrome settings, hover over the More tools option, and select Extensions:

Google Chrome extension

This will take you to the Extensions page, where you can view any and all of your installed extensions. Go through them one by one and disable options for each toggle:

Option to disable Chrome extensions

We recommend starting with any ad-blocking extensions, as these are likely to be the culprits. Try refreshing your browser after disabling each extension to see if the error resolves itself.

If so, you will be able to pinpoint (and remove) the extension in question. If not, your extension probably shouldn't be blamed.

6. Refresh the DNS cache and reset the DNS settings

Refreshing the DNS (Domain Name System) cache can help resolve ERR_CACHE_MISS errors by purging outdated or corrupted DNS data that can cause connection issues. This process forces the computer to update the DNS information so that it can connect to the correct URL. Here's how to refresh DNS cache on different operating systems.

On Windows

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, then type cmd and press Enter to open the command prompt.
2. Run the refresh DNS command. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press OK:ipconfig/flushdns
3. Reset DNS settings. While the command prompt is running, type the following command and press OK: netsh int ip reset
4. Restart your computer. This will force the change to take effect.
5. Test page. Check if the ERR_CACHE_MISS error still appears.

Command Prompt in Windows

With the Command Prompt window open, type the following and press Enter after each line:

ipconfig/release

ipconfig/all

ipconfig/flushdns

ipconfig/renew

netsh int ip set dns

netsh winsock reset

ipconfig renew

ipconfig renew

On macOS, you can do this through the Terminal app. Navigate to the Finder > App > Utility: 

The Applications folder on macOS

Once you open the Utilities folder, locate and open the Terminal application:

macOS terminal app in the Utilities folder

In the Terminal window, enter the following command and press Enter after each command:

Restart your computer and open a new browser window. Your network settings will revert to their default values, which will hopefully allow you to no longer see the "ERR_CACHE_MISS" error.

9. Reset your browser settings

If your network settings are not the problem, the problem may be with your browser settings. So, the next logical step is to reset these settings.

To do this, go to Settings, then Advanced > Reset settings:

Chrome advanced settings

A prompt window opens. Click on the "Reset" option again:

Reset settings in Chrome

You can also visit the Reset Settings page by going to the Visit page.chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings

Finally, restart your browser and try to access the webpage again. Hopefully, you won't see the "ERR_CACHE_MISS" message again. However, if you do, it's time to move on to the last method.

10. Disable the caching system

With this, you can hopefully resolve ERR_CACHE_MISS error messages in Chrome. If not, you can try the last solution to fix the problem: disable the caching system.

Doing so requires you to use Chrome's DevTools. These can be found in your browser's settings, under More Tools > Developer Tools. Be sure to open DevTools on the browser page that displays the error message.

Then, under the Network section, select the Disable Cache option:

Disable Chrome cache

Once selected, reload the page. You should no longer see ERR_CACHE_MISS message.

Frequently Asked Questions About ERR_CACHE_MISS Errors

Will clearing the cache delete my stored passwords and other data?

Clearing cache and browser data deletes temporary files, cache images, and cookies, but does not delete stored passwords or autofill information unless you specifically selected these options when clearing your data.

How to prevent ERR_CACHE_MISS errors?

To minimize the chances of encountering ERR_CACHE_MISS errors, keep your browser and extensions up to date, clear your cache regularly, and ensure a stable internet connection.

Are ERR_CACHE_MISS errors specific to Google Chrome?

While the ERR_CACHE_MISS error is specific to Google Chrome, other browsers can experience similar issues, just with different error messages. The root cause and solution are more or less the same across browsers.

What should I do if the ERR_CACHE_MISS error persists?

If the error persists after trying all the solutions suggested in this article, consider checking for network issues, contacting your internet service provider, or seeking professional assistance. Developers should check their website's form handling and caching practices to ensure they are not causing the error.

How do I report a ERR_CACHE_MISS error to a webmaster?

If you encounter a ERR_CACHE_MISS error on a specific website, you can report it to the site administrator. Provide detailed information about the error, including the steps you took before encountering it, the browser and version you used, and any error information you received. This information can help administrators diagnose and resolve the issue.

Summary

There can be several reasons why you see ERR_CACHE_MISS error message in Google Chrome. Whether it's due to a problematic extension, outdated browser or network settings, or a temporary connection issue, the good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to resolve this issue.

As we have discussed in this article, there are ten methods you can use to fix ERR_CACHE_MISS errors in Chrome. Hope it solves the problem you are experiencing!