What Does the ERR_CACHE_MISS Error Mean?
The “ERR_CACHE_MISS” error message indicates that Chrome attempted to load requested content, such as a web page, image, or video, but could not find that content in its browser cache.
Chrome stores frequently accessed website content, like text, images, and files, in its cache to allow faster loading of that content in the future. However, if the cached content becomes outdated, corrupted, or deleted, Chrome will be unable to find it, resulting in the ERR_CACHE_MISS error.
Key Points About the ERR_CACHE_MISS Chrome Error
- It only affects the Chrome browser, not other browsers installed on your device.
- The error usually appears when loading websites but can affect any browser content.
- It typically displays on desktop as “ERR_CACHE_MISS” and on mobile as “Webpage not available.”
- The error prevents the affected browser content from displaying or loading correctly.
- It indicates a problem finding cached content, not necessarily with the content itself.
- The issue is often temporary and can be fixed easily.
Key Takeaways
- The ERR_CACHE_MISS error indicates Chrome cannot find requested content in its browser cache.
- Potential causes include corrupted browser data, connectivity issues, problems with a website, extension conflicts, and out-of-date software.
- Solutions involve clearing the browser cache and data, checking connections, disabling extensions, updating Chrome, resetting Chrome settings, reinstalling Chrome, and troubleshooting mobile devices.
- For mobile devices, checking APN settings, resetting network settings, updating apps, reinserting the SIM card, and factory resetting can resolve the issue.
- Pinpointing the exact cause and using selective troubleshooting is key for efficiently fixing the ERR_CACHE_MISS error.
Top 10 Common Causes of the ERR_CACHE_MISS Error
The ERR_CACHE_MISS error has a range of potential causes for which to check. Here are the 10 most common reasons you may see this error:
- Corrupted Browser Cache: Damaged or outdated files in Chrome’s cache can prevent content from being retrieved correctly.
- Connectivity Issues: Problems with your internet connection, WiFi, proxy settings, or VPN can interfere with cache access.
- Website Problems: Issues on the website’s server side can result in ERR_CACHE_MISS errors.
- Outdated Browser: Using an old version of Chrome that needs updating can lead to cache errors.
- Outdated Website Content: Websites updating content without changing URLs can cause cached versions to become outdated.
- Incompatible Browser Extensions: Certain third-party extensions can corrupt the cache and cause conflicts.
- Partial Downloads: Interrupted downloads can result in incomplete cached content that errors.
- Exceeding Cache Limits: If the cache fills up, it can force out content needed by websites.
- Malware or Virus Infection: Malicious software can alter cached browser content and settings.
- Corrupted Browser Data: Damaged browser data from improper shutdowns or deletions can break the cache.
Pinpointing the specific cause will help direct troubleshooting steps, so methodically checking each potential issue is key.
10 Easy Steps to Fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS Error on Desktop Chrome
Use these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the ERR_CACHE_MISS error on the Chrome desktop browser:
- Clear the Browser Cache
- Reset Chrome Settings
- Check Connectivity
- Disable Extensions One by One
- Update Google Chrome
- Reinstall Google Chrome
- Scan for Malware
- Test in Incognito Mode
- Contact the Website Owner
- Reset Chrome Browser
Step #1 Clear the Browser Cache
- Click the 3 vertical dots to open the Chrome menu.
- Select Settings.
- Go to Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data.
- Check the boxes for “Cached images and files.”
- Choose the desired time range for data to clear.
- Click the Clear Data button.
- Restart Chrome browser
Step #2 Reset Chrome Settings
- Go to Chrome Settings again.
- Scroll down and click Advanced.
- Find and click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Restart Chrome to apply default settings.
Step #3 Check Connectivity
- Confirm your internet connection is working properly and there are no WiFi, Network, or VPN-related issues.
- Try loading the website in another browser to isolate Chrome-specific problems.
Step #4 Disable Extensions One by One
- Open the extensions manager in Chrome and disable any unnecessary extensions, especially recently added ones.
- Access the list of extensions from Chrome menu.
- Disable non-essential extensions, especially recently added.
- Restart Chrome and check if the error persists after each extension is disabled.
Step #5 Update Google Chrome
- Click Chrome menu > Help > About Google Chrome
- Check Chrome version and update if available.
- Allow auto-update to latest version.
Step #6 Reinstall Google Chrome
- Uninstall Chrome fully via control panel
- Visit google.com/chrome
- Download and reinstall the latest Chrome version.
- Can import old settings/data if needed
Step #7 Scan for Malware
- Run a full system anti-virus and anti-malware scan to check for viruses that could be causing cache issues.
- Remove any infections before restarting Chrome.
Step #8 Test in Incognito Mode
- Open an incognito window in Chrome by clicking File > New incognito window.
- Load the affected sites here to test with all extensions disabled.
If the error disappears, an extension is likely the issue. If not, something else needs to be addressed.
Step #9 Contact the Website Owner
- If you still see the error on one specific site after trying the above steps, reach out to the website owner to see if they are having server issues.
Step #10 Reset Chrome Browser
- If all else fails, navigate to Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up to fully reset Chrome and remove all data.
- This will erase your history, cookies, cache, and settings, resolving any underlying corruption.
How to Fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS Error on Mobile Chrome
For Chrome on Android or iOS devices, tailor troubleshooting to consider mobile-specific factors:
- Check Phone or WiFi Connections
- Reset Network Settings
- Clear Browser App Data
- Update Google Chrome App
- Reinsert SIM Card
- Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
- Restart Your Phone
- Remove and Re-add Google Account
- Factory Reset Device
Step 1: Check Phone or WiFi Connections
- Ensure your mobile data or WiFi connection is working properly in the location you are in.
- Try manually switching between WiFi and mobile data to rule out any connectivity issues.
Step 2: Reset Network Settings
- In your device settings, go to the network/internet settings and select reset or clear network settings.
- This will erase connectivity issues that could be interfering with Chrome.
Step: 3 Clear Browser App Data
- In your phone settings, find the Chrome app > Storage > Clear app data.
- This erases the cache along with temporary files, histories, cookies, etc.
Step 4: Update Google Chrome App
- Go to the Play Store or App Store and check if any Chrome updates are available.
- Install the latest version of the mobile Chrome app.
Step 5: Reinsert SIM Card
- Eject the SIM card for your mobile Network, wait 30 seconds, then reinsert it.
- This can reset mobile data connectivity problems.
Step 6: Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
- Turn on airplane mode for 15-30 seconds, then turn it off again to refresh the network connection.
Step 7: Restart Your Phone
- Power down your mobile device completely and restart it. This clears out any stuck processes or errors.
Step 8: Remove and Re-add Google Account
- On Android, remove your linked Google account from the device and set it up again. This sync issues.
Step 9: Factory Reset Device
- If all else fails, reset your device to factory default settings. This provides a clean slate.
- Once your device restarts, set it up again and reinstall Chrome.
A Detailed Fixes and Troubleshooting Steps
To further diagnose the ERR_CACHE_MISS issue in Chrome, follow these more advanced troubleshooting techniques:
Scan Device for Malware
Malicious software could be altering cached content or browser settings. Scan your computer or mobile device with trusted anti-virus and anti-malware tools to remove anything suspicious. This can fix cache manipulation from infections.
Test Other Browsers
See if the error occurs in other browsers like Firefox, Edge, Opera, or Safari. If unique to Chrome, it indicates a browser-specific problem versus general connectivity or website issues.
Inspect Cache Contents
Open the developer tools in Chrome and the application tab to view your current browser cache contents. Look for missing images, files, or odd filenames that could be causing issues.
Disable Caching Temporarily
Open Chrome settings and uncheck the “Use a proxy server” option under Network. This disables caching as a test. See if websites load properly when caching is turned off. If so, cached content is likely corrupted.
Clear Specific Cache Types
Rather than clearing the entire cache, selectively delete specific types, such as images, CSS files, etc. This can isolate whether one cache type is responsible for the errors.
Disable Hyperlink Previews
Go to Chrome settings > Privacy and security > Use secure DNS and toggle off “Use Hyperlink Previews.” This prevents preview images from being cached.
Try DNS Flushing
On your device, flush the DNS address cache by running the ipconfig /flushdns command on Windows or dscacheutil -flushcache on Mac. This refreshes any incorrect DNS data.
Enable DNS Over HTTPS
Navigate to Chrome settings > Security > Use secure DNS and enable DNS over HTTPS to prevent DNS-based caching issues.
Reset Chrome Flags
In the Chrome address bar, type chrome://flags to access experimental features. Click “Reset all to default” to erase any problematic modified flags.
Check Proxy Settings
Examine the proxy configuration under Chrome’s network settings. Invalid or incorrect proxy settings can disrupt caching and cause ERR_CACHE_MISS errors.
Update Network Driver
On a desktop computer, update your network adapter driver software to the latest version available. Outdated drivers can sometimes interfere with Chrome’s caching mechanisms.
Contact ISP
For persistent caching issues, contact your internet service provider to check if they are having any network problems that could affect browser caching via your connection.
Final Thoughts
The ERR_CACHE_MISS error in Chrome can certainly be annoying, but as you can see, it is usually fixable with some targeted troubleshooting and cache resets. In most cases, the browser is having trouble locating content in its cache, so steps like clearing the cache, updating Chrome, and ruling out extension conflicts will get things working again.
For persistent issues, you should dig deeper and reset Chrome settings or do a clean reinstall. With the right approach, ERR_CACHE_MISS problems don’t have to keep you from seamlessly browsing the web.
Common ERR_CACHE_MISS FAQs
Why does ERR_CACHE_MISS happen?
The ERR_CACHE_MISS error occurs when Chrome tries to load cached website content like images, CSS, or JavaScript but can’t find that specific content in its browser cache. This is usually due to corrupted, cleared, or outdated cached data.
How do I fix ERR_CACHE_MISS?
Fixes include clearing the browser cache and data, updating Chrome, checking connections, removing extensions, resetting Chrome to default settings, reinstalling Chrome, and scanning for malware. On mobile, reset network settings, check for app updates, restart your device, and reinsert SIM.
Is ERR_CACHE_MISS dangerous?
No, ERR_CACHE_MISS is not dangerous by itself. It’s just an annoyance indicating a browser caching error. As long as you don’t see the error on secure sites after entering passwords or sensitive info, it’s harmless.
Why does my Chrome say Webpage is not available?
The “Webpage not available” error on mobile Chrome is equivalent to the ERR_CACHE_MISS message on the desktop. It indicates Chrome tried loading a page from the cache but could not retrieve the cached content, preventing the page from displaying.
How do I clear my Chrome cache?
To clear your Chrome browser cache, open Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data. Select cached images and files and the time range, then click Clear Data. This will erase the current corrupt cache.
Does ERR_CACHE_MISS mean my Chrome is hacked?
Not necessarily. While malware infections can alter cached content, the ERR_CACHE_MISS error alone doesn’t mean your Chrome browser has been hacked. Run security scans just in case, but it is usually a more routine caching issue.
Why is Chrome not loading websites?
If Chrome displays the ERR_CACHE_MISS error when trying to load sites, it means the browser can’t retrieve the cached website content needed to display the page correctly. Clearing the cache and following other troubleshooting steps will typically resolve it.
Priya Mervana
Verified Web Security Experts
Priya Mervana is working at SSLInsights.com as a web security expert with over 10 years of experience writing about encryption, SSL certificates, and online privacy. She aims to make complex security topics easily understandable for everyday internet users.
