Web Browser Tools

Clearing Cache
Most web browsers are set to store images and other aspects of a website locally in order to load pages faster with each subsequent visit. Because of this, the browser may display an outdated version of a website when you need to see the new version. In most cases, this can be resolved by pressing the Refresh button on the toolbar (or pressing F5). In some cases, one needs to delete the cache of the web browser and then reload/refresh the page to get the latest version of the web site. Different web browsers have different ways to delete the cache. Find your browser below for instructions.

Clearing Cookies
Cookies are used all over the internet to help keep track of certain information. In the Qualtrics Research Suite, we use them in various situations, such as remembering a user’s session when accessing the tool or remembering where a respondent left off in a survey when using a generic survey link. Occasionally, there is need to clear out the cookies either because the cookies were stored incorrectly or there is a conflict. Different web browsers have different ways to delete the cookies. Find your browser below for instructions.

Most functions within the Qualtrics Research Suite require JavaScript to be enabled. These include functions needed to build a survey and functions needed to take a survey (though if JavaScript is not enabled when taking a survey, one can still continue). Different web browsers have different ways to enable JavaScript. Find your browser below for instructions.

Most browsers have the ability to have toolbars and other add-ons installed on them to add certain functionality. Occasionally, these add-ons can conflict with how a browser functions or how a page loads, and can affect a user’s experience when using the Qualtrics Research Suite or taking a survey. A great way to find out if a toolbar or other add-on is conflicting with your experience is to restart the web browser in safe mode, which runs it without any add-ons. Different web browsers have different ways to start in safe mode. Find your browser below for instructions.

Deleting Cache: Tools (Gear icon at top right of browser) -> Internet Options -> on General tab, click “Delete” under Browsing History -> Make sure “Temporary Internet files” is selected -> click Delete.
Cookies: Tools (Gear icon top right of browser) -> Internet Options -> on General tab, click “Delete” under Browsing History -> Make sure “Cookies” is selected -> click Delete.
Enabling Javascript: Tools (Gear button) -> Internet Options -> Security (tab) -> select Internet zone -> click Custom Level -> scroll down near end of settings, click “Enable” under “Active Scripting”.
Running in Safe Mode: Click Windows’ Start button -> type “Internet Explorer” (in Start Search) -> select “Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).”

Deleting Cache: Tools -> Internet Options -> General (tab) -> “Delete…” in Browsing history section -> Press “Delete” button.
Cookies: Cookies can also be removed using the above instructions by checking the box for “Cookies” and clicking the Delete button.
Enabling JavaScript: Tools -> Internet Options -> Security (tab) -> Custom Level (button) -> Scripting (scroll almost completely to bottom of window) -> Active Scripting -> Enable.
Be sure to Refresh the page to continue.
Running in Safe Mode: Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons).

Deleting Cache: Tools -> Internet Options -> General (tab) -> “Delete…” in Browsing history section -> Under “Temporary Internet Files” click “Delete files…” button -> Yes.
Cookies: Cookies can also be removed by clicking “Delete Cookies” button in Cookies section.
Enabling JavaScript: Tools -> Internet Options -> Security (tab) -> Custom Level (button) -> Scripting (scroll almost completely to bottom of window) -> Active Scripting -> Enable.
Be sure to Refresh the page to continue.
Running in Safe Mode: Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons).

Deleting Cache: Tools -> Internet Options -> General (tab) -> “Delete Files…” button -> OK (May need to check box to delete all offline content).
Cookies: Cookies can also be removed by clicking “Delete Cookies” button on General tab.
Enabling JavaScript: Tools -> Internet Options -> Security (tab) -> Custom Level (button) -> Scripting (scroll almost completely to bottom of window) -> Active Scripting -> Enable.
Be sure to Refresh the page to continue.
Running in Safe Mode: IE6 does not have a Safe Mode option.
Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons).

Firefox online help.

Deleting Cache:

• PC: Firefox menu -> History -> Clear Recent History -> Change menu at top to “Everything” -> make sure Cache is selected (may need to expand Details menu) -> click “Clear Now” button.
• Mac: Tools -> Clear Recent History -> Change menu at top to “Everything” -> make sure “Cache” is selected” (may need to expand Details menu) -> click “Clear Now” button.

Cookies:

• PC: Firefox menu -> History -> Clear Recent History -> Change menu at top to “Everything” -> make sure “Cookies” is selected (may need to expand Details menu) -> click “Clear Now” button.
• Mac: Tools -> Clear Recent History -> Change menu at top to “Everything” -> make sure “Cookies” is selected” (may need to expand Details menu) -> click “Clear Now” button.

Enabling JavaScript:

• PC: Firefox menu -> click Options -> Content -> select Enable JavaScript -> click OK -> refresh page.
• Mac: Firefox menu -> Preferences -> Content -> select Enable JavaScript -> Close Preferences window -> Refresh page.

Running in Safe Mode:

• PC: Open Firefox -> click Firefox menu -> Help -> Restart Firefox with Add-ons Disabled -> click Restart.
• Mac: Help -> Restart Firefox with Add-ons Disabled -> click Restart.

Safari online help.

Deleting Cache: Safari menu (Mac) / Edit menu (PC) -> Preferences -> Privacy (tab) -> Remove All Website Data button -> Remove Now.
Cookies: Safari menu (Mac) / Edit menu (PC) -> Preferences -> Privacy (tab) -> Remove All Website Data button -> Remove Now.
Enabling JavaScript: Safari menu (Mac)/Edit or gear button (PC) -> Preferences -> Security -> Enable JavaScript -> refresh page.
Running in Safe Mode: 

1. To start up into Safe Mode (to Safe Boot), be sure the computer is shut down (if not, shut it down).
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.
4. Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
   • During startup in Mac OS X v10.4 or later, you will see “Safe Boot” on the login window, which appears even if you normally log in automatically.
   • During startup in Mac OS X v10.2 through v10.3.9, you will see “Safe Boot” on the Mac OS X startup screen.
   • To leave Safe Mode in any version of Mac OS X, restart the computer normally, without holding any keys during startup.

Deleting Cache: Tools (Wrench icon, top right) -> Preferences/Options -> Under the Hood -> Clear browsing data -> Make sure only “Empty the cache” is selected -> click Clear Browsing Data (change the time frame if needed using the checkbox).
Cookies: Tools (Wrench icon, top right) -> Preferences/Options -> Under the Hood -> Clear browsing data -> Make sure only “Delete cookies” is selected -> click Clear Browsing Data (change the time frame if needed using the checkbox).
Enabling JavaScript: Tools (Wrench icon, top right) -> Preferences/Options -> Under the Hood -> Content Settings -> select “Allow sites to run JavaScript” under JavaScript area -> close Preferences tab -> restart page.
To disable: Tools (Wrench icon, top right) -> Preferences/Options -> Under the Hood -> Content Settings -> select “Tools (Wrench icon, top right) -> Preferences/Options -> Under the Hood -> Content Settings -> select “Do not allow any site to run JavaScript” under JavaScript area -> close Preferences tab -> restart page.”
Running in Safe Mode: Tools (Wrench icon, top right) -> Preferences/Options -> Under the Hood -> Content Settings -> select “Block all” under Plug-ins area -> close Preferences tab -> restart browser.