We all have experienced those frustrating moments when our TV lags or buffers just when we’re about to watch our favorite show.
In fact, the sluggish performance of the TV over time has been a recurrent issue among Samsung TV owners.
I have dealt with it several times and found my way out – and I want to share this knowledge with you.
Most of the time, it only takes cache clearing to get the TV running flawlessly. I’m going to show you the ways to clear the cache on your Samsung TV, a simple yet effective solution that can remarkably enhance your viewing experience.
The Clever Fix:
The exact steps may vary depending on your TV model, but generally, you can find the cache clearing option under the Support or Device Care section of the Settings menu.
Why would you want to clear the cache on Samsung TV?
Clearing cache helps improve the TV’s performance, stability, picture quality, and storage space.
It’s a simple and effective way to keep your TV running smoothly and ensure you get the best viewing experience possible.
Naturally, you would want to clear cache especially when your Samsung TV has been running slower than usual or you’re experiencing some problems, such as streaming services issues like Netflix or HBO keeps crashing or freezing.
In such cases, clearing the cache is a good first step to try before taking more drastic measures.
If you’ve been receiving a storage full notification, then that’s when you can also perform cache clearing.
Samsung TVs have limited storage space, and if you use a lot of apps, the cache can quickly take up a significant amount of space.
Clearing the cache can help free up storage space and prevent your TV from running out of space.
How often should I clear the cache on my Samsung TV?
There is no set rule for how often you should clear the cache on your Samsung TV.
It is generally a good idea to do so if you notice any performance issues or if you are running low on storage space.
However, we recommend clearing your Samsung TV’s cache at least once a month for optimal performance. If you have a bunch of apps on your TV, you might want to clear the cache more often.
Will clearing the cache on my Samsung TV delete any important data?
It’s understandable to assume that your important data and settings might be wiped out since it’s “clearing” cache.
But here’s the good news – it won’t. Your crucial data is safe.
Remember that clearing the cache will not delete any personal data or settings on your Samsung TV. It simply removes temporary data that is no longer needed.
You could lose your login details and saved preferences, so be sure to take note of that.
Ways to clear cache on Samsung TV
There are different ways to get rid of cache.
Method 1: App-specific cache clearing
Follow the procedure suitable to your Samsung TV model.
2020 models and above
- Press the Home button on your remote control.
- Go to Settings > All Settings > Support > Device Care > Manage Storage.
- Find and highlight the app you want to clear cache.
- Select View Details > Clear Cache.
2019 models
- Press the Home button on your remote control.
- Go to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > TV Device Manager.
- Find and highlight the app you want to clear cache.
- Select View Details > Clear Cache.
7 Series TV
- Press the Home button on your remote control.
- Go to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > TV Device Manager > Manage Storage
- Find and highlight the app you want to clear cache.
- Select Clear Cache.
Samsung S/TL/Q TV Models
- Press the Home button on your remote control.
- Go to Settings > Broadcasting > Expert Settings > HbbTV Settings > Clear Browsing Data > Yes.
Method 2: Cache clear all apps at once
This method comes in handy when all your apps are acting up.
You can only clear the cache of all apps at once using the Device Care option on your TV.
Device Care is a comprehensive feature designed to keep your Samsung device running smoothly.
It helps manage your storage by showing what’s eating up space on your device. It can even suggest files for deletion, such as cached, residual, and ad files, to free up storage.
Here’s how to clear cache through Device Care:
- Press the Home button on your remote control.
- Go to Settings > Support > Device Care.
- Start the Device Care option.
The cache clearing process begins when you see the message, “Free up memory by clearing cached memory” in progress.
Just hang tight until Device Care completes its job.
Method 3: Cache clearing by reinstalling the app
This is a different kind of cache clearing.
I usually resort to this when an app fails to launch due to some error, and I have a bit more time to spare for a slightly longer process than the usual cache clearing.
With this method, you’re guaranteed to clear all cache, and it gives you a fresh start with the app.
So, if you’re reinstalling apps like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, remember to have your login details handy as you’ll need to re-enter them after the reinstallation.
Here’s how to clear the cache by reinstalling an app:
- Press the Home button on your remote control.
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Select the app whose cache you want to clear.
- Select Uninstall and confirm.
- Go to the app store and reinstall the app.
After reinstalling, check the app if it’s working great again.
Does Clearing Cache Improve Screen Mirroring?
You might be wondering if clearing cache could also enhance the performance of screen mirroring since it doesn’t run on an app.
The answer is a definite yes, clearing the cache can indeed spruce up the screen mirroring performance.
When you utilize screen mirroring, your TV essentially replicates the display of another device like a smartphone or tablet.
This operation demands a bulk of data transfer between devices, which can lead to an overfilled cache.
By clearing the cache, you make room for new data and improve the screen mirroring process.
Apart from boosting the performance, clearing cache may also iron out any glitches you’re dealing with during screen mirroring, such as lag or buffering.
It’s worth mentioning that though clearing cache can help, it might not completely fix all screen mirroring issues. However, it’s a good place to start.
Troubleshooting: What to do when cache clearing fails
Keep in mind, clearing the cache is just one part of the problem-solving process for your Samsung TV. If you’re still experiencing issues, don’t hesitate to explore other options for resolving the problem.
Always start with a basic TV restart.
If restarting your TV doesn’t work, you may need to reset your TV to its factory settings.
Keep in mind that resetting your TV will erase all of your settings and preferences, so be sure to back up any important data before doing so.
To reset your TV, go to the Settings > General > Reset.
For older models, go to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset.
If resetting your TV doesn’t work, it’s also possible that the problem you’re experiencing is not related to the cache at all.
You may need to contact Samsung customer service for further assistance.
They can help you diagnose the issue and provide additional troubleshooting steps.
If you prefer a voice conversation, give them a call at 1-800-726-7864. They’re available from 8 AM to 12 AM (EST) all seven days a week.
Additional ways to free up some space
Clearing cookies and browsing data on your Samsung TV can also help in freeing up some space in your TV.
Let me give you a quick idea on what these are.
Cookies are small data files from websites that save user-specific preferences and track activity to personalize your online experience.
Meanwhile, browsing data refers to information related to your internet use, including sites you’ve visited, your download history, and form inputs.
While cookies and browsing data cater to personalization, cache enhances website load speed.
Though cookies and browsing data take up much less space compared to cache, they can still accumulate over time if not regularly cleared.
To clear cookies on your Samsung TV, follow these steps:
- Press the Home button on your remote control.
- Navigate to Settings > Broadcasting > HbbTV Settings > Delete Browsing Data.
- Choose Cookies and confirm that you want to delete cookies.
To clear browsing data on your Samsung TV, follow these steps:
- Press the Home button on your remote control.
- Navigate to Settings > Broadcasting > Expert Settings > HbbTV Settings > Delete Browsing Data.
- Select Browsing Data and choose the types of data you want to delete, such as browsing history and cached images and files.
- Confirm that you want to delete browsing data.
Keep in mind that clearing cookies and browsing data will sign you out of any websites you’re currently logged into, meaning you’ll have to sign back in after clearing your data.
Wrapping up
Clearing the cache on your Samsung TV is an important task that should be done regularly to maintain optimal performance and keep your TV running smoothly.
A cache buildup can cause your TV to slow down, freeze, or even crash.
By clearing the cache, you can free up space and improve the performance of your TV.
Here are the ways to clear the cache:
- Method 1: App-specific cache clearing
- Method 2: Cache clear all apps at once
- Method 3: Cache clearing by reinstalling the app
You can also clear the cookies and browsing data in addition to clearing the cache to free up more space.