How to Clear the Cache on Your Samsung Smart TV
A simple guide to improving your TV's performance and stability.
Many users have experienced the frustration of an app crashing while watching a favourite movie or just before a major sports match. While the first instinct might be to toss the remote in frustration, there is a simple solution to try before considering a new television: clearing the cache. This process does not delete your apps, change audio-video settings, or remove your Wi-Fi password; it simply clears out temporary, redundant files that accumulate in the system over time.
Why is clearing the cache important?
Every time you use an app, your TV stores temporary data to help content load faster in the future. However, when these files accumulate, they can slow down system performance. Modern Smart TVs have limited internal storage—usually around 8 GB—with a significant portion already occupied by the operating system and pre-installed software. Consequently, periodically clearing the cache makes your TV's performance more stable and responsive.
It is worth noting that after clearing the cache, apps may load slightly slower the first time you open them, as the system needs to re-download the necessary data. This is a normal process, and you should not encounter issues during subsequent launches.
How to clear the cache on a Samsung TV
Instructions vary slightly depending on the model year of your television:
- 2020 models and newer: Go to Settings > Support > Device Care > Start Device Care. To clear the cache for a specific app, select Manage Storage, highlight the desired app, and press View Details > Clear Cache.
- 2019 models and 7-series models: Navigate to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > TV Device Manager > Clean Now.
- 2016-2018 models: These models do not support clearing the cache for individual apps directly. However, you can delete browser data by going to Settings > Broadcasting > Expert Settings > HbbTV Settings > Delete Browsing Data.
If clearing the cache does not resolve the issue, you can perform a "cold boot." To do this, press and hold the power button on the remote while the TV is on until the logo appears, or simply unplug the TV from the power source for 60 seconds. This process completely clears the temporary memory and often resolves system glitches. It is recommended to perform this procedure every few months to ensure your TV continues to operate at optimal performance.