A refresh may refer to any of the following:
In general, refresh is a way of describing reloading or updating what is being displayed or stored. For example, if you are on a web page, refreshing the page displays the most recent content published on that page. Essentially, you’re asking the site to send your computer the newest version of the page you’re viewing.
The refresh button, also known as the refresh option, is a function of all Internet browsers. It is used to ask the browser to send you the most updated version of the page you’re viewing. See the browser page for additional information about this term and related links.
How to refresh
Microsoft Windows computer
On a Windows-based computer, pressing F5 or Ctrl+R refreshes a web page on all popular browsers (i.e., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Internet Explorer). Sometimes, these actions are called the refresh key or key combination. In most browsers, there’s also a refresh icon, an arrow that forms a circle. It is usually located to the left of the address bar.
- Microsoft Windows computer
- Apple Mac computer
- Chromebook
- Smartphone, cell phone, and tablet
Apple Mac computer
On a Mac, pressing Command+R refreshes the page you are currently viewing.
Pressing the F5 function key can act as a keyboard shortcut to refresh the Windows desktop screen.
Chromebook
On a Chromebook, pressing the shortcut key Ctrl+R refreshes the page you are currently viewing. There’s also a dedicated refresh button on the top row of keys on every Chromebook. It looks like a circular arrow, similar to the icon in an Internet browser.
Smartphone, cell phone, and tablet
To refresh the page on a smartphone (e.g., Apple iPhone or an Android), cell phone, or tablet, follow the steps below for your phone operating system and browser.
Safari on Apple iPhone
Scroll up until the address bar is visible. Tap the refresh symbol () on the right side of the address bar.
Google Chrome on Android and iPhone
While in the browser, scroll to the top of the page by swiping your finger down. Once at the top, swipe down slowly without releasing your finger from the screen when you see a refresh option. Then release your finger from the screen to refresh the page.
Other browsers and apps
Versions of Chrome with a “+” (new tab) and “x” (close tab) next to refresh are accessed by moving your finger to the left or right.
While in the app or browser, scroll to the top of the page by swiping your finger down. At the top, swipe down slowly without releasing your finger from the screen until a refresh icon appears or the screen changes. Once seen, release your finger from the screen.
How do I know if a page is refreshed?
After following the steps above, you should notice a flicker or the page re-appearing as if it was loading for the first time. If you’re updating a web page or expecting changes, you should see those changes upon refreshing the page.
What is a “force reload” or “hard refresh”?
There are some situations where a refresh does not update everything on a web page. In this situation, you can perform a force reload or hard refresh by pressing Ctrl+F5 to pull all content from the server hosting the web page.
What if refresh still doesn’t work after doing the steps above?
If refresh is still not loading the latest version of a web page, you might be viewing a remotely cached version of the site. For example, CDN services cache static content, such as images and web pages. It is also possible that a network proxy or your ISP is caching all or part of a web page. If refreshing the page is not loading the latest version of a web page, try the following steps.
Clear your browser history.
How to clear Internet browser history.
See if the same web page loads properly in a different browser.
Try resetting the router by unplugging the power, waiting 5 to 10 seconds, and plugging it in again.
If you’re designing a web page or service and use a CDN, make sure to clear any CDN cache.
Finally, if you continue to have problems, contact the ISP to ensure the problem is not on their end.
- Refresh is a term that describes renewing the screen contents on a CRT monitor. As the refresh rate increases, the image becomes clearer.
We recommend anyone using a CRT to use at least a 75 MHz refresh rate. Lower refresh rates commonly cause strain on the eyes. If you have a flat-panel display, you do not need to worry about the refresh rate.
- When referring to computer memory, refresh is the recharging of DRAM (dynamic random access memory) chips that allow them to keep holding the data they are currently storing. Memory refresh rate is commonly displayed as xK, where x is a number (e.g., 2 or 4). If the memory has a refresh rate of 2k, it indicates how many rows it takes to complete the refresh. In our example of 2k, this means there are 2 thousand rows. The refresh cycle is a way of showing the time it requires to complete one row.
Related information
- Monitor, LCD, and display help and support.
- Refresh may also refer to a software utility developed to help improve how memory is handled on a computer.
- Memory (RAM) help and support.
When referring to a computer battery, refresh is an ability that allows NiCad batteries to reset the memory that stores their charge state.
Refresh may be used when describing erasing and reinstalling all software on a computer to make it like new.
Display cycle, Interlacing, Memory terms, Reload, Restore, Video terms
- How to erase my hard drive and start over?
