Clear OBS Studio Browser Cache Without Losing Scenes

Over time, OBS Studio accumulates cached data from browser sources like stream overlays, alerts, and widgets, which can cause loading issues, broken elements, or outdated information. This guide provides a quick, step-by-step walkthrough on how to completely purge all cached browser data in OBS Studio without affecting your custom scene layouts, transitions, or sources.

Why Your Scenes Are Safe

Your scene layouts, sources, and profiles are stored in a completely separate directory from your browser cache. Scene configurations are saved as JSON files in the basic folder of your OBS settings, while the browser cache is stored in the obs-browser plugin folder. Deleting the cache folder will only force your widgets and web sources to redownload fresh data upon the next startup.

This method completely deletes all cached browser files, cookies, and local storage data, forcing OBS to load every browser source entirely from scratch.

  1. Close OBS Studio completely to ensure no files are currently in use.
  2. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  3. Type %appdata%\obs-studio\plugin_config\obs-browser and press Enter.
  4. In the folder that opens, you will see several directories. Select and delete the following folders:
    • Cache
    • GPUCache
    • Local Storage (Note: Deleting this will log you out of any browser overlays that require a direct login session).
  5. Empty your Windows Recycle Bin.
  6. Relaunch OBS Studio. Your browser sources will now load with a completely fresh state.

Method 2: Purging Cache via OBS Command Line

If you prefer not to dig through hidden system folders, you can force OBS to clear its cache using a launch command shortcut.

  1. Right-click your OBS Studio desktop shortcut and select Properties.
  2. In the Shortcut tab, look for the Target field.
  3. Go to the very end of the text in the Target box, add a space, and paste the following parameter: --clear-cache
  4. Click Apply and then OK.
  5. Launch OBS Studio using this shortcut. The program will automatically purge its browser cache on startup.
  6. Important: Close OBS and remove the --clear-cache parameter from your shortcut target afterward; otherwise, it will delete your cache every single time you open the software, resulting in longer load times.

Method 3: Refreshing a Single Browser Source

If only one specific overlay or alert widget is acting up, you do not need to clear the global cache. You can refresh individual sources directly inside the application.

  1. Open OBS Studio.
  2. Double-click the problematic Browser Source in your Sources list to open its properties window.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the properties menu.
  4. Click the button labeled Refresh cache of current page.
  5. Click OK to save the changes.