How to Clear the Battle.net Cache

Clearing the Battle.net cache can help when the launcher displays outdated information, gets stuck loading, or behaves unexpectedly. Cache files are temporary data that the app can recreate; deleting them is different from uninstalling Battle.net or removing a game. You will need access to the computer’s file manager and permission to delete files in your user folders. The exact folder path and menu wording can vary slightly by operating system and app version.

What You’ll Need

A Windows PC or Mac with Battle.net installed.
Access to the account used to sign in to your computer.
A few minutes to close the launcher, remove the cache folder, and let Battle.net rebuild it.

You do not need to uninstall the app, delete a game, or clear your entire computer’s temporary files. If you are using a shared or managed computer, check that you are allowed to remove files from your own application data folder.

Step-by-Step

Save work and exit games. Close any Blizzard games that are running. Let downloads, updates, or file checks finish if possible; interrupting them may mean the launcher has to check or resume those tasks later.
Quit Battle.net completely. Close the launcher window, then use its notification-area or menu-bar icon to choose an exit or quit option if available. Closing the window alone may leave Battle.net running in the background. On Windows, you can check the notification area near the clock; on Mac, check the menu bar or Dock.
Open the Run dialog on Windows. Press Windows key + R, enter %ProgramData%, and press Enter. This opens the shared application data folder, which is normally hidden when browsing folders in the usual way. Do not enter a path found in an unofficial cleanup tool.
Find the Battle.net cache folder. In the folder that opens, look for a folder named Blizzard Entertainment, then open it and look for Cache. Depending on the installed app and version, the cache may instead be in a Battle.net-related folder. If you do not see a Cache folder, do not delete similarly named folders at random.
Remove only the cache. Select the specific Cache folder and delete it. If you want an easy way to undo the change, move it to the Recycle Bin or Trash rather than permanently erasing it. Do not delete the Games, Data, or game-installation folders; those are not the cache and can contain large or important game files.
Reopen Battle.net. Start the launcher from its normal shortcut or Applications folder and sign in if asked. It may take a little longer to load while it creates fresh temporary files. Check whether the original launcher issue is resolved.
Use the Mac-specific location if needed. If you are on macOS and cannot locate the cache through the app’s folders, open Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder, and enter ~/Library/Application Support/Blizzard. Look for a clearly named Battle.net or Blizzard cache folder. The Library folder is hidden by default, and the exact subfolder can differ. Remove only an identified cache folder, not the whole Application Support or Blizzard folder.

On Windows, the ProgramData location is the usual starting point for Battle.net’s shared launcher data. If its contents do not match these directions, use the launcher’s official support instructions for your installed version rather than guessing at a different location. The menu names and folder layout may differ slightly by version.

Common Mistakes

Leaving the app running: Battle.net may recreate or keep files open while you delete them. Quit it fully first; if needed, restart the computer and try before launching Battle.net again.
Deleting the wrong folder: Cache is temporary, but game data and installation folders are not. Confirm the folder is named Cache, and avoid broad deletion of Blizzard, Battle.net, or ProgramData folders.
Expecting the cache to contain saves: Removing the launcher cache is not a way to reset a game or remove saved progress. Game saves may be stored locally, in cloud services, or in game-specific folders.
Using a third-party cleanup utility: A utility may remove unrelated settings or files. The manual method is more controlled; stick to the identified launcher cache.
Repeatedly clearing it for every problem: Cache removal can address stale temporary data, but it will not fix an account, network, update-server, or damaged game-installation problem by itself.

Tips

Take a moment to read the full folder name before deleting anything. When uncertain, stop and confirm the location with official Battle.net support.
Deleting the folder rather than its individual contents is usually simpler. The launcher can generate a new cache folder as needed.
Expect the first launch afterward to be slower than usual. Rebuilding temporary data is normal and does not necessarily indicate that the cleanup failed.
If you are troubleshooting a single game, use Battle.net’s built-in scan-and-repair option for that game where available. Its location may differ slightly by version, and it is separate from clearing the launcher cache.

Troubleshooting

The Cache folder is missing: Confirm Battle.net is closed and that you opened the correct user or shared-data location. On Windows, check %ProgramData%; on Mac, check the Library folder with Finder’s Go to Folder command. If the folder still is not there, do not create or delete replacement folders at random—the app may use a different layout.

Windows says a file is in use: Quit Battle.net from the notification area and check that no game or launcher process remains open. Restarting Windows can release locked files. Then locate and remove only the cache folder before starting the launcher again.

You cannot delete the folder: Check that you are signed in to an account with permission to modify that folder. Do not change broad system permissions just to force deletion. If the computer is managed, contact its administrator or use official support guidance.

The issue remains: Restart the computer, confirm your internet connection is working, and check the launcher’s status or support guidance. Try the game’s repair option if the problem is limited to one game. For persistent launcher errors, collect the exact error message and contact Battle.net support rather than deleting more folders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing the Battle.net cache delete my games?

No, not when you delete only the launcher’s Cache folder. Games are stored separately, so carefully avoid deleting game installation or data folders.

Will it remove my saved progress?

Clearing the launcher cache is not intended to erase game saves or account progress. Save locations and cloud-save behavior depend on the particular game, so do not delete game folders when troubleshooting the launcher.

Do I need to uninstall Battle.net first?

No. Quit the launcher fully, remove only its identified cache folder, and reopen it. Uninstalling is unnecessary for a routine cache cleanup.

How often should I clear the cache?

There is no routine schedule. Clear it when troubleshooting a launcher problem that may involve stale temporary data, rather than deleting it regularly without a reason.

What if Battle.net recreates the Cache folder?

That is expected: the launcher creates fresh temporary files as it runs. The goal is to replace potentially stale cache data, not to keep the folder permanently absent.

Is clearing cache the same as clearing game data?

No. The cache belongs to the launcher’s temporary data, while game data can include installed files, settings, and saves. Remove only a clearly identified cache folder.

Further reading: Blizzard Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.