How to Clear PowerPoint Cache

Experiencing errors or unexpected behavior in PowerPoint can be frustrating, especially when add-ins do not work as expected. One common culprit behind such issues can be outdated cache files. Clearing your PowerPoint cache can help resolve these errors and improve the application's performance. In this article, we outline the steps to effectively clear the PowerPoint cache on your Windows device.

Method 1: Clear Cache for Office Version 2108 or Later

For users with Office version 2108 or later on Windows, you can configure the Office cache to automatically clear upon restarting Office. Here's how to do it:

1. Open PowerPoint and click on the File  tab.
2. Select Options  > Trust Center  > Trust Center Settings .
3. Within Trust Center, go to Trusted Add-in Catalogs .
4. Find and select the checkbox for Next time Office starts, clear all previously-started web add-ins cache .
5. Close PowerPoint, then reopen it to allow the changes to take effect. This process clears the cache.

Method 2: Reinstall the Add-in

Reinstalling the add-in is another effective way to resolve cache-related issues. Here are the steps:

1. Open PowerPoint and navigate to File  > Options  > Add-ins .
2. From the “Manage” dropdown menu at the bottom, select COM Add-ins  and click Go .
3. Find the add-in you wish to remove, select it, then click Remove .
4. Close and reopen PowerPoint to ensure changes take effect.
5. Go to Insert  > My Add-ins  > Store .
6. Search for and select the add-in you wish to install, then click Add .
7. Once installed, attempt to use the add-in again.

Note

Should you use a premium add-in (e.g., "ChatGPT for PowerPoint"), and it reverts to a free version post-cache clearing or reinstalling, here's how to restore your purchase:

1. Navigate to the Plans  page within the add-in.
2. Click on Restore Purchase .
3. Enter the email associated with your premium subscription.
4. Click the RESTORE  button to regain access to premium features.