The ERR_CACHE_MISS error is a message that usually pops up in Google Chrome when a webpage can’t proceed because it’s expecting information to be re-submitted. This often pops up after you've filled out a form and then hit the back button or refresh.

It's more common when you're actively building or testing your website, especially on those dynamic pages or the admin area. While it can look a bit alarming, it doesn't always mean something on your site is broken. It's often just about how browsers manage submitted forms and saved (cached) website data.

Why the ERR_CACHE_MISS error appears

Here are the usual suspects behind this error.

• Form re-submission. You filled out a form (like logging in, sending a message, or buying something), and now the browser wants to double-check if you want to submit it again before reloading the page.
• Caching issues. The browser either didn't save the page correctly in its memory (cache) or is having trouble finding it there.
• DevTools bug. If you're using Chrome's developer tools and have the "disable cache" option turned on, it can sometimes cause this error even when it wouldn't normally happen.
• Improper response headers. When your server or web app returns headers that don’t allow caching or re-submission, it can confuse the browser.

How to fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS error

If you're seeing this while working on your website, here's a practical guide to fixing it.

1. Don’t refresh after submitting a form

This is the most frequent cause. After submitting a form, let the form finish processing and ideally redirect you to a confirmation page instead of hitting refresh.

2. Adjust your form behavior

A good practice in web development is to always redirect users to a different page (like a thank you page) after they submit a form. This prevents them from landing back on the form and potentially triggering the resubmission warning.

3. Clear your browser cache

Sometimes, the browser's saved data is the problem. Clearing your browser's cache or trying an incognito window can often resolve this.

4. Disable DevTools “disable cache” option

If you have Chrome's developer tools open, go to the "Network" tab and make sure the "Disable cache" box is unchecked. This setting is useful for development but can sometimes cause this error unnecessarily.

5. Check your response headers

If you're dealing with server settings or APIs, double-check the "response headers." Make sure you're not sending instructions that are too strict about caching (like Cache-Control: no-store), as this can sometimes lead to this error unexpectedly.

Where you might encounter ERR_CACHE_MISS 

You might stumble upon this error in situations like:

• Trying to preview a login page or a specific login link in your website builder.
• Testing contact forms that send information using a method called "POST."
• Working with external services (APIs) that have restrictions on caching.
• Using Chrome's Developer Tools to understand how forms are behaving.

FAQs about the ERR_CACHE_MISS error

What causes the ERR_CACHE_MISS error?

Most often, it happens when you try to reload a page after submitting a form, and the browser isn't sure if it should send the information again. It can also be related to how the browser saves and retrieves website data or specific settings in developer tools.

Is ERR_CACHE_MISS a sign of something serious?

Generally, no. It's more of a warning from the browser to prevent unintended actions, like submitting a form twice, which could lead to issues like duplicate orders.

Can this error affect user experience?

Definitely, especially if they accidentally refresh after submitting a form and see this confusing message. Redirecting users after form submission is a key way to prevent this and improve their experience.

How does this relate to the “requests content type”?

When a form sends data, it specifies the format of that data (the "content type," like how the information is encoded). If this data isn't cached properly or if the server doesn't handle resubmissions of this specific type of data correctly (and there's no redirect), the browser might prevent the reload and show the ERR_CACHE_MISS error.

Build better forms with B12

With B12, your site comes equipped with smart form-handling best practices so your forms work smoothly from the start. Create a professional, reliable site today that helps you collect the right information without technical hiccups.