Clearing the cache on Kodi is necessary for enjoying smooth video playback on the platform. You can enjoy the improved speed and stability of the Kodi player when you clear the cache

I know you might be dealing with slow performance and constant buffering while using Kodi, it is time to clear the cache. This simple process of clearing the cache can help improve the speed of the Kodi app. 

In this article, I’ll share with you the reasons why you need to clear cache on Kodi and I’ll guide you on how you can possibly clear cache on Kodi. 

Why you should clear the cache on Kodi?

There are so many reasons why you have to clear the cache on Kodi. Here are some of the reasons; 

  1. To Free Up Storage Space: Cache on Kodi can accumulate an amount of data, which now takes up storage space on your device.
  2. To Improve the Performance of Kodi: when a cache is cleared, it ensures that Kodi operates efficiently. It can also let Kodi load faster and smoother. 
  3. To Enhance Kodi’s Stability: when a cache is overloaded, it can cause Kodi to become unstable or even crash. However, clearing the cache can help prevent issues like this. 
  4. To Reduce Buffering and Delays: When Cached data is outdated or corrupted, it can lead to buffering issues or delays when streaming content. In order to prevent this, you need to clear the cache.

Now that you know the benefits of clearing the cache on Kodi, let’s dive into the steps in clearing the cache on Kodi. 

How to Clear Cache on Kodi. 

The steps involved in clearing the cache on Kodi depend on the version of Kodi you are using and the device you are using it on. You can clear the cache manually, with a third-party program, or using other apps. Here are some of the ways of clearing the cache on Kodi.

  1. Using Maintenance Add-ons
  2. Using Kodi’s Interface, etc

in this article, I’ll share the processes involved in clearing the cache using maintenance Add-ons. 

Note: It is always a good idea to consult the Kodi documentation or seek guidance from a knowledgeable user if you are not sure of how to clear the cache on Kodi.

Method 1: Use add-ons. 

Add-ons are third-party programs that can be used to clear the cache on Kodi. These programs are actually designed to help users manage their cache. There are several types of add-ons that can be used to clear cache. 

In this article, I’ll guide you on how to use two popular types of add-ons to clear your cache. The two add-ons include The Merlin Wizard and the Merlin Ares. To use these add-ons, you need to install it first. 

How to install the Merlin Wizard add-on.

To install Merlin Wizard in Kodi, you have to follow the steps below; 

  1. Ensure that Kodi is opened on your device.
  2. From the main menu, select “Settings” >  “System Settings” > “Add-ons”.
  3. Enable or toggle on “Unknown sources”. This allows you to install apps from sources other than the official Kodi repository.
  4. On the main menu, select the “File manager” > “Add source” and enter this URL in the “Path” field: http://mwiz.uk/repo/ 
  5. Give the source a name (such as “Merlin“) and click “OK.”
  6. Go back to the home screen and select “Add-on” > “Package installer” > “Install from zip file” option and find the “Merlin” source that you just added.
  7. Select the “repository.merlin-x.x.zip” file and click “OK” to begin the installation process.
  8. Wait for the “Merlin Repository” add-on to be installed. 
  9. From the home screen, go to Add-ons and click on the Install button from the repository > “Merlin Repository” > “Program add-ons”.
  10. Find the “Merlin” add-on and select “Install.”
  11. Wait for the installation to complete and then click “OK” to close the notification.
  12. You should now have it installed and ready to use on your Kodi device.

How to use Merlin Wizard to clear the cache on Kodi

  1. Open the Merlin add-on and navigate to the “System” tab.
  2. Select “Clear Cache” from the list of options.
  3. Confirm that you want to clear the cache.

How to install Ares Wizard add-on.

Follow the steps below to install the Ares Wizard add-on. 

  1. Tap on Kodi and go to Settings. 
  2. Click on the File Manager option and then select the Add Source option.
  3. Click on the <None> option and enter http://ares-repo.eu/ 
  4. Give the source a name, such as “Ares” and then click on the OK button.
  5. On the home screen, click on the Add-ons option.
  6. Click on the Package Installer icon in the top-left panel and then select Install from the zip file option.
  7. Select the Ares source that you just added and then select the repository.aresproject-x.x.x.zip file.
  8. Wait for the repository to download, then click on the Install from Repository option. 
  9. Select the Ares Project repository and then click on the Program add-ons option.
  10. Select the add-on and click on the Install button.

How to clear Kodi cache using Ares Wizard.

To clear the cache on Kodi using this add-on, follow the steps below: 

  1. Open the Kodi home screen and go to the Add-ons menu.
  2. Click on the Ares Wizard app icon to open it.
  3. In the app menu, select the “Maintenance tab”.
  4. Click on the “Delete Cache” button.
  5. A confirmation window will appear, asking you to confirm the action. Click on the “Yes” button to clear the Kodi cache.

Method 2: Clear Kodi Cache with Firestick, NVIDIA Shield and MECOOL Box

If you use Kodi on a streaming device like Firestick, NVIDIA Shield, MECOOL box, etc., this method will help you clear the cache on Kodi. I’m going to be using the steps for Firestick here, but the steps are similar for other similar devices.

  1. Open the Kodi app, go to Settings then select Applications
  2. Scroll down and select Manage Installed Applications
  3. Scroll to Kodi and select it
  4. Select Clear Cache

Method 3: Clear Kodi Cache on Andriod TV

  1. Go to the Home Screen of your Andriod TV device
  2. Navigate to Settings and scroll down to Apps
  3. Find Kodi among the apps and click on it once you locate it
  4. Select Clear Cache to clear the cache

What happens when you clear data on Kodi?

You might be curious about what happens after you’ve cleared data on Kodi. Well, clearing data on Kodi will remove all the software’s data, including settings, user preferences, and cached media files. 

While it is a great way to help resolve issues with the device, it will also reset all of your settings and preferences, so you will need to reconfigure the device after clearing its data.

Final thoughts.

Clearing the cache is a way of freeing up storage on Kodi. I have listed a few ways you can clear the cache on Kodi. Using the Merlin add-on or the Ares add-on is a good and popular choice for Kodi users looking to streamline their add-on management. 

If you are looking for a more comprehensive solution for managing your Kodi addons, you would go for the Merlin Wizard, while Ares Wizard is a better choice if you are focused more on optimizing and customizing your Kodi setup.

Just follow the steps above and you’ll be able to improve the performance of your Kodi device

Further Reading:

Mkpoikana Otu - Tech Gorilla Author

The love of tech is strong with Mkpoikana, he has worked for numerous large publications online, providing tech insights, news and reviews.

He is a great member of our team and has several years experience of writing for tech companies.