How to Use JavaScript:location.reload(true) Function? Complete Guide with Examples

Refreshing a web page looks simple. You click the refresh button or hit F5, and the browser reloads the content. But when you do this with JavaScript, things are not always that simple.

Many developers still see code like JavaScript:location. reload(true) and wonder what it really does. Does it reload from the server? Does it clear the cache? Or is it just the same as a normal reload?

The truth is that this small function has a long history. Over the years, browsers have changed how they handle it. What worked years ago may not work the same way today. That is why there is still confusion about the right way to reload a page with JavaScript.

In this guide, we’ll break it down step by step. You’ll learn what the function means, how browsers treat it now, where it can be useful, and better ways to refresh your page in modern web development.

What is JavaScript:location.reload(true)?

In JavaScript, the location object gives you information about the current URL. It also lets you change or reload the page.

The method location.reload() is the most common way to refresh the page. It works like pressing the refresh button in your browser.

Now, you may see this form:

<a href=”JavaScript:location.reload(true)”>Reload Page</a>

Here is what it means:

• JavaScript: – This prefix is often used in links or bookmarklets. It tells the browser to run the code instead of opening a new page.
  
• location.reload() – This reloads the current page.
  
• true – In older browsers, this told the browser to reload the page from the server and ignore the cache.

So, writing location.reload(true) used to mean a “hard reload”. Without the true, browsers could reuse cached files, which is a “soft reload.”

But here’s the key point: modern browsers ignore the true. Calling location.reload(true) today works the same as calling location.reload().

History and Deprecation of location.reload(true)

When JavaScript was first used in browsers, page reloads were handled in two ways:

• Soft reload – reloads the page but may use cached files.
• Hard reload – ignores the cache and forces the browser to fetch everything from the server.

The method location.reload(true) was introduced to make a hard reload easy. Developers used it when they needed the newest version of a page and wanted to skip the cache.

For example:

This worked in older versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, and some other browsers.

Why it was removed

Over time, this parameter was dropped. Here’s why:

• Not standard – The true option was never part of the official JavaScript standard.
  
• Inconsistent – Different browsers handled it in different ways, which caused bugs.
  
• Security risks – Forcing server reloads could be abused for denial-of-service or cache-busting.
  
• Better options – Cache rules should be controlled by the server, not by client-side scripts.

Now, in 2025, all major browsers treat location.reload(true) exactly the same as location.reload(). The true is ignored. Some browsers may even warn you in the console that this parameter is deprecated.

Benefits of Using JavaScript:location.reload(true) (Legacy Context)

Even though the true parameter is ignored today, it once had clear benefits. Developers relied on it for a few reasons:

1. Forced a Fresh Copy

• In older browsers, location.reload(true) skipped the cache.
  
• This ensured the browser always loaded the newest version of a page, scripts, or styles.
  
• Useful when websites updated often but cache still showed old files.

2. Simple to Use

• It was just one line of code.
  
• No need for complex server rules or query strings.
  
• Made sense for quick fixes and debugging.

3. Helpful in Development

• Frontend developers often made changes but the browser showed cached files.
  
• Using reload(true) guaranteed they saw their latest edits right away.

4. Good for Legacy Apps

• Many older web apps had limited cache control.
  
• Developers used this method as a shortcut to make sure users didn’t see outdated content.

⚠️ Note: These benefits only applied to older browsers.

Today, these problems are better solved by:

• Server-side cache headers (Cache-Control, ETag).
  
• Query strings for cache busting.
  
• Developer tools that disable cache during testing.

Browser Compatibility in 2025

The true parameter of location.reload(true) is no longer supported. All modern and private browsers treat it exactly the same as location.reload().

That means:

• No browser forces a server reload because of the true.
  
• Cache use depends on how the server is configured, not on JavaScript.
  
• Some browsers may even warn in the console that the parameter is deprecated.

Here’s a quick compatibility table for 2025:

Browser	location.reload()	location.reload(true)	Notes
Chrome	✅ Supported	🚫 Ignored	No difference between calls
Firefox	✅ Supported	🚫 Ignored	May show deprecation warning
Safari	✅ Supported	🚫 Ignored	Uses normal cache rules
Edge	✅ Supported	🚫 Ignored	Same as Chrome (Chromium)
Opera	✅ Supported	🚫 Ignored	Same as Chrome
Mobile Browsers	✅ Supported	🚫 Ignored	Same as desktop versions

✅ So, whether you write location.reload(true) or just location.reload(), the result is the same.

If you want to force a fresh reload (like true used to do), you’ll need to use modern alternatives such as query strings, cache headers, or service workers.

Practical Use Cases for Page Reloads

Even though modern apps often avoid full reloads, there are still times when it’s the right tool. Here are some real-world examples:

1. Logging Out

When a user logs out, reloading the page clears session data and sends them back to the login screen.

function logoutUser() {

sessionStorage.clear();

location.reload();

}

2. Fixing Critical Errors

Sometimes apps run into a bad state — like broken scripts or UI crashes. A reload resets everything.

3. Switching Environment or Settings

• Language changes
  
• Theme or dark mode toggles
  
• Locale or region switch

Reload ensures the whole page applies the new settings.

4. News and Blogging Sites

For fast-changing content like headlines or articles, a reload helps show readers the latest updates.

5. Real-Time Dashboards

Stock tickers, weather updates, or IoT monitoring tools may use reloads on a schedule if advanced options (like WebSockets) aren’t available.

setInterval(() => {

location.reload();

}, 60000); // reload every 60 seconds

6. Form Submissions (Legacy)

In some older apps, reloading the page after a form submit ensures that the page displays fresh data.
⚠️ But in modern apps, AJAX or fetch calls are better for this.

Code Examples of Page Reload in JavaScript

Reloading a page with JavaScript can be done in a few simple ways. Here are the most common examples:

1. Basic Reload

The simplest way is to call location.reload().

// Reloads the current page

location.reload();

2. Reload on Button Click

You can add it to a button so the user can refresh the page when needed.

<button onclick=”location.reload()”>Reload Page</button>

3. Reload After a Delay

Sometimes you want to reload after a few seconds.

// Reloads the page after 5 seconds

setTimeout(() => {

location.reload();

}, 5000);

4. Reload at Regular Intervals

This is useful for dashboards or monitoring apps.

// Reloads the page every 60 seconds

setInterval(() => {

location.reload();

}, 60000);

5. Reload with Cache-Busting Query String

If you want to force a fresh reload (like true used to do), add a unique query string.

// Adds a timestamp to bypass cache

window.location.href = window.location.pathname + ‘?t=’ + Date.now();

6. Reload and Replace History

If you don’t want the reload to create a new entry in the browser history, use replace().

// Replaces the current page without adding to history

window.location.replace(window.location.href);

✅ These examples cover the most common reload needs — from simple button clicks to forcing a fresh reload.

Downsides of Using Full Page Reloads

Reloading a page sounds easy, but it comes with trade-offs. Here are the main drawbacks:

1. Breaks User Experience

• In single-page applications (SPAs), users expect smooth navigation.
  
• A full reload wipes out the app state and breaks that flow.

2. Reloads All Resources

• Every CSS file, JavaScript file, image, and API request is loaded again.
  
• This slows down the page and increases bandwidth use.

3. Can Cause Data Loss

• If a user is typing in a form and the page reloads, their input is lost.
  
• This can be very frustrating if the reload wasn’t expected.

4. Hurts Performance

• Reloading too often can make your app feel sluggish.
  
• It also puts extra load on your servers.

5. SEO and Analytics Issues

• Frequent reloads may reset sessions or tracking events.
  
• This can affect analytics data and user journey tracking.

⚠️ Because of these downsides, a full reload should only be used when absolutely needed. For small updates or smooth interactions, modern alternatives are a much better choice.

Modern Alternatives to Page Reload

Since location.reload(true) no longer works; developers now use better ways to update content. These methods keep apps faster and avoid the problems of full reloads.

1. Cache-Busting with Query Strings

A simple trick is to add a unique query string to the URL. This makes the browser fetch a fresh copy.

// Adds a timestamp to bypass cache

window.location.href = window.location.pathname + ‘?v=’ + Date.now();

2. Fetch API (Partial Updates)

Use fetch() to get new data from the server and update only part of the page.

// Fetch new data without reloading the page

fetch(‘/api/data’)

.then(response => response.json())

.then(data => {

document.getElementById(‘output’).innerText = data.message;

});

✅ Great for dashboards, news feeds, or notifications.

3. AJAX (Legacy but Still Useful)

If you’re using jQuery or older projects, AJAX can refresh parts of the page.

// Using jQuery to fetch data

$.get(‘/data’, function(response) {

$(‘#content’).html(response);

});

4. SPA Frameworks (React, Vue, Angular)

Modern frameworks update only what changes.

• React re-renders components.
  
• Vue updates the DOM reactively.
  
• Angular manages state and views without full reloads.

✅ This gives users a smooth, app-like experience.

5. WebSockets or SSE (Real-Time Updates)

For live apps like chat, stock tickers, or sports scores, WebSockets are best.

// Example WebSocket client

const socket = new WebSocket(‘wss://example.com/socket’);

socket.onmessage = (event) => {

document.getElementById(‘live’).innerText = event.data;

};

✅ Instant updates, no reloads needed.

6. Service Workers (Advanced Caching Control)

Service workers give full control over caching and network requests.

• Decide when to use cache.
  
• Decide when to fetch from the server.
  
• Useful for progressive web apps (PWAs).

👉 These modern methods let you update pages without forcing full reloads. They are faster, safer, and better for user experience.

Debugging Tips for Reload Behavior

Sometimes a page does not reload the way you expect. Use these simple steps to test and fix it.

1) Disable cache in DevTools

1. Open DevTools (F12).
   
2. Go to Network.
   
3. Check Disable cache.
   
4. Run location.reload().

Now every request goes to the server. You can see what loads.

2) Do a hard reload from the browser

• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + R
  
• macOS: Cmd + Shift + R

This forces a fresh load once. Good quick test.

3) Watch the Network panel

• Reload the page.
  
• Look at each request’s Status and Size.
  
• If you see (from disk cache) or (from memory cache), the cache was used.
  
• Click a request → Headers → check:
  
  • Cache-Control
  • ETag
  • Last-Modified
    
    These tell you why the browser cached the file.

4) Add a test query string

Try a cache-busting test. If this works, caching is the issue.

window.location.href = window.location.pathname + ‘?t=’ + Date.now();

5) Check the Console for warnings

Open Console in DevTools and look for messages like:

• “location.reload(true) is deprecated”
  
• Service worker logs
  
• CORS or mixed content errors

Fix those first.

6) Test with a clean state

Sometimes storage causes stale views.

• Application tab → clear Local Storage, Session Storage, IndexedDB.
  
• Clear Cookies if the auth or A/B flags affect content.
  
• Then reload.

7) Inspect the service worker (if any)

PWAs can serve cached files even after a reload.

• Application → Service Workers.
  
• Click Update or Unregister to test without it.
  
• Consider self.skipWaiting() and versioned caches in your SW code.

8) Throttle the network

Simulate slow 3G in Network → Throttling.

• Reload and watch which files block first paint.
  
• Large cached files may hide real server issues.

9) Verify server headers locally

If you control the server, set headers for a test route:

Cache-Control: no-cache

ETag: “v123”

Reload and confirm the browser revalidates with 304 Not Modified or refetches with 200.

10) Try an isolated minimal page

Create a tiny HTML page that loads one script. Test reload there.
If it works, the bug is in your app logic, not the browser.

Best Practices for Developers

Use these tips to keep your app fast, safe, and easy to use.

1) Reload only when you must

• Ask: can I update just part of the page?
  
• Prefer Fetch, WebSockets, or your SPA state.
  
• Save full reloads for resets and errors.

2) Protect user input

• Warn before reload if a form has changes.

window.addEventListener(‘beforeunload’, (e) => {

if (formIsDirty) {

e.preventDefault();

e.returnValue = ”;

}

});

3) Avoid reload loops

• Never call reload inside setInterval without limits.
  
• Add a counter or a backoff.

let tries = 0;

const timer = setInterval(() => {

if (++tries > 3) clearInterval(timer);

location.reload();

}, 60000);

4) Keep history clean when needed

• Use location.replace(location.href) if you do not want a new history entry.
  
• This stops users from hitting Back and seeing the same page reload again.

5) Use cache-busting wisely

• Only when you need a fresh copy.
  
• Prefer versioned assets like /app.v123.js.
  
• For one-off tests, add a timestamp query.

6) Control freshness on the server

• Set Cache-Control, ETag, Last-Modified.
  
• Use short TTLs for HTML. Use long TTLs for hashed assets.

7) Be kind to performance

• Reloading pulls CSS, JS, and images again.
  
• Schedule reloads during low activity.
  
• Avoid reload on every small change.

8) Mind accessibility and UX

• Tell users what is happening (“Refreshing data…”).
  
• Keep focus in a sensible place after reload.
  
• Avoid surprise reloads while users type.

9) Coordinate with service workers

• Version your caches.
  
• Update then reload once:

if (‘serviceWorker’ in navigator) {

navigator.serviceWorker.addEventListener(‘controllerchange’, () => {

location.reload();

});

}

10) Log and measure

• Track reload reasons in analytics.
  
• Watch error rates and bounce rates after changes.

11) Handle auth and state safely

• Clear tokens on logout, then reload.

localStorage.removeItem(‘token’);

sessionStorage.clear();

location.replace(‘/login’);

12) Provide a manual refresh

• Give users a button instead of auto-reload when possible.

<button id=”refresh”>Refresh</button>

<script>

document.getElementById(‘refresh’).addEventListener(‘click’, () => {

location.reload();

});

</script>

13) Test on slow networks

• Use DevTools throttling.
  
• Make sure reloads do not freeze the UI.

14) Fail gracefully

• If reload fails to fix an error, show a helpful message and a link to support.
• Do not keep retrying forever.

Summary Table of Techniques

Technique	Reloads Whole Page	Updates Part of Page	Modern in 2025	Best Use Case	Notes
location.reload()	✅	❌	✅	Reset UI, recover from errors, logout	Simple and safe
location.reload(true)	❌ (ignored)	❌	❌	None (legacy only)	Parameter is deprecated
Cache-busting URL (?t=Date.now())	✅	❌	✅	Force fresh HTML load	Adds query string
location.replace(location.href)	✅	❌	✅	Reload without new history entry	Replaces current entry
Fetch API	❌	✅	✅	Load new data into a section	Pure JS, no full reload
AJAX (jQuery)	❌	✅	✅	Legacy sites that use jQuery	Still common in older apps
SPA frameworks (React/Vue/Angular)	❌	✅	✅	Component updates, smooth UX	No full reload needed
WebSockets / SSE	❌	✅	✅	Real-time dashboards, chat, scores	Push updates instantly
Service Workers	❌	✅	✅	PWAs, smart caching, offline	Fine-grained cache control
Server headers (Cache-Control, ETag)	❌	✅	✅	Control freshness globally	The right long-term fix

Conclusion

The old command JavaScript:location.reload(true) once forced a hard reload from the server. In 2025, that flag is ignored. Modern browsers treat it the same as a normal location.reload().

Page reloads still have their place. They can reset a broken app, clear sessions after logout, or refresh a dashboard on a timer. But reloading the whole page also comes with costs — extra network use, lost form data, and a broken user experience.

For most cases, modern methods are better. Use Fetch or AJAX for partial updates, WebSockets for real-time data, or SPA frameworks for smooth UI changes. Control freshness with server cache headers or service workers.

The rule of thumb is simple:

• ✅ Use location.reload() when you truly need a full reset.
• ❌ Don’t rely on location.reload(true) — it’s deprecated.
• 💡 For everything else, use smarter tools that update only what’s needed.

By understanding the history, knowing the drawbacks, and applying the right modern techniques, you’ll keep your apps fast, reliable, and user-friendly.