Chrome DevTools · Network ·
"Disable cache" makes Chrome ignore Early Hints preloads
Chrome ignores 103 Early Hints preloads while Disable cache is ticked. The November 2026 DevTools update warns about it; how to test properly.
With "Disable cache" ticked in DevTools, Chrome ignores the preloads in a 103 Early Hints response. A working Early Hints setup can therefore look like it does nothing while you test it.
What changed in DevTools
The November 2026 DevTools update (20 October) shows a warning in the Early Hints section of the request's Headers tab when the response includes preload links while Disable cache is active, and explains that Chrome ignores them.
How to check Early Hints
Untick Disable cache first. For a cold load, use a fresh Incognito window.
Sources
I post short notes like this on LinkedIn.
