Clear BGP caches, tables, and databases

Updated: September 11, 2026

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Describes removing all entries from specified BGP data structures and resetting neighbor sessions for troubleshooting or data integrity.

Remove all entries from specified BGP data structures and reset neighbor sessions.

Context: Use for troubleshooting or when data integrity is in question.

Perform this procdure to remove all contents of a particular cache, table, or database. This can become necessary when the contents of the particular structure have become, or are suspected to be, invalid.

Before you begin

Try Reset BGP neighbors using hard reset to resolve the issue.

Procedure

Run the clear bgp command to clear BGP caches and sessions.

Example:

Router# clear bgp ipv4 172.20.1.1

clear bgp ipv4 <ip address> : This command clears the caches, tables, and databases for a specific neighbor.
clear bgp external : This command clears the caches, tables, and databases for all external peers.
clear bgp * : This command clears the caches, tables, and databases for all BGP neighbors.

The selected sessions, caches, and databases are reset or cleared.

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