Cisco IOS Cookbook, 2nd Edition

Clearing the Router’s Log

Problem

You want to clear the router’s log buffer.

Solution

Use the clear logging command to clear the router’s internal log buffer:

Router#clear logging 
Clear logging buffer [confirm]<enter>
Router#

Discussion

There are times when it is useful to be able to clear your router’s internal buffer log. For instance, while debugging a network problem, old debug messages can cause unnecessary confusion during stressful moments. This will clear the router log:

Router#clear logging
Clear logging buffer [confirm]<enter>
Router>show logging
Syslog logging: enabled (0 messages dropped, 0 messages rate-limited, 0 flushes, 0 overruns)
    Console logging: level debugging, 64201 messages logged
    Monitor logging: level debugging, 64820 messages logged
    Buffer logging: level debugging, 9 messages logged
    Logging Exception size (4096 bytes)
    Trap logging: level debugging, 2253 message lines logged
        Logging to 172.25.1.1, 2253 message lines logged
          
Log Buffer (4096 bytes):
Router>

Note that this command has no effect on the other forms of logging.