Why Is Chrome Running Slow? 8 Fixes From Google’s Own Settings

Why is Chrome running so slow?

Chrome running slow is most often a resource problem rather than a broken browser. Chrome’s Task Manager lists every open tab, extension and background page as a separate task, and each task uses memory and processor time. Google’s Speed up Google Chrome help page states the mechanism plainly: the more tabs you have open, the harder Chrome has to work.

There are 6 common causes of a slow Chrome browser. They are too many open tabs, resource-heavy extensions, an outdated Chrome version, a single misbehaving website or web app, a graphics acceleration problem and unwanted software that changes browser settings.

A slow browser can also be a symptom of a slow computer. If every application is sluggish, not just Chrome, the guide on how to make a laptop faster covers system-wide causes such as startup apps and a full disk.

How do you find out what is slowing Chrome down?

To find out what is slowing Chrome down, open Chrome’s own Task Manager, which lists every tab, extension and background process with its memory and CPU use. Google documents the tool in its speed-up guide and lists the Windows keyboard shortcut, Shift + Esc, on its Chrome keyboard shortcuts page.

1. Open Chrome Task Manager with Shift + Esc on Windows, or select More (the three-dot menu) > More tools > Task Manager on any computer.
2. Select the Memory column header to sort tasks by memory use.
3. Look for items labeled “Background page” and for any tab or extension that sits far above the rest.
4. Select a task you do not need and choose End Process.

Ending a process closes that tab or extension immediately. Google warns that any unsaved work in the task will be lost, so save open documents or forms before ending a process.

Which fix matches which symptom?

The right fix for a slow Chrome browser depends on the symptom you see. The table below maps common symptoms to their most likely cause and to the Chrome setting that addresses it, based on Google’s help documentation.

How do you speed up Chrome with Memory Saver and Energy Saver?

To speed up Chrome with Memory Saver, open More > Settings, select Performance on the left and turn on Memory Saver. Google’s Chrome performance settings page explains that Memory Saver deactivates tabs you are not currently using, and an inactive tab reloads automatically when you return to it.

Chrome offers 3 Memory Saver levels:

• Moderate: tabs become inactive after a longer period, with smaller memory savings.
• Balanced (recommended): tabs become inactive after what Google calls an optimal period.
• Maximum: tabs become inactive after a shorter period, with the largest memory savings.

Memory Saver has sensible exceptions. Google lists 7 activities that can prevent a tab from being deactivated: active audio or video, screen sharing, page notifications, active downloads, partially filled forms, pinned tabs and connected USB or Bluetooth devices. To protect a site you always need running, such as a web mail or chat app, select Add next to “Always keep these sites active” on the same Performance page.

Energy Saver works differently and can make Chrome feel slower on purpose. According to Google, Energy Saver reduces Chrome’s image capture rate and background tasks, and it stops eligible CPU-intensive background tabs when your device is unplugged or the battery is low. Google notes that you may notice changes in gaming and video performance. If Chrome feels slow only on battery power, select the Energy Saver icon next to the address bar and choose Turn off now for the session, or plug the laptop in. Performance settings are not available in Chrome for Android or iOS.

Memory Saver reduces pressure but does not add memory. Persistent “Aw, Snap!” crashes with an out-of-memory error need a different approach, covered in the guide to the Chrome out of memory error.

How do you remove extensions that slow Chrome down?

To remove extensions that slow Chrome down, select More > Extensions > Manage Extensions and turn off or remove any extension you do not use. Google describes extensions as small programs that add features, and its speed-up guide recommends turning off the ones you are not using.

1. Open More > Extensions > Manage Extensions.
2. Turn off every extension with the toggle switch.
3. Restart Chrome and check whether browsing speed improves.
4. Turn extensions back on one at a time to find the one that causes the slowdown.
5. Select Remove on any extension you no longer need.

Extension cleanup also has a security benefit. Google’s extension management page includes a Repair option for corrupted extensions and advises running antivirus or anti-malware software if an extension stays corrupted after repair, because a suspicious program may be changing its files.

Does updating Chrome or clearing the cache make it faster?

Updating Chrome helps performance and security, while clearing the cache is a targeted fix rather than a general speed boost. Google’s speed-up guide lists updating as step 1, stating that Chrome works best on the latest version. To update, follow Google’s Update Google Chrome steps: select More > Help > About Google Chrome, then select Relaunch if an update is waiting.

Clearing cached data deserves more caution. Google’s Delete browsing data page explains that Chrome stores parts of pages so they open faster on your next visit. Deleting that cache therefore makes the first visit to each site slower, not faster. Clearing cached files and cookies is useful when a specific site loads incorrectly or behaves oddly, but it also signs you out of most websites.

To clear browsing data, select More > Delete browsing data (or press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows), choose a time range, select the items to remove and confirm with Delete data.

Should you turn off preloading or graphics acceleration?

Preloading and graphics acceleration are both designed to make Chrome faster, so turn them off only when you have a specific reason. Preloading, found under Settings > Performance > Preload pages, loads pages Chrome predicts you will visit. Google offers Standard preloading and Extended preloading and notes that preloading may use cookies, if you allow them.

Graphics acceleration lets Chrome use the computer’s graphics processor (GPU) to draw pages and video. The setting is called Use graphics acceleration when available and appears under More > Settings > System. Chromium’s policy definition for the setting shows that acceleration is on by default.

Turning graphics acceleration off can help when scrolling, video or page drawing stutters across many sites, which often points to a graphics driver problem. Turning it off on a healthy system can make Chrome slower, because the processor then does work the GPU handled more efficiently. Toggle the setting, select Relaunch, test for a day and switch it back on if nothing improves. A graphics driver update from your PC maker or GPU vendor is the longer-term fix.

When should you reset Chrome or check for malware?

Reset Chrome or check for malware when the slowdown comes with settings you did not change. Google’s unwanted ads, pop-ups and malware page lists 5 warning signs: pop-up ads and new tabs that will not go away, a homepage or search engine that keeps changing, unwanted extensions or toolbars that keep coming back, browsing that redirects to unfamiliar pages, and alerts about a virus or infected device.

Google advises checking the computer for unwanted programs before resetting the browser, because a reset alone will not stop a program that keeps changing settings.

1. Remove unwanted programs on Windows through Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, then select the program and choose Uninstall. On a Mac, open Finder > Applications and move unrecognized programs to the Trash.
2. Run Safety Check under More > Settings > Privacy and security > Go to Safety Check. Google’s safety and security page states that Safety Check can warn about potentially harmful extensions and available Chrome updates.
3. Reset Chrome under More > Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults > Reset settings.
4. Turn back on only the extensions you trust under More > Extensions > Manage extensions.

A reset is safer than it sounds but is not free of cost. According to Google’s reset settings page, a reset returns the default search engine, homepage, new tab page, pinned tabs, content settings, cookies and site data, and extensions and themes to their defaults. Saved bookmarks and passwords are not deleted or changed. Because cookies are cleared, expect to sign in to websites again.

Stop and get help if the warning signs return after a reset, or if a pop-up claims your computer is infected and asks you to call a number or pay. A full scan with reputable security software is the next step, and the guide to removing malware from Windows 11 for free walks through it.

What if Chrome is still slow after every fix?

Chrome that remains slow after every fix usually points to the computer’s hardware or operating system rather than the browser. Google’s speed-up guide recommends avoiding running many apps at the same time, because Chrome competes with every other program for the same memory. Check overall memory use in the Windows Task Manager, and see the guide on how to clear RAM on Windows 11 if memory is consistently near its limit.

Before reinstalling Chrome, test your connection in a different browser, because a slow network makes every browser feel slow. If the other browser is fast, create a new Chrome profile (a separate set of settings, history and extensions) to check whether the problem lives in your existing profile data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Chrome so slow all of a sudden?

Chrome slowing down suddenly is most often caused by a newly installed extension, a single heavy web page or an outdated Chrome version. Open Chrome’s Task Manager with Shift + Esc on Windows to see which tab or extension is using the most memory.

Does Chrome Memory Saver make Chrome faster?

Chrome Memory Saver makes active tabs run more smoothly by deactivating tabs you are not using and freeing their memory. Inactive tabs reload when you return to them, so switching back to an old tab can take a moment.

Will resetting Chrome delete my bookmarks and passwords?

Resetting Chrome does not delete or change saved bookmarks and passwords, according to Google. The reset does clear cookies and site data, turn off extensions and restore the default search engine, homepage and startup tabs.

Should I turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome?

Hardware acceleration in Chrome should stay on unless pages, scrolling or video stutter across many sites. The setting is called “Use graphics acceleration when available” under Settings > System, and turning it off on a healthy computer can make Chrome slower because the processor takes over drawing work.

How many tabs are too many in Chrome?

The number of tabs that is too many in Chrome depends on your computer’s memory and on how heavy each site is, so Google does not publish a fixed limit. Chrome’s Task Manager shows the memory each tab uses, and Memory Saver reduces the cost of tabs you are not using.