Chrome Running Slow How to Speed It Up

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Chrome Running Slow: How to Speed It Up

Pages take ages to open, typing lags, or Chrome freezes for a few seconds when you switch tabs. Chrome is usually slow for one of a few reasons: too many tabs, a heavy extension, an old version, or a slow connection. These steps work on Windows 10 and 11 and are listed from quickest to most thorough.

First: Is It Chrome or the Connection?

Open the same slow page in another browser, such as Microsoft Edge. If it's just as slow there, the problem is your internet or the website, not Chrome. For connection problems, start with this site can't be reached in Chrome or the Wi-Fi guides linked there.

1. Find What's Using Memory With Chrome's Task Manager

Chrome has its own Task Manager that shows each tab and extension.

In Chrome, press Shift + Esc (or select the three-dot menu > More tools > Task manager).
Select the Memory footprint column to sort, then the CPU column.
Select a tab or extension that uses far more than the rest and choose End process.

A single web app, video page or extension is often the culprit.

2. Close Tabs You Don't Need

Every open tab uses memory. Bookmark pages you want to keep (Ctrl + D) and close them, or use tab groups to keep them organised.

3. Turn On Memory Saver

Chrome can free memory from tabs you aren't using.

Go to the three-dot menu > Settings > Performance.
Turn on Memory Saver and choose Moderate, Balanced (recommended by Google) or Maximum.
To stop a site from being put to sleep - for example, a chat app - select Add next to Always keep these sites active.

A sleeping tab reloads when you return to it. Google notes that tabs playing audio or video, sharing your screen, or with half-filled forms stay active.

On a laptop, Energy Saver on the same page saves battery when unplugged. It can make animations and video less smooth, so turn it off if that bothers you.

4. Update Chrome

Go to the three-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome.
Chrome checks for updates and installs them.
Select Relaunch.

Updates fix bugs and speed problems as well as security holes.

5. Turn Off Extensions You Don't Need

Go to chrome://extensions (type it in the address bar).
Turn off every extension, then test Chrome.
If it's faster, turn them back on one at a time to find the slow one, and Remove it.

Remove any extension you don't remember installing. Some unwanted extensions slow Chrome and change your search engine.

6. Clear Browsing Data

A large cache can slow some sites.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
Choose a Time range (try Last 4 weeks first, or All time).
Tick Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then select Delete data.

Clearing cookies signs you out of most sites. See clear cache and cookies in Chrome, Edge and Firefox for details.

7. Check Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration uses the graphics card to draw pages. Usually it makes Chrome faster, but with some graphics drivers it causes lag or flickering.

Go to Settings > System.
Toggle Use graphics acceleration when available (turn it off if it's on, or on if it's off).
Select Relaunch and compare.

8. Reset Chrome Settings

If Chrome is still slow, reset its settings.

Go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Select Reset settings.

This resets your startup page, new tab page, search engine and pinned tabs, turns off extensions and clears temporary data. Bookmarks, history and saved passwords are kept.

9. Check the PC Itself

If every app is slow, not just Chrome, the problem is the PC:

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check whether Memory or Disk sits near 100%.
Stop apps that open at startup and run a malware scan with Windows Security.
See Windows running slow - 15 fixes.

Still Slow?

If Chrome keeps freezing or closing rather than just being slow, follow Chrome keeps crashing or freezing. Trying a new Chrome profile (select your profile picture > Add) is also a quick way to see whether your current profile is the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is Chrome using so much memory?

Each tab, extension and web app runs in its own process, so many open tabs and extensions add up. Open Chrome's Task Manager with Shift + Esc to see which one uses the most memory, and turn on Memory Saver in Settings > Performance.

What is Memory Saver in Chrome?

Memory Saver frees memory from tabs you aren't using. The tab stays in the tab strip and reloads when you go back to it. You can set it to Moderate, Balanced or Maximum and add sites that should always stay active.

Will resetting Chrome delete my bookmarks and passwords?

No. Reset settings restores the startup page, new tab page, search engine and pinned tabs, turns off extensions and clears temporary data such as cookies. Bookmarks, history and saved passwords are kept.

Is Chrome slow or is my internet slow?

Open the same page in another browser such as Edge. If it is just as slow, the problem is the connection or the website, not Chrome.