Google Chrome is a popular web browser known for its speed and efficiency. In this guide, we will explore various methods to solve Google Chrome's memory and CPU usage problems.
Step 1: Update Chrome
Make sure you are using the latest version of Google Chrome. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can help reduce memory and CPU usage.
1. Click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of Chrome.
2. Hover over "Help" in the dropdown menu.
3. Select "About Google Chrome".
4. The browser will automatically check for updates and install them if available.
5. Restart your browser after the update is complete.
Step 2: Identify Problematic Tabs or Extensions
Sometimes specific tabs or extensions within Chrome can be responsible for high memory or CPU usage. Identifying these problematic elements allows you to take appropriate action.
1. Open Task Manager by right-clicking on an empty space in your taskbar and selecting "Task Manager". Alternatively, press Shift + Esc while in Google Chrome.
2. In Task Manager, click on "Memory" to sort processes by memory usage.
3. Identify any tabs/extensions consuming excessive resources by looking at their corresponding values under Memory/Process/CPU columns.
4a) Close unnecessary tabs: Right-click on a tab consuming too much memory
/CPU usage (based on your judgment) and select "Close tab".
4b) Disable troublesome extensions: To identify extensions causing issues, note their names from Task Manager's process list (e.
g., Adblocker). Go back to your browser window:
- Type chrome:
//extensions/ into the address bar.
- Locate the extension you wish to disable based on its name from Task Manager's process list.
- Toggle off/on (depending on its current status), disabling/enabling the extension.
Step 3: Clear Browsing Data
Over time, your browsing data accumulates and can contribute to increased memory usage. Clearing this data can help improve Chrome's performance.
1. Open Chrome settings by clicking on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and selecting "Settings".
2. Scroll down and click on "Advanced" to expand advanced settings.
3. Under "Privacy and security", select "Clear browsing data".
4. Choose a time range (e.g., last hour, last 24 hours, all-time) or select specific items you want to clear.
5. Click "Clear data" to remove the selected browsing data.
Step 4: Reset Chrome Settings
If previous steps haven't resolved memory and CPU usage issues, resetting Chrome settings might help eliminate any configuration-related problems without affecting your bookmarks or saved passwords.
1. Open Chrome settings using the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
2. Scroll down and click on "Advanced" to access advanced settings.
3. At the bottom, under "Reset and clean up," select "Restore settings to their original defaults."
4. Click on "Reset Settings" when prompted for confirmation.
5. Restart your browser after reset completion.
Step 5: Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration allows Chrome to utilize your computer's hardware resources for better performance but sometimes could lead to issues with memory or CPU usage.
1a) In case you can access Google Chrome:
- Open Chrome settings via three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
- Scroll down again until you reach advanced options.
- Underneath it, find “System” subsection (if not visible within these options).
- Toggle off/on “Use hardware acceleration when available” option accordingly.
1b) In case you cannot access Google Chrome:
- Right-click on your desktop shortcut for Google chrome (or its executable file wherever located).
- Select “Properties” from the context menu.
- Navigate to the “Shortcut” tab.
- Add a space after chrome.exe" within the Target field, followed by --disable-gpu (e.g., ".../chrome.exe" --disable-gpu).
- Click "Apply" and then "OK".
Step 6: Use a Lightweight Alternative
If all else fails, and you still experience high memory or CPU usage with Google Chrome, consider using a lighter alternative browser. Some options include Mozilla Firefox, Opera, or Microsoft Edge.
Remember that reducing memory and CPU usage in Google Chrome may require different solutions for different users. Experimenting with these steps should help you find an effective solution based on your specific circumstances.