Why is Chrome So Slow? How to Speed Up Your Chrome Browser

Why is Chrome so slow? We understand your pain because we asked ourselves this question in the past. The good news is that there are things you can do to speed up Chrome.

Slow Chrome performance can happen for many reasons. This guide discusses common issues such as overloaded cache, outdated Chrome settings, and too many extensions. By the end of our guide, you will know everything you need to speed up Chrome and improve your browsing experience.

Why is Chome slow?

If your Chrome browser is too slow, you are in the right place! In this guide, we have pinpointed why Chrome gets slower. The main reasons why Chrome gets slow are:

• You need to restart Chrome
• Your version of Chome needs updating
• You have too many extensions installed
• You have out-of-date or malicious extensions
• You have too many Chrome tabs open

Keep scrolling to learn how to solve all these problems to get Chrome running faster again!

Can restarting Chrome make it faster?

Yes. A slow-running Chrome browser is often caused by something simple.

If you have had your Chrome browser open for weeks or even months, this could be the reason for your slow-running browser. We advise that you reset your machine and Chrome browser. This can help reconfigure things and iron out any kinks.

To speed up your Chrome browser as quickly as possible, follow these steps:

1. Close your Chrome browser.
2. Restart your machine.

This method often works to reset your browser and get it running fast again!

Update Chrome to speed it up

Restarting your Chrome is even more likely to make it faster if Chrome is displaying the “New Chrome available” message in the top right:

If you see this message, it is a good idea to restart your Chrome browser right away. Installing the latest version of Chrome usually makes it run much faster.

Worried about losing your tabs?

If you’re hesitant to close Chrome because of important tabs, using Task Manager to force close Chrome can be an effective workaround. While it may seem counterintuitive, forcing Chrome to crash often allows you to recover tabs upon reopening.

When you restart Chrome after a forced crash, it will display the following message:

“Chrome didn’t shut down correctly. Do you want to restore your tabs?”

This method works well if you’re concerned about losing tabs during an update. It ensures Chrome refreshes and updates properly without risking your open tabs.

We strongly recommend using this method when you see the “New Chrome available” message. Ignoring this prompt could force Chrome to restart later, which is when you’re most likely to lose all your tabs.

How do extensions and plugins slow down Chrome’s speed?

Chrome extensions can improve your browser’s functionality. Extensions are the best way to improve your privacy and optimize your browsing experience.

Although we always advise using browser extensions like uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger, it is essential to remember that each extension uses up system resources. If you have too many Chrome extensions installed, they could eat up your computer’s memory (RAM), slowing down your browsing experience.

If Chrome is running slow on your Mac or Windows laptop, it is a good idea to check if you have too many extensions installed. To speed up Chrome, remove any extensions you no longer need.

Follow the steps below to remove unwanted extensions from Chrome: 

1. Head to Chrome settings and select Extensions to manage your add-ons.
2. Click Remove next to each extension that you no longer need.

If you aren’t sure whether you need an extension, you can disable extensions temporarily. By disabling rather than removing extensions, you can check which extensions are causing Chrome’s performance to slow down.

How do temporary internet files slow down Chrome?

From the moment you download and install Chrome browser, it accumulates files that can contribute to performance problems. Cached files, cookies, browsing history information, passwords, and other files are supposed to help websites load faster – but this isn’t always the case.

Over time, these temporary files can start clogging up your browser. Rather than making your browsing experience faster, the files accumulate and start making your browsing experience sluggish.

The easiest solution is to clear your Chrome cache, cookies, and history. This will turn back the hands of Father Time – giving your slow browser the much-needed reset it craves.

To clear your Chome cache and cookies, follow these simple steps:

1. Navigate to Chrome settings and click on Privacy and Security.
2. Select Clear browsing data, and check the options for cache, cookies, and history.

This will delete dozens of pesky files, which helps Chrome run faster. Just remember that deleting cookies and cache may result in you being logged out of some services, and you will need to re-enter your credentials and passwords, which may have been auto-filling thanks to your cache.

Do open tabs affect my Chrome browser performance?

Yes. Having too many tabs open is the easiest way to get super-slow Chrome performance.

Each Chrome tab you open uses between 30 and a few hundred MB of RAM. The amount of RAM each page uses depends on how resource-intensive the tab is. Does it contain third-party scripts, image files, and videos? The more information on the page, the more memory it will consume.

Unfortunately, if you have 40 tabs open, this will start to add up, resulting in a decrease in Chrome performance. This problem is even more noticeable if your device is low on RAM. We advise keeping only essential tabs open to improve your browsing experience and optimize Chrome’s performance.

If you have many tabs open and don’t know which ones you will need moving forward, you can also use Chrome’s built-in Memory Saver feature. Chrome’s Memory Saver feature automatically deactivates tabs you haven’t used. This frees up your memory, which helps Chrome run faster.

To enable Memory Saver, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome settings and click on Performance
2. Turn on Memory Saver.

How to Speed Up Chrome

Now that you know why Chrome is running slowly, you are in the best possible position to fix it. We explained most of the necessary steps above. However, we have included a detailed checklist below to make your life as easy as possible.

How to speed up Chome troubleshooting checklist:

1. Remove old extensions: Too many extensions (and outdated ones) can significantly impact Chrome speed. To speed things up, remove unnecessary extensions.
2. Clear cache and cookies: A simple way to improve Chrome’s speed is to clear out temporary internet files. Once temporary files have been deleted, Chrome will act like it did when it was new, which can significantly improve page loading and general Chrome performance.
3. Close unused tabs: Having too many tabs open eats up your system’s memory. Close the tabs you don’t need.
4. Update Chrome: Always check that Chrome is up to date. Updates include performance improvements and fixes for security vulnerabilities. Even worse, leaving the old version running when an update is available directly leads to a much slower Chrome.
5. Enable hardware acceleration: This setting lets your GPU deal with graphic-intensive tasks more easily, resulting in a faster browser.
6. Use extensions to block ads and scripts: Ads and third-party scripts can slow browsing. Extensions like uBlock Origin can help block ads and trackers, leading to faster page loading.
7. Try a VPN with ad and tracker blocking: VPNs like NordVPN, IPVanish, and Surfshark offer built-in ad and tracker blocking. This blocks ads at the server level using DNS filtering, which speeds up page load times and reduces data usage. It also takes some of the pressure off your extensions.
8. Update your operating system and drivers. Ensure that all your drivers (graphics, audio, kernel, modem, etc.) are current. An out-of-date Operating System and old drivers can lead to serious performance issues that cause your machine to run slowly.

What are the best VPNs to speed up Chrome?

If you want a VPN that speeds up Chrome by blocking ads at the server level, we have recommended the best VPNs for Chrome below. These VPNs include DNS-based ad blocking.

If you are interested in a free VPN for Chrome, follow the link. However, please remember that a premium VPN with fast servers and ad blocking performs much better than those free VPN options. Trustworthy free VPNs only offer a basic version for free. This comes with a limited number of servers, slower speeds, and download limits.

For unlimited VPN use that can help speed up Chrome, we recommend the following VPNs:

1. NordVPN: Best VPN to speed up Chrome. Ultra-fast servers, DNS-based ad blocking with CyberSec, and comes with an easy-to-use Chrome extension. 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Fast speeds and unlimited connections. CleanWeb feature for DNS-based ad blocking. Comes with a lightweight Chrome extension. 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. IPVanish: Known for its robust server network, fast connections, and advanced privacy features. Provides DNS-based ad blocking.
4. ExpressVPN: Lightway protocol is ideal for faster browsing. Apps for all platforms include ad and tracker blocking. 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. CyberGhost VPN: Great for beginners. Fast speeds and a wide choice of servers.  Has streaming optimized servers for dozens of platforms and countries. Includes ad blocking for Chrome users.
6. ProtonVPN: A highly advanced VPN with native ad blocking. Offers high speeds and many advanced features, including port forwarding for torrenting.

Check your computer for malware

If you have implemented all the troubleshooting tips above, scanning for malware is a good idea. Malicious applications like spyware, threatware, and malware can slow your computer.

Using an antivirus program like Malwarebytes, Norton, or Avast allows you to detect and remove any recently installed programs that are slowing down your computer (and browser).

Malware and security vulnerabilities are severe threats to your privacy, so if malware is causing Chrome to run slowly, you must immediately fix the problem. Otherwise, you could be victimized by identity theft, fraud, and other serious crimes.

Resetting Chrome to default settings

If you have already updated your Chrome but are still struggling with slow speeds, we advise resetting Chrome to its default settings. Some of your settings may have been set incorrectly, which could result in persistent issues.

To reset Chrome to its default settings, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome and head to Settings
2. Select Reset and clean up
3. Click Restore settings to their original defaults.

This will remove all custom settings, extensions, and cookies, making it a great way to quickly restore Chrome to its former glory (which should make it run faster).

How does Chrome’s memory-saving feature work?

Chrome’s Memory Saver helps improve your browser’s performance. It works by reducing the memory used by inactive tabs. When Chrome Memory Saver deactivates tabs, the memory they use is also released. This takes the pressure off your system resources and is particularly useful if you have a computer with low RAM.

If you want to test this helpful feature on your device, you can turn it on by heading to Settings > Performance. However, we advise that you do not abuse this feature. Using Memory Saver as an excuse to leave more tabs open is a bad idea. Do your best to close tabs as you go along and only keep essential tabs open.

Should I change to an alternate browser?

If you are considering alternative browsers, you may have exhausted all our troubleshooting tips. If you used our checklist to speed up Chrome but are still experiencing slow browsing problems, you may want to test another browser.

Please note that Chrome is a fast browser, which is why so many people use it. If your computer struggles to run Chrome, it could be a sign that you have a more serious problem. If you remember a time when your computer could run Chrome smoothly, this is cause for concern. We advise running a full malware scan using an up-to-date antivirus.

There are other reasons that your computer might be struggling. For example, your computer’s hard drive might be full, which can lead to performance problems that cause your computer to freeze regularly. Under these circumstances, it is unlikely that installing another browser (which will eat up even more real estate on your hard drive) will solve the problem.

If your hard drive has plenty of space, your device could be suffering from compatibility problems. You must check that your operating system and drivers are up-to-date. If you are sure your computer is up to date and has space for a new browser, testing an alternate browser is a good idea.

Browsers like Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Avast Secure Browser offer different features that might provide a faster web browsing experience.

Is my ad blocker slowing down Chrome?

Ads and third-party scripts can slow down Chrome by consuming bandwidth and system resources. This is why we recommend using ad blockers, tracker blockers, and extensions designed to block third-party scripts.

A reliable ad blocker like Adblock Plus or uBlock Origin can make Chrome faster. However, some users have reported performance issues when using Adblock Plus.

According to reports, Adblock Plus has been linked to Chrome becoming slow. The problem is particularly bad when using YouTube. For example, users report lag when pausing videos and issues when typing comments.

If you have noticed bad performance when using Chrome with Adblock Plus, we recommend disabling or removing the extension. If this solves your problem, you can switch to an alternative ad blocker.

For an even better experience, we advise using a VPN like Surfshark or NordVPN. These VPNs provide DNS-based ad blocking, which takes pressure off your system and extensions. DNS filtering removes ads at the server level -before they travel over the internet to your computer.

Using a VPN will speed up your browsing while also protecting your privacy. A VPN stops local networks, ISPs, and other unwanted third parties from monitoring your online activities, hides your IP address from the websites you visit, and allows you to bypass censorship and region blocks.

How can I speed up the Chrome browser on a Mac?

If you’re using Chrome on a MacBook, try some macOS-specific troubleshooting tips. These tips will help if Chrome is running slowly on macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia.

Mac-specific optimization for Chrome:

1. Speed Up Chrome Mac: Clear your Chrome cache and cookies, disable unnecessary extensions, and ensure your macOS is up-to-date.
2. Hardware Acceleration: Enable hardware acceleration in Chrome. Bear in mind that Safari has hardware acceleration turned on by default, and it cannot be disabled. In Chrome, you can toggle it on and off by heading to Settings > System > Use hardware acceleration when available.
3. Fix Slow Chrome MacBook Pro: Use Chrome’s Memory Saver feature to reduce resource usage. Close unused tabs and regularly check for updates.
4. Chrome Slow macOS Ventura: If Chrome is still running too slow, consider resetting Chrome or switching to an alternative like Safari, which is optimized for macOS.
5. Use a VPN for Mac. A VPN for Mac improves your privacy and can help speed up Chrome by blocking ads.

Why is Chrome so slow FAQs