If Google Chrome is running slow, the usual cause is too many open tabs and extensions using your computer’s memory. To speed it up, open Chrome’s own Task Manager (Shift + Esc on Windows, or More > More tools > Task manager) to find the tab or extension using the most memory, close it, and remove extensions you do not need. Then turn on Memory Saver in Settings > Performance, update Chrome, and restart it. If Chrome still lags, try turning hardware acceleration off or on, scan for unwanted software and, as a last step, reset Chrome’s settings. This guide covers every fix, based on Google’s official Chrome Help pages.
Quick fixes (try in this order)
- Find the heavy tab or extension with Chrome’s Task Manager and close it.
- Remove extensions you no longer use.
- Turn on Memory Saver so idle tabs stop using memory.
- Update Chrome and restart it.
- Restart your computer.
- Toggle hardware acceleration if pages stutter or flicker.
- Check for unwanted software that may be slowing the browser.
- Reset Chrome settings if nothing else helps.
Step 1: Use Chrome’s Task Manager to find the problem
Chrome has its own task manager that shows how much memory and CPU each tab and extension is using.
- Press Shift + Esc on Windows or Chromebook. On a Mac, click the three-dot More menu, then More tools > Task manager.
- Click the Memory footprint column to sort by memory use.
- Select the tab or extension at the top of the list and click End process.
Websites with videos, live feeds, web apps and many ads are often the worst offenders. You can also see each tab’s memory by hovering over it: go to Settings > Appearance and turn on Show tab memory usage (on Mac, Show memory usage on tab hover preview card).
Step 2: Remove extensions you do not need
Every extension runs in the background and uses memory, and a badly made one can slow down every page. Google’s first troubleshooting step is to close other tabs and extensions and uninstall the ones you do not need.
- Type
chrome://extensionsin the address bar and press Enter. - Turn off extensions you rarely use, and click Remove on ones you do not recognize.
- If Chrome becomes fast, turn your extensions back on one at a time to find the one causing trouble.
Be extra careful with extensions you did not install yourself. Some unwanted extensions show ads or track browsing. Our guide on checking app permissions explains why it is worth reviewing what you allow.
Step 3: Turn on Memory Saver
Memory Saver makes inactive tabs give back their memory to the tabs you are using. When you return to a sleeping tab, it reloads automatically.
- Click More (three dots, top right) > Settings > Performance.
- Turn on Memory Saver.
- Choose a level: Moderate, Balanced (recommended) or Maximum. Maximum puts tabs to sleep fastest and saves the most memory.
If a site must stay active, such as a web chat or a music player, click Add next to Always keep these sites active. Google notes that tabs playing audio or video, sharing your screen, downloading files or holding a half-filled form are not put to sleep.
On a laptop, turn on Energy Saver in the same Performance page. It only runs when your laptop is unplugged or the battery is low, and it limits background activity to save power.
Step 4: Update and restart Chrome
- Click More > Help > About Google Chrome. Chrome checks for updates and installs them.
- Click Relaunch.
To restart Chrome without losing your tabs, press Ctrl + Q on Windows or Cmd + Q on Mac, reopen Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + T (Cmd + Shift + T on Mac) to bring your tabs back. If you have dozens of tabs open, consider bookmarking them in a folder instead.
Step 5: Restart your computer
Restarting clears memory used by other apps and finishes pending system updates. If your whole computer is slow, not just Chrome, see our guide on how to speed up a slow laptop.
Step 6: Turn hardware acceleration off (or on)
Hardware acceleration uses your graphics chip to draw pages and videos. On some computers it causes stuttering, black screens or flickering instead.
- Go to More > Settings > System.
- Turn off Use hardware acceleration when available.
- Click Relaunch.
If Chrome gets slower afterwards, turn it back on. It should usually be on for smooth video playback.
Step 7: Check for unwanted software
Malware and adware can slow Chrome, change your homepage or add pop-up ads. Signs include new toolbars, search results going to an unfamiliar search engine and ads on sites that normally have none. Run a scan with your antivirus app (Windows Security is built into Windows), and on a Mac remove apps you do not recognize from the Applications folder. Then run Chrome’s Safety Check under Settings > Privacy and security.
Step 8: Reset Chrome settings
If Chrome is still slow, reset its settings. This turns off all extensions and resets your startup page, search engine and pinned tabs, but keeps your bookmarks, history and saved passwords.
- Go to More > Settings > Reset settings.
- Click Restore settings to their original defaults, then Reset settings.
If that does not help, Google suggests uninstalling Chrome, checking the box to delete browsing data, and reinstalling it. Sync your bookmarks and passwords to your Google Account first.
Is it Chrome, the website or your internet?
| What you notice | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Every site is slow, other apps are fine | Tabs, extensions or Chrome settings | Steps 1 to 3 |
| Only one site is slow | That website | Open it in another browser to compare |
| Pages load slowly in every browser | Your internet connection | Run a speed test, restart the router |
| The whole computer is slow | Low memory or a busy system | Close apps, restart, check startup apps |
| Videos stutter or the screen flickers | Graphics or hardware acceleration | Step 6 |
Google recommends opening the slow page in another browser, such as Firefox, Edge or Safari. If it is slow there too, the problem is the site or your connection, not Chrome. Test your connection with our free internet speed test, and if Wi-Fi shows connected but pages never load, read Wi-Fi connected but no internet.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Chrome use so much memory?
Chrome runs each tab and extension as a separate process. This keeps one crashing tab from taking down the whole browser, but it uses more memory. Memory Saver and fewer extensions reduce the load.
Does clearing the cache make Chrome faster?
Not usually. The cache helps pages load faster. Clearing it can fix a single site that is broken or shows old content, but it rarely speeds up Chrome overall.
How many tabs is too many?
It depends on your computer’s memory. On a laptop with 8 GB of RAM, dozens of heavy tabs can slow everything down. Turn on Memory Saver and close tabs you are not using.
Will resetting Chrome delete my bookmarks?
No. Resetting keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. It turns off extensions and resets settings like your startup page and search engine.
Make Chrome fast again
Start with the Task Manager, remove extensions you do not need and turn on Memory Saver. Those three steps fix most slow Chrome problems in a few minutes. To keep your browser safe while you clean it up, see how to spot phishing emails and texts.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help: Personalize Chrome performance
- Google Chrome Help: Fix Chrome if it crashes or will not open
This article is based on the official documentation and reporting listed in the sources above, checked on November 3, 2026. Features and prices change, so confirm details on the official pages before you buy. ShokokoTech does not accept payment for coverage. Read our editorial policy.
