Is your Chrome browser slowing down your computer? Here are 7 ways to reduce the amount of memory Chrome is using in 2022. Some are easy, some are more difficult – but all will help!
By reducing the amount of memory Chrome is using, you’ll free up precious resources for other programs and improve your computer’s performance. Let’s get started!
- Use a task manager to identify which tabs are using up the most memory:
- Close any unnecessary tabs that are open:
- Change your browser settings to reduce the amount of memory Chrome uses:
- Delete your browsing history and cookies regularly:
- Optimize your computer’s hardware for better performance with Chrome:
- 1. Update your graphics drivers
- 2. Use hardware acceleration when available
- 3. Reduce the amount of data that’s being downloaded
- 4. Use a faster Internet connection
- 5. Close tabs that you’re not using
- 6. Restart Chrome
- 7. Check for malware
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words
Use a task manager to identify which tabs are using up the most memory:
If you’re noticing your computer slowing down, it could be due to too many tabs open in your browser. To see which tabs are using up the most memory, open up your task manager (on a Mac, go to Activity Monitor in the Utilities folder).
Click on the Memory tab and you’ll see a list of all the programs currently running, including your web browser. The ones at the top of the list are using up the most memory.
If you see that your browser is using a lot of memory, try closing some tabs. You can also try using a different web browser; some are more efficient with memory than others.
For example, Google Chrome is known for being a lightweight browser.
If you’re still having trouble with your computer’s speed, it could be due to other factors, such as a virus or too many programs running in the background.
But if you suspect that it’s due to your web browser, the task manager should help you identify the problem tabs.
Troubleshooting tip: If your task manager doesn’t show a memory tab, you may need to update your operating system. On a Windows 10 computer, for example, the Memory tab only appears if you have at least 4GB of RAM.
Close any unnecessary tabs that are open:
Every time you open a new tab, it takes up valuable resources on your computer. So, if you have any tabs that you’re not using, close them to help improve your computer’s performance.
In addition, try to avoid having too many tabs open at the same time. If you find yourself constantly opening new tabs, see if there’s a way to streamline your workflow so that you don’t have to rely on tabs as much.
For example, if you’re constantly checking email, see if there’s a way to set up email notifications so that you don’t have to keep opening your inbox in a new tab.
Disable extensions that you don’t use often or at all:
If you’ve installed a lot of extensions, they might be slowing down your browser. To see if an extension is causing performance problems:
- 1. Open Chrome.
- 2. In the top right, click More More tools Extensions.
- 3. On the extension, click Remove.
- 4. Go back to the extension and click Add to Chrome.
- 5. A dialog box will appear. Click Add extension.
If you don’t see the extension in the list, it’s been disabled. To re-enable the extension:
- 1. In the top right, click More More tools Extensions.
- 2. Next to the extension you want to enable, select the switch.
- 3. A dialog box will appear. Click Enable extension.
- 4. The extension will be enabled.
Change your browser settings to reduce the amount of memory Chrome uses:
If you’re using a lot of tabs and extensions, Chrome may be using a significant amount of memory. You can reduce the amount of data Chrome stores on your device by changing some settings: On your computer, open Chrome.
At the top right, click More. Click Settings. At the bottom, click Show advanced settings. Under “Privacy,” click Content settings. Under “Cookies,” select Keep local data only until you quit your browser. Close all tabs and restart Chrome.
If you’re still seeing high memory usage after these changes, try opening fewer tabs at a time. You can also try using a different browser.
As you browse the web, Chrome’s memory usage grows and shrinks. Reducing the amount of memory used can help your device run more smoothly.
Turn off extensions
Extensions are one of the most common reasons for high memory usage in Chrome. If you’re using a lot of extensions, try turning some of them off: On your computer, open Chrome. At the top right, click More . Click Settings.
At the bottom, click Show advanced settings. Under “Privacy,” click Content settings. Under “Cookies,” select Keep local data only until you quit your browser. Close all tabs and restart Chrome.
If you’re still seeing high memory usage after these changes, try opening fewer tabs at a time. You can also try using a different browser.
As you browse the web, Chrome’s memory usage grows and shrinks. Reducing the amount of memory used can help your device run more smoothly.
Restart your device
If you’re still seeing high memory usage after trying the steps above, restarting your device may help. On your computer, open Chrome.
At the top right, click More . Click Settings. At the bottom, click Show advanced settings. Under “Privacy,” click Content settings. Under “Cookies,” select Keep local data only until you quit your browser. Close all tabs and restart Chrome.
If you’re still seeing high memory usage after these changes, try opening fewer tabs at a time. You can also try using a different browser. As you browse the web, Chrome’s memory usage grows and shrinks. Reducing the amount of memory used can help your device run more smoothly.
Use a different browser
If you’re still seeing high memory usage after trying the steps above, you may want to use a different browser. Depending on your device and operating system, you may have different options for browsers. Some popular browsers include:
- Safari (for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch)
- Firefox
Delete your browsing history and cookies regularly:
Browsing history and cookies can be used to track you online, so it’s important to delete them on a regular basis. In most browsers, you can do this by going to the “History” or “Settings” menu.
Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as remembering your login information or tracking your online activity.
Most browsers allow you to delete cookies individually, or you can clear all of them at once. To do this, go to the “Settings” or “Preferences” menu and look for the “Privacy” or “Security” settings.
You should also delete your browsing history regularly. This is the record of websites you’ve visited, which is stored in your browser.
Like cookies, it can be used to track your online activity. To clear your browsing history, go to the “History” or “Settings” menu in your browser. In some browsers, you can choose to have your history automatically cleared on a regular basis.
Optimize your computer’s hardware for better performance with Chrome:
1. Update your graphics drivers
Graphics drivers are the software that allow your computer’s operating system to communicate with your computer’s video card. Out-of-date drivers can often cause crashes, freezes, or other problems with Chrome.
For the best possible experience with Chrome, make sure that you’re using the latest version of your video drivers.
2. Use hardware acceleration when available
Chrome can take advantage of hardware acceleration features on some graphics cards and browsers. This means that Chrome will attempt to use your computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) to speed up the display of web pages.
Hardware acceleration can cause problems with some types of graphics, so if you’re experiencing issues with Chrome, you might want to turn it off.
3. Reduce the amount of data that’s being downloaded
One way to speed up your browsing experience is to reduce the amount of data that’s being downloaded. This can be done by disabling images and/or JavaScript in your browser settings. Doing this will make pages load faster, but some sites may not display correctly.
4. Use a faster Internet connection
A slower Internet connection can also cause pages to load slowly in Chrome. If you’re on a slow connection, try using a different browser or connecting to a faster network.
5. Close tabs that you’re not using
Chrome can sometimes use a lot of memory if you have a lot of tabs open. If your computer is running slow, try closing some tabs to free up memory.
6. Restart Chrome
If Chrome is still running slow, try restarting the browser. This will close all open tabs and windows, and start fresh with a new session.
7. Check for malware
Malware can cause all sorts of problems, including slow performance. If you suspect that your computer is infected, run a malware scan to see if anything is found.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop Chrome from using so much RAM?
Chrome can be a memory hog, and it’s not uncommon for it to use up 1GB or more of RAM. There are a few things you can do to help reduce its memory usage. One thing you can do is make sure that you only have the tabs that you need open. If you have too many tabs open, Chrome can start to slow down. So, if you’re not using a tab
Why is Chrome taking up so much memory?
There are a few possible explanations for why Chrome might be using more memory than usual. It could be that you have a lot of tabs and windows open, or that you have certain extensions or plugins running. Chrome is also known to use more memory when you have more than one tab open with video playing. So, if you’re noticing Chrome using a lot of memory, it could be for one of several reasons.
How do I stop Chrome from eating RAM and CPU?
One thing you can do is close tabs and windows that you’re not using. You can also try disabling or removing any extensions or plugins that you don’t need. And, if you have a video playing in more than one tab, try pausing the video or closing some of the tabs. If Chrome is still using a lot of resources, you can try restarting your computer or reinstalling Chrome.
How do I stop Chrome from opening multiple processes?
If you’re seeing multiple Chrome processes running, it could be because you have a lot of tabs and windows open. It could also be because you have certain extensions or plugins running. To reduce the number of Chrome processes, try closing some tabs and windows. You can also try disabling or removing any extensions or plugins that you don’t need. If you’re still seeing multiple processes, try restarting your computer or reinstalling Chrome.
Which browser is best for low RAM?
There is no definitive answer, as different browsers will work better for different people. However, some browsers are generally known to be more lightweight than others. For example, Opera is known for being a fairly lightweight browser. So, if you’re looking for a browser that uses less memory, Opera might be a good option to try.
Final Words
Chrome has always been a memory hog and it’s only getting worse. We’ve shown you seven ways to reduce Chrome’s memory usage in 2022.
Some are easier than others, but all will help keep the browser from crashing your computer. Have you tried any of these methods? Let us know in the comments section below.
