Quick answer
Chrome is most often slowed down by too many extensions, accumulated cache and too many open tabs. In five minutes you can disable suspicious extensions, clear the cache, close unnecessary tabs and check whether hardware acceleration is enabled. If it is still slow after that, the problem is probably in the profile, the network or the computer itself.
How to recognize the problem
- Pages take several seconds longer to open than before
- Scrolling and typing lag, especially with multiple tabs
- Chrome uses a large share of memory and processor
- The computer heats up and the fan is louder
- Video and image-heavy sites stutter
Most common causes
Too many extensions
Every extension loads at startup and uses memory, even when you are not using it. A few of them can noticeably slow down every page.
Accumulated cache and site data
Over time a large amount of temporary files builds up and slows down loading. This is most noticeable on slower disks and older computers.
Too many open tabs
Every tab uses memory, and Chrome often processes them in separate processes. When memory runs out, the system starts swapping data to disk and everything becomes slow.
Hardware acceleration disabled
If Chrome does not use the graphics card to draw pages, rendering goes through the processor and can be significantly slower.
Slow internet or a bad profile
Sometimes Chrome is not to blame: a slow connection or a corrupted user profile produces the same effect. That is why you should first check whether another browser is also slow.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Close unnecessary tabs
Close all tabs you do not currently need, especially those with video content and social networks. Leave only a few active. If you do not want to lose them, save them to bookmarks before closing.
- 2
Disable suspicious extensions
In the address bar open
chrome://extensionsand review the list. Use the toggle to turn off all extensions you do not use daily, then check whether the speed improved. Do not delete them right away, it is enough to disable them until you find the culprit. - 3
Remove unnecessary extensions
If performance noticeably improved after disabling, delete the extensions you do not need by clicking
Remove. Keep only those you really use and that come from known publishers. - 4
Clear the cache without losing data
Go to
Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Select the time rangeAll time, check onlyCached images and filesand clickClear data. Do not check the cookies item if you do not want to be signed out of sites, nor the passwords item if you do not want to lose saved passwords. - 5
Check hardware acceleration
Open
Settings > Systemand find the optionUse graphics acceleration when available. If it is off, turn it on and restart Chrome. If it is on and Chrome stutters, try turning it off, restart Chrome and compare performance. - 6
Update Chrome
Click the three dots in the top right corner, then
Helpand the item with information about Chrome. Chrome will check for and install updates automatically. If an update has been downloaded, clickRelaunchto apply it. - 7
Check the network and other programs
Open the same site in another browser or in an incognito tab. If it is also slow in the other browser, the problem is probably in the connection or the computer, not in Chrome. Close programs running in the background that use the processor, then test again.
If nothing helped: a new profile
When all the steps do not produce a result, the problem is probably in the Chrome user profile. Create a new profile via the profile icon in the top right corner and the Add option. If the new profile is fast, switch to it and, if sync was enabled, sign in with your Google account to restore bookmarks and passwords. Do not delete the old profile until you have checked that your data is synced. If Chrome is slow only at work, check with the administrator whether there are network policies or security programs slowing down traffic. On older computers with little RAM, adding memory often has a bigger effect than any browser setting.
How to prevent it
- Regularly close tabs you do not need
- Keep a small number of extensions and review them from time to time
- Occasionally clear the cache, but not cookies if you do not want to be signed out
- Update Chrome and the operating system when a notification appears
When to call a professional
Contact IT support if Chrome is slow on all profiles and in other browsers, if the computer constantly uses the processor even after closing the browser, or if you suspect malware.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Does clearing the cache remove passwords and sign me out of sites?
No, if you check only `Cached images and files`. Sign-ins (sessions) are stored in cookies, so do not clear the cookies item if you want to stay signed in. Saved passwords in Chrome are not deleted by this action.
How many extensions are too many for Chrome?
There is no exact number, but every extension uses memory and slows down startup. If you have more than ten, check which ones you really use and disable the rest.
Why is Chrome slow only on some sites?
That usually means the site itself has a lot of ads, video or scripts, not that the browser is broken. Try the same site in an incognito tab or with extensions disabled to see the difference.