Chrome is the most used browser in the world, dominating across all the prominent platforms like PC and handheld devices. According to the data crunched by StatCounter, about 65 percent of the world’s browser market share belongs to Chrome.
Google Chrome is one of the OG browsers that has been around since 2008 when it was introduced. Although other browsers built on the same Chromium engine as Chrome soon followed, Chrome’s popularity never faded away. Its massive base is proof of this fact.
I have been a long-time Chrome , along with millions of others who trust the brand value of Google. However, that does not take away the annoying technical issues that Chrome browser often showcases, which drastically affect the browser’s performance.
I have often experienced Chrome browser window freezing to eternity when seven to eight tabs are open and the browser issues a warning regarding load on the memory that is causing Chrome to slow down to a point where I would have no choice but to close a couple of tabs or relaunch the browser.
A major problem with Chrome is its excessive usage of RAM when several tabs are open at the same time. Sometimes, even opening as less as 4 tabs can consume up to 3 GB of memory, resulting in slow loading of pages, freezing tabs, or crashing of the browser. In this guide, we will discuss what causes the excessive RAM usage of Chrome and what you can do to fix the issue.
Reasons for Chrome Using Excessive RAM
In some genuine cases, the memory consumption of Chrome will be higher if you are opening multiple webpages that are designed using heavy JavaScript code.
I dived into the depths of the internet-based tech forums to find out what other Chrome s have to say about the browser’s staggering consumption of memory.
It turns out that most s have faced this problem multiple times when using Chrome. According to several Reddit s, unused Chrome extensions can silently contribute to Chrome’s excessive usage of RAM.
Allowing Chrome to run apps in the background even when it has been closed will put a load on the computer’s memory. When your PC has a limited amount of memory and you leave unused tabs open in Chrome, that will keep consuming memory along with a dozen other tasks and apps that, of course, require the use of RAM to function properly.
Tips to Reduce RAM Usage of Chrome
Implement some of these tried and tested tips to reduce the use of RAM while browsing on Chrome.
Close the Unused Tabs
Chrome issues a performance issue alert when multiple tabs are open in the browser. Now, you may not use all of the tabs at a time. So, to adjust the performance of the browser, close the unused yet active tabs.
- Simply click the x icon on the tab to close it.
- Alternatively, right-click on the browser tab and select Close.
You can even highlight a tab by clicking on it and pressing Ctrl + W to close it.
Remove Unused Chrome Extensions
Almost every Chrome has dozens of unused Chrome extensions installed on their browser that they have not been using regularly. Unused Chrome extensions cause more RAM usage, along with the other functions that Chrome actively manages.
To remove Chrome extensions,
- Launch Chrome and go to Chrome://extensions.
- Click the Remove button under the extensions you want to uninstall.
Enable Memory Saver on Chrome
There is a lesser-known feature on Chrome that, when enabled, can free up resources from unused and inactive browser tabs and allocate the same to active tabs. Later, when you switch to inactive tabs, the resources are allocated back to them. This feature on Chrome is called Memory Saver.
To improve the performance of Chrome and reduce the resource wastage on inactive tabs, turn on memory saver on Chrome.
- Go to Chrome settings by typing Chrome://settings in the URL bar.
- In the Chrome settings search , type “memory saver“(without quotes).
- In the search result, when Memory Saver appears, press the toggle next to it and enable the feature.
Monitor Memory Allocation on Chrome Task Manager
When you come across Chrome performing slowly or frequently issuing a performance issue alert, you can access Chrome’s built-in Task Manager to check resource consumption by active browser tabs.
You can close the processes that are consuming excessive memory to improve Chrome’s performance.
- Open Chrome browser.
- Press Shift + Esc to view the Chrome Task Manager.
- Click on the process that is consuming excessive memory.
- Press the End Process button to close the process.
Turn on Graphic Acceleration on Chrome
When there is too much load on the memory to run Chrome smoothly, why not share the responsibility with the GPU?
If you have a capable GPU on your PC and the webpages you are loading require a substantial amount of firepower to process the visuals on it, the GPU will show up as a lifesaver.
Enable the graphic acceleration on Chrome, and that should reduce the load on RAM while browsing some pages that may genuinely need high processing power.
To enable graphic acceleration on Chrome,
- Open the Chrome browser.
- Type Chrome://settings/system in the URL bar to access the Chrome system settings page.
- Press the toggle next to Use Graphics Acceleration when Available.
Disable Running Background Apps when Chrome is Closed
Stop Chrome from running tasks in the background when it is not in use to reduce the RAM usage.
- In the Chrome URL box, type Chrome://settings/system and press the Enter key.
- Turn off the toggle next to “Continue Running Background Apps when Google Chrome is Closed”.
Update Chrome to its Latest Build
Sometimes, the issue may lie with the current version of Chrome you are using. It may have a bug that is causing the spike in memory usage when you launch multiple tabs on Chrome. Normally, Chrome updates itself to the latest build when the PC is connected to the internet. You can always manually check for available updates.
- Open Chrome browser and type Chrome://settings in the URL bar.
- Click About Chrome on the left sidebar.
- Chrome should start checking for a new build and automatically it.
- Relaunch Chrome after the update.
Reset Chrome
When every other troubleshooting tip fails to mitigate the excessive RAM usage issue on Chrome, consider resetting the browser to its default settings.
To reset Chrome,
- Launch Chrome browser on your PC.
- In the URL box, type Chrome://settings and press the Enter key.
- Click Reset Settings on the left sidebar.
- Press on “Restore Settings to their Original Defaults.”
- Click the Reset Settings button to confirm and proceed.
Find an Alternative to Chrome
Are you still observing Chrome demanding an excessive amount of RAM to handle tabs and pages? It’s about time you found an alternative to the Chrome browser. Consider switching to a lightweight browser, such as Firefox.
You can Zen browser, which tech experts are advocating as a capable alternative to Chrome, Edge, and other prominent browsers.
Seamless Browsing on Chrome with Less RAM Usage
Chrome browser is the lifeline for millions who rely on it as a daily driver for their work for years. The excessive RAM usage can affect the browser’s performance and hamper your work, which is an undesirable situation. The tips shared in the guide should help you manage memory utilization on Chrome to facilitate seamless browsing and smooth performance.
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