Chrome Using too much CPU? Here is how to fix it

Do you have a laptop that seems to be running slowly? Are you seeing the fan turn on more often than usual, even when you’re not doing anything strenuous with your computer? If so, it’s likely that Chrome is using too much CPU.

This can cause your computer to overheat and run slowly. In this article, we will show you how to fix this issue and keep Chrome from using up all of your CPU resources.

Why is Chrome using too much CPU?

There are a variety of reasons why Chrome might use so much CPU. It may be caused by malware, a virus, or some other problem, but it could also be normal behavior.

Here are the most common reasons for Chrome causing high RAM usage:

• Too many browser tabs open: Each tab that you have open in Chrome uses a certain amount of RAM. Having just a few tabs open won’t have an impact on your computer’s performance, but when you reach a dozen or more, CPU usage will rapidly rise.
• Unnecessary Extensions: If you have too many extensions installed, they can use up a lot of CPU resources. Some extensions are resource-demanding causing the high RAM usage. Even if an extension isn’t doing anything at the moment, it may still be using CPU in the background.
• Browsing unoptimized websites: If you’re visiting a lot of websites that are not optimized for performance, they may be causing your CPU usage to spike.
• Watching videos in high resolution: If you’re watching videos in high quality or resolution, it can put a strain on your CPU. It isn’t a secret that many of us frequently visit YouTube or other platforms like Twitch or Facebook to watch videos and streams. The more video tabs you have, the more CPU power Chrome will need. This is especially true if you’re viewing HD or 4K material.

How to fix Chrome using too much CPU issue?

Close Unnecessary Tabs

If Chrome is using too much RAM, one of the simplest solutions to solve the issue is to close the tabs that you’re not using. As we mentioned before, each tab uses a separate process, so the more tabs you have open, the more memory Chrome is going to use.

You should close all the unused tabs on your Chrome browser to speed up your system memory. After you’ve done that, you’ll notice a significant difference in memory utilization.

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Disable unnecessary or unwanted extensions

If you’re using too many extensions, it can also cause Chrome to use too much CPU power.

Extensions are small programs that add extra features to your web browser. They can be useful, but they can also slow down your browser and use up a lot of memory.

If you don’t need an extension, get rid of it. You can do this by going to the Chrome menu, then clicking on More Tools > Extensions. From there, you can disable or remove the extensions that you don’t want.

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Use Chrome Task Manager

The Chrome Task Manager is a built-in tool that lets you see how much memory and CPU each tab is using. You can use it to clear the unnecessary processes and solve high CPU usage in Chrome.

To open it, go to More Tools > Task Manager.

On the Chrome task manager, you will see all the active Chrome processes.

The Chrome Task Manager is similar to the Windows Task Manager in that it displays the activity and memory consumption of each tab and extension in the browser. You can use the Chrome Task Manager to kill any processes that are using too much memory or CPU. Just select the process and click on the “End Process“

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Enable Hardware Acceleration

If Chrome is causing high RAM usage, you can try enabling Hardware Acceleration.

Hardware Acceleration is a feature that allows Chrome to use your computer’s GPU to speed up certain processes. This can free up some RAM and make Chrome run more smoothly.

To enable Hardware Acceleration, go to the Chrome menu and click on Settings. Then, scroll down to the bottom and click on Advanced. Under the “System” section, you will see the “Use hardware acceleration when available” option. Make sure that this option is turned on.

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Run Chrome Virus Scanner

Chrome comes with a built-in malware scanner which can be used for removing malicious files which might be causing the high CPU usage.

Performing the virus scan on Chrome is pretty straightforward and it can be done without entangling into too many steps.

Here are the steps for that:

1. Launch Google Chrome browser and head towards its Settings.
2. From the left pane, expand the Advanced settings.
3. Now under the Advanced settings, click on the Reset and clean up option.
4. Under that, select Clean up computer.
5. Finally, click on the Find button to begin the Chrome Virus Scan.
6. The tool will start checking for the harmful software on the computer.

As of now, only Chrome’s PC version supports the malware removal feature.

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Regularly Update Chrome

One of the best ways to ensure that Chrome is running smoothly without any memory leak is to keep it up-to-date.

Google releases updates for Chrome on a regular basis. These updates usually include performance improvements and security fixes. So, it’s important to install these updates as soon as they’re available.

Chrome updates generally occur in the background when you close and reopen your browser. However, you can also manually update Chrome by going to the Chrome menu and clicking on About Google Chrome.

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Summing Up

If Chrome is using too much CPU, there are a few things that you can do to fix the issue. The most effective solutions are to close unnecessary tabs, disable unneeded or unwanted extensions, and use Chrome’s Task Manager. You may also want to try disabling Hardware Acceleration or running a virus scan. Updating Chrome regularly can also help keep your browser running smoothly.

Do you have any other tips for fixing the high CPU usage issue in Chrome? Let us know in the comments below!