If Chrome itself opens normally but websites take a long time to appear, the cause is often your connection, an extension, or data Chrome has saved. Start by checking whether it is one site or every site, because that tells you where the problem is.
- One site slow, others fine: the site itself may be busy or down. Select Reload, check the address for typos, and try again later.
- Every site slow: check your Wi-Fi or cable connection, and restart your modem and router.
- Fast in Incognito, slow in a normal window: an extension or saved browsing data is the likely cause. Turn off extensions and delete cached files (steps below).
- Slow in Chrome, fast in another browser: update Chrome, then reset its settings.
These checks come from Google’s guide to fixing connection and loading errors in Chrome, which lists airplane mode, firewall or antivirus software, your modem or router, cookies, extensions, memory use and website downtime as common causes.
Check your internet connection
If several sites are slow, make sure your computer is connected over Wi-Fi or a cable, and that airplane mode is off. Google also suggests checking that your modem and router are working and restarting both. On public Wi-Fi, such as in a cafe, you may need to sign in on the network’s own page before sites load properly. If nothing changes, contact your internet provider.
Test in an Incognito window
Google suggests opening the slow site in an Incognito window. If it loads properly there, the cause is likely an extension or browsing data saved in your normal window.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows, Linux and Chromebook, or ⌘ + Shift + N on a Mac.
- Open the slow site in the Incognito window.
- If it loads quickly there, close the Incognito window and work through the next two sections in a normal window.
Turn off extensions
- Select the three-dot More menu > Extensions > Manage Extensions.
- Switch off all extensions and reload the slow site.
- If it is faster, turn extensions back on one at a time to find the one causing the delay, then remove it.
Delete cached images and files
Chrome remembers parts of pages, such as text and images, to help them open faster on your next visit. Google lists deleting this browsing data as one of its loading fixes. To clear the cache only:
- Select More > Delete browsing data.
- Choose a time range, such as Last hour or All time.
- Check Cached images and files. Uncheck anything you want to keep, such as your browsing history.
- Select Delete data.
Google’s browsing data guide explains what each item removes.
Leave page preloading on
Chrome can load pages it thinks you will visit before you click, which makes browsing and searching feel faster. Check it is on: select More > Settings > Performance and turn on Preload pages. Standard preloading preloads some likely pages and Extended preloading preloads more. Google notes that preloading may use cookies, if you allow them, and may send pages through Google to hide your identity from sites (Chrome performance settings).
Check your firewall or antivirus
Make sure your firewall or antivirus software isn’t blocking Chrome’s connection. Google also suggests running Chrome’s Safety Check to look for malware and other risks.
Update, restart and reset Chrome
- Update. Select More > Help > About Google Chrome, and select Relaunch if an update is waiting. Our update guide covers every platform.
- Restart. On Windows, select More > Exit, then reopen Chrome. On a Mac, select Chrome > Quit Google Chrome in the menu bar, then reopen it.
- Free up memory. If your computer is short of memory, pages can load slowly or fail. Close tabs you aren’t using and see fixing Chrome high memory usage.
- Reset. Select More > Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults > Reset settings. Google says your bookmarks and saved passwords are not deleted or changed.
Pages load but look wrong
If the text arrives but pictures stay blank, see Chrome not loading images. If the problem is Chrome as a whole being sluggish on a Windows 10 PC, see fixing a slow Chrome on Windows 10.