How to Make Chrome Faster

To make Chrome faster on a computer, update it, close tabs you aren’t using, turn off extensions you don’t need and turn on Memory Saver. Google lists these steps in its Speed up Google Chrome help page. On a phone, Google says the performance settings below are not available, so updating the app and closing tabs are the main fixes.

Update Chrome

Chrome works best on the latest version. Here’s how to update on a computer:

1. Open Chrome and select More (the three dots at the top right).
2. Select Help, then About Google Chrome.
3. Chrome checks for updates. If you see Relaunch, select it to finish.

For phones and tablets, see our update Chrome guide.

Close unused tabs

The more tabs you have open, the harder Chrome has to work.

1. Review your open tabs and decide which ones you no longer need.
2. On Windows, Linux and Chromebook, press Ctrl + W to close the current tab. On a Mac, press Cmd + W.
3. You can also select Close (the X) on the tab.

Turn off extensions you don’t use

Extensions can be helpful, but each one uses some of your computer’s resources.

1. Select More > Extensions > Manage Extensions, or type chrome://extensions in the address bar.
2. Turn off the switch next to any extension you don’t use often, or select Remove.

Turn on Memory Saver

Memory Saver deactivates tabs you aren’t using, which can help reduce RAM use. It is a normal setting, not an experimental flag.

1. Select More > Settings.
2. On the left, select Performance.
3. Turn on Memory Saver and choose Moderate, Balanced (recommended) or Maximum.

The same page has Preload pages, which loads pages Chrome thinks you will visit so they open faster. Google describes each option in Personalize Chrome performance.

End tasks that use a lot of memory

1. Select More > More tools > Task Manager.
2. Select Memory to sort tasks by memory use.
3. Select a task you don’t need, then End Process. Unsaved work in that task is lost.

Check graphics acceleration

Chrome uses your graphics card to draw pages when it can, and this is on by default. If pages flicker, go black or Chrome crashes, try turning it off. See our hardware acceleration guide.

1. Select More > Settings > System.
2. Turn Use graphics acceleration when available on or off. Older versions call it hardware acceleration.
3. Relaunch Chrome.

Clear cached files

If some pages load wrongly or slowly, clearing Chrome’s cache can help. You will be signed out of most sites if you also delete cookies.

1. Select More > Delete browsing data. Our clear browsing data guide has more detail.
2. Choose a time range, such as Last 7 days or All time.
3. Check Cached images and files. Check the cookies box only if you are happy to sign in again.
4. Select Delete data.

Still slow?

Google also suggests closing other apps you aren’t using, resetting Chrome’s settings and checking your computer for unwanted programs. Resetting keeps your bookmarks and passwords.