Reviews Tech
Written by Emma Witman
Updated
- To fix Google Chrome when it's running slow, try clearing its cache or wiping the browser history.
- You can also try deleting unnecessary extensions or adding extensions that improve performance.
- If your Chrome browser is outdated, updating it can also help improve performance.
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Whether you're using it for work, gaming, or streaming, there's nothing quite as irritating as when a web browser is running slow.
So, imagine the annoyance for Google Chrome users when the browser coveted for its speediness responds frustratingly slow.
Fortunately, there's often an easy fix.
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What should you do if Chrome is running slow?
Here are five of the most reliable ways to grease a rusty Chrome browser on your PC or Mac computer.
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Clear your cache
Periodically clearing your cache, or temporarily stored internet data, from your Google Chrome browser ensures that it functions efficiently, as an overloaded cache can considerably slog down browsing speeds.
And fortunately, clearing your cache is a quick and easy process that takes seconds to do.
1. Open Chrome on your computer.
2. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
3. Place your mouse pointer on the More tools option in the dropdown menu to reveal more options.
4. Click Clear browsing data in the menu that appears on the left.
5. Tick the checkbox for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files in the pop-up – if they aren't already checked.
6. Click Clear data.
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Wipe your browser history
Similarly, keeping your history clean can help you maintain a solid speed in Chrome.
1. Open Chrome on your PC or Mac.
2. Enter "chrome://history" in the search bar and hit the Enter key on PC or the Return key on Mac.
3. Click Clear browsing data in the menu on the left.
4. In pop-up, make sure Browsing history is checked.
5. Click the blue Clear data button.
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Delete unneeded extensions
From Adblock to Honey, extensions can certainly enhance the browsing experience. However, too many extensions can have the opposite effect and slow down your browser.
Disable extensions when you don't need them, and as Marie Kondo would say, delete the ones that no longer spark joy.
1. Open Chrome on your PC or Mac.
2. Copy and paste "chrome://extensions" into the search bar and hit the Enter key on PC or the Return key on Mac to see and manage your extensions.
3. Click Remove on the extension you want to delete.
4. Click the Remove button in the pop-up that appears.
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Add download speed extensions
Although some extensions can slow Chrome down, others are specifically aimed at improving your browser's speed.
For example, the OneTab extension converts all of your open tabs into a list, saving space and keeping your computer from running slowly when you have many tabs open. You can simply reopen tabs individually, or all at once, in the list.
For those who have tabs constantly accumulating, extensions can be crucial. These extensions can pause tabs without closing them, freeing up Chrome's bandwidth.
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Update Chrome
One of the best things you can do is to keep Chrome up-to-date.
Chrome will automatically download and install updates for you, but only when it isn't open.
However, you can also update it manually.
1. Open Chrome on your computer.
2. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
3. Look at the top of the dropdown menu, and if you see the Update Google Chrome option, click it.
4. After the update is downloaded and installed, close Chrome and open it again.
Emma Witman is an Asheville, NC-based freelance journalist with a keen interest in writing about hardware, PC gaming, politics, and personal finance. She is a former crime reporter for a daily newspaper, and has also written extensively about bartending for Insider. She may or may not judge your drink order when behind the bar. Follow her on Twitter at @emwity.
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