Google Chrome High Memory Usage: How to Fix Chrome Using Too Much Memory

Google Chrome is the most widely used browser across Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. However, high memory usage in Chrome remains a common issue. Understanding its causes, impact, and solutions can optimize browsing performance.

Quick Fix Guide: Chrome Performance

Short on time? Use these quick fixes to lower Chrome RAM usage:

Prefer video? See How to Manage Chrome RAM Usage [Video] for a quick demo of these optimization methods.

Use Chrome’s task manager to monitor RAM usage

Google has removed the chrome://memory-redirect feature, so this command no longer works when displaying memory information in Chrome. However, Chrome Task Manager is a simple way for you to manage RAM usage. Follow these steps to leverage this tool:

1. Click the actions menu icon in the upper-right corner of Chrome.
2. Navigate to More tools and then select Task Manager.

Alternatively, press Shift+Esc on Windows or Search+Esc on Chrome OS devices.

Next, the Task Manager presents a list of open tabs, extensions, and plugins, each with its own set of statistics, including Chrome CPU usage, memory footprint, and network activity. Here are some key columns to monitor:

• CPU indicates how much of your processor’s power is being consumed.
• Network displays real-time network activity for each process.
• Memory footprint shows the amount of Chrome RAM usage for each tab or extension.

Keep an eye on the Task Manager to get a sense of your typical RAM usage patterns. This will help you catch when something is amiss that could be leading to high memory usage in Chrome.

Disable unnecessary extensions, plugins, and tabs

Managing your extensions and plugins is another impactful way to reduce Chrome RAM usage. Here’s how you can declutter and optimize Chrome for better performance:

1. Open Google Chrome and type chrome://extensions in the address bar.
2. Browse through the list of installed extensions. Consider each extension’s utility and how often you use it.
3. For those you find unnecessary or seldom use, disable them by turning off the toggle button next to the extension or remove them completely from the browser.

Similar to extensions, plugins can also consume a significant amount of memory. While Chrome has streamlined plugin management in recent versions, ensuring that only essential plugins are enabled can help reduce memory usage.

1. Access plugin settings by navigating to chrome://settings/content.
2. Adjust your plugins as needed.

Finally, the simplest way to lower your Chrome memory usage is to reduce the number of windows and tabs you have open. Here’s how you can close multiple tabs:

1. To close all tabs to the right of a specific tab, right-click on the tab and choose Close tabs to the right.
2. To close all tabs except the one you are viewing, right-click on the current tab and select Close other tabs.

Alternatively, use Ctrl + W (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + W (macOS) to close the current tab, or Ctrl + Shift + W (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + W (macOS) to close an entire window.

Clear your cache and cookies

You can also clear your cache and cookies in Google Chrome to reduce RAM usage:

1. Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the Chrome browser.
2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
3. Scroll down and click on Privacy and security.
4. Click on Clear browsing data. A new window will pop up.
5. In the dialog window, select the Advanced tab.
6. Check the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
7. You can also choose the time range for which you want to clear the data. To clear everything, select All time.
8. Click the Clear data button.

Clearing cached data and cookies can free up RAM and improve Chrome’s performance.

Enable hardware acceleration

To enable hardware acceleration in Chrome and make the most out of your browsing experience, follow these steps:

1. Click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner of the Chrome browser.
2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
3. Navigate to System in the left sidebar.
4. Enable the Use hardware acceleration when available option.

Activating hardware acceleration can significantly boost your browsing experience by improving performance and responsiveness. This is especially noticeable in video content, page scrolling, and graphic-heavy websites or applications.

Adjust the Chrome settings for better RAM management

You can also simply adjust your settings to optimize Chrome RAM usage. Here are some of the adjustments to consider:

The memory saver mode feature can reduce RAM usage by up to 40% by deactivating tabs not in use. As of the latest updates, Chrome now offers three distinct levels of Memory Saving, which you can find in Settings → Performance → Memory:

• Moderate: Deactivates tabs based on your system’s immediate needs.
• Balanced: Learn your browsing habits and keep frequently used background tabs active.
• Maximum: Aggressively discards tabs the moment you stop using them.

Additionally, look for a “Performance Issue Alert” icon next to your profile. Chrome now proactively warns you if a specific tab is leaking memory and offers a one-click “Fix Now” button for troubleshooting.

Improve Chrome’s high RAM usage with NinjaOne

While these steps address the Chrome high RAM usage concerns on individual devices, organizations must also tackle the issue at scale. High RAM consumption slows down devices, causing lag and unresponsiveness for end-users, which reduces IT efficiency. Remote monitoring and management solutions, like NinjaOne, give IT teams the tools to configure Chrome for optimal performance, monitor endpoint health, and troubleshoot memory issues across all devices, ensuring consistent performance.

Related topics:

• How to Reset Google to Default Settings
• How to Open, Use, and Troubleshoot Chrome Task Manager
• [IT Video] Guide on How to Open and Use Chrome Task Manager
• How to Enable and Disable Google Chrome Background Tab Throttling in Windows