Why Is Google Chrome Using So Much RAM?

Have you ever received an “Out of Memory” warning from your Chrome browser?

I often use Chrome with multiple open tabs, especially when searching for important information. However, I have noticed my computer tends to run slower when multiple tabs are open. So, let’s investigate the reasons. If you’re feeling frustrated by this issue, don’t worry! I have some easy suggestions that may help you solve it. 

This post will make it easy to grasp why Chrome needs so much storage. We will explain all possible reasons, clarify the connection between them, and provide you with easy alternatives and useful advice. Let’s dive into the world of browsers and discover ways to make your online adventures smoother!

Why Is Google Chrome Using So Much RAM?

It is because of running multiple tabs at a time, unnecessary extensions, hardware acceleration options, enabled preloading page settings, viruses and malware, excessive cookies and cache data, and bugs and errors in Chrome. All these issues could be resolved by following proper techniques.

Excessive Open Tabs 

Google Chrome employs a novel multi-way architecture that boosts security and stability but also causes it to require more RAM than competing browsers. Thanks to a sandboxing mechanism, all active tabs, add-ons, and plugins run in isolation. Due to this phenomenon, each tab consumes RAM memory separately, increasing RAM usage. 

• How To Fix It?

You can use tab management extensions like OneTab. These extensions combine all the tabs that use a lot of RAM into one tab and make a list of all these tabs. By doing this, each tab will use less RAM, and your computer won’t have to work as hard. Also, while browsing, close excessively unnecessary tabs. 

Unnecessary Extensions

Some extensions may additionally have memory breaches, which prevent them from releasing allocated memory when it is no longer required. Over time, these memory breaches can accumulate and cause Chrome’s RAM usage to increase. 

Certain extensions operate history processes, continuously consuming device resources even when not actively used. This behavior may result in increased RAM consumption and a decrease in general browser performance.

• How To Fix It?

Periodically assess your attached extensions and remove any that are no longer required or rarely used. It will free up memory and reduce the possibility of conflicts and performance issues.

Disabled Hardware Acceleration Settings

Hardware acceleration is a technology that lets the CPU (Central Processing Unit) hand off some of its tasks to specialized hardware extensions. In the case of web browsers like Chrome, it means using the computer’s GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) to handle graphics-intensive tasks like rendering web pages, making animations move, and watching movies. 

Disabling hardware acceleration in Chrome may increase the load placed on RAM, which will lead to an excessive amount of RAM being used.

• How To Fix It?

First, open Chrome on your computer. Next, click the menu button at the top right of the browser window. From the list of options that drop down, choose “Settings.” When the Settings page opens, scroll down and click on the “Advanced” option. 

The “Hardware acceleration when available” option is in the System section. To turn it on, turn the switch next to this choice. Lastly, you need to restart Chrome for the changes to take effect. Chrome now has hardware acceleration turned on, which could improve the speed and performance of graphics-intensive tasks and web apps.

Enabled Preload Pages 

Chrome added the “Preload Pages” option to improve the speed of browsing. It guesses which links you might click on a page and loads them in the background. It makes it feel like clicking goes faster. 

This function is especially helpful when you have a slow internet connection or are using a complicated web app. When pages are preloaded, they need more memory to store the information that has already been downloaded. It means that RAM is used for a longer time. 

• How To Fix It?

To stop extra RAM consumption, you must disable the “preload pages” option. To do that, click on the three dots that look like a menu at the top right of the Chrome window. Choose “Settings” from the menu that drops down. Scroll down and click on “Privacy and Safety.”

Find “Cookies and other site data” in the section and click on it. Now scroll down until you find “Preload pages.” To turn off the feature, flip the switch.

Run Chrome as an Administrator and Disable Site Isolation

If you use Chrome without administrative privileges, you might find this issue annoying. Moreover, if your site isolation is enabled, it will use a huge amount of RAM memory.

• How To Fix It?

Using Google Chrome with administrative permissions can help optimize its memory usage. By doing so, you give Chrome higher priority and access to device resources, allowing it to allocate and manage RAM more efficiently.

Site isolation is a Chrome security feature that protects users from potentially malicious websites. It isolates suspected websites in a separate process when enabled, but this may increase RAM usage. In addition to reducing Chrome’s memory usage, disabling page isolation can eliminate its memory footprint.

To disable it, Open Google Chrome and enter the URL chrome://flags in the address bar. On the web page for experimental features, search for “website isolation” or “site quarantine.” Locate “Strict website isolation” or “Enable website online isolation” and set the corresponding flag to “Disabled.” Restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.

Unnecessary Background Apps

Each application requires a certain amount of system resources, including RAM (Random Access Memory), to perform optimally when multiple applications run simultaneously. If you have had multiple applications running in the background while using Chrome, it may result in higher RAM usage.

Background apps frequently execute processes and services that continue to consume device resources even when you are not actively using them.

• How To Fix It?

Close useless background apps. Determine which background apps you don’t need or don’t use very often, and close them when you’re not. It can free up resources on the device, such as RAM. 

Press “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” and open “Task Manager.” Now select the unnecessary app and then press “End Task.” It will remove the unnecessary background app. 

Virus or Malware

Even though malicious software and viruses can have an effect on Chrome’s performance and memory consumption, these factors are no longer the primary reason why Chrome uses so much RAM. But if you have a virus, you will face this Chrome issue.

• How To Fix It?

If you think your device has been infected, you should run an antivirus or anti-malware test to protect your computer. But it’s important to remember that Chrome’s memory usage is normal for a browser, but random and more frequent usage is not normal.

Excessive Cookies and Cache

Cookies and caches are necessary to keep data and website details safe. But excessive cookies and cache cause many problems in Chrome, which leads to slow and sluggish performance. As a result, Chrome starts to use excessive resources, like RAM.

• How To Fix It?

To fix this issue, you must clear your Chrome browser’s cookies and cache. Press “Ctrl + H” and select “Clear browsing history.” Once the history menu pop-ups, select cookies and cache. Then select “Clear data.” Remember, all the selected options will be deleted. So, only select the options you want to clear.

Bugs In Chrome

Bugs in Chrome can cause RAM to be used more quickly. Like all complicated software, Chrome can have bugs that can cause memory leaks or poor memory management. These bugs can cause Chrome to use more RAM over time or during certain tasks. It can slow down the browser or even cause it to crash.

• How To Fix It?

When bugs cause Chrome to use a lot of RAM, sometimes restarting it can help. When you close and restart Chrome, it clears the temporary settings, letting go of the memory that has been stored. It can solve the problem and improve the performance as a whole.

Is Google Chrome RAM Usage A Problem?

When Google Chrome uses a lot of RAM, it creates problems. It can slow down general performance, especially on computers with less memory. When Chrome uses a lot of RAM, it can slow down your computer, make it take longer to open new tabs or websites, or even cause your computer to crash or freeze.

But it’s important to remember that Google has worked hard over the years to optimize Chrome’s use of help and improve its speed. They have added new features and updates to use less memory and improve speed.

Disadvantages of Excessive RAM Usage by Chrome

Even though using Chrome to use a lot of RAM can help speed up and improve the performance of your computer, using too much RAM can pose a number of risks. Here are some specific and important things that can happen if Chrome uses too much RAM:

Reduced System Performance

Chrome is known for using a lot of memory and using too much RAM can slow down your computer. When Chrome uses a lot of RAM, it leaves less space for other programs and systems running on your computer. It can make it harder to switch between tasks, take longer for other programs to start, and slow down the system overall.

Effects on System Stability

When Chrome uses too much RAM, it puts more strain on your laptop’s resources, which can change how well the system works. High RAM usage can make Chrome and other programs crash, slow down, or stop responding. It can be frustrating and cause data loss if a crash or freeze affects a drawing that hasn’t been saved.

Limited Resources for Other Applications

When Chrome uses too much RAM, it can leave less room for other programs and methods. Suppose you use resource-intensive programs like video editing software, 3D modeling tools, or game programs along with Chrome. In that case, you may experience slowdowns, freezes, or crashes because you don’t have enough RAM. It can greatly affect how much you get done and how well other jobs go.

Increased Power Consumption

Using too much RAM when running Chrome can also cause more power to be used. RAM needs a steady source of power to keep and store data. When Chrome uses more RAM than it needs to, it puts more stress on your computer’s power supply, which causes it to use more power. It can make laptop batteries last less and cause laptop users to pay more for power.

Conclusion

Numerous factors, including having an excessive number of open tabs, unnecessary extensions, turned-on web page preload settings, disabled hardware acceleration, excessive cookies and cache files, Chrome bugs, and the presence of malware or viruses, can contribute to Google Chrome use too much RAM. But these problems can be fixed with easy steps.

Customers can use tab management extensions like OneTab to combine memory-intensive tabs and lower the amount of RAM they use. Getting rid of apps you don’t need or don’t use can also free up space and speed up your browser. By turning on hardware acceleration in Chrome, the GPU can handle graphics-intensive tasks, which makes better use of RAM.

Turning off “preload pages” and running Chrome as an administrator are two more ways to reduce RAM use. Chrome users can also turn off site isolation to lower the memory it uses. By closing useless background apps and letting antivirus scans run in the background, you can lessen the effect of viruses and malware on RAM usage.

Leaks of memory can be fixed, and normal speed can be improved by clearing out too many cookies and cache files and restarting Chrome every so often. Google has tried to make Chrome’s use of memory as efficient as possible. Still, using too much RAM can slow down the device, make it unstable, limit the resources available to other programs, and use more power.

Other Chrome Topics:

Solved: Why Does Chrome Lag So Much?

Why Does Chrome Keep Signing Me Out?

Why Does Chrome Use So Much CPU In The Background?