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Why does Chrome use so much CPU? [Reasons & Solutions] 2023

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The current conflict between AMD and Intel has made today’s CPUs significantly more potent and...

Why does Chrome use so much CPU? [Reasons & Solutions] 2023

The current conflict between AMD and Intel has made today’s CPUs significantly more potent and effective. Modern CPUs with few cores are excellent at handling easy activities like file browsing, web browsing, movie viewing, etc. Even with these modern CPUs, browsers like Chrome tend to utilize too much CPU. Therefore, many users have asked why does Chrome use so much CPU? Several factors might cause Chrome’s high CPU use; there is no single explanation. Let’s explore those factors and possible solutions!

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome is a popular web browser that can use a lot of CPU resources when browsing the internet.
  • It uses so much CPU because it runs each tab, extension, and plugin as a separate process, which increases the security and stability of the browser, but also the CPU load.
  • It also uses features like hardware acceleration, prefetching, and background apps, which can improve the performance and functionality of the browser, but also consume more CPU power.
  • It can cause CPU overheating, lagging, or freezing if the CPU is not powerful enough or well-ventilated.
  • It can be optimized by disabling or removing unnecessary extensions, plugins, and apps, clearing the cache and cookies, updating the browser, or using a different browser.
Table of Contents

Why does Chrome use so Much CPU?

There are several explanations for Chrome’s high CPU usage. It might be brought on by malware, a virus, or a malfunction, but it might also be a typical occurrence. The most frequent reasons for high CPU use are as follows:

1. Several tabs opened simultaneously

The amount of open tabs is the main factor in any browser using a significant portion of the CPU. The speed of your computer shouldn’t be impacted by having a few tabs open, but if you have around a dozen available, CPU consumption will soon increase. High RAM utilization may result from this. Therefore, if you have too many Chrome tabs opened, this might be why Chrome uses so much CPU. 

2. Unnecessary extensions

Your extensions are a different problem that you can fix. There are several instances where users of Chrome just have too many extensions loaded. Additionally, it is possible to have installed CPU-intensive extensions that are resource-intensive.

3. Viewing inefficient websites

To ensure that only dependable, trustworthy websites appear in their rankings, Google is continually proposing new SEO guidelines. Today’s websites still include a lot of adverts, auto-play videos, and material that might take a lot of CPU power. Therefore many of them still need to be better optimized. So certain websites you have opened may be a reason behind too much Chrome usage. 

4. Viewing elevated video

It is no secret that many of us frequently watch videos and streams on YouTube or other websites like Twitch or Facebook. Chrome will use more CPU power the more open tabs contain videos. In particular, whether you’re watching HD or 4K videos, this is true. You must consider this fact a reason behind too much Chrome usage if you’re doing so and watching high-caliber videos. 

How to fix high CPU usage in Chrome? 

Now that the most frequent causes of excessive CPU use have been discussed, it’s time to explore the possible solution. Let’s look at the solutions for high Chrome CPU usage!

1. Close all except one of the open tabs.

It makes sense to start with the simplest solution first. Your Chrome browser should be opened, “sorted by CPU utilization,” and all but one tab should be closed. Make sure the tab you leave open is not a website with many animations or a movie. Your processor’s performance should drop significantly as a result.

2. Refresh the browser

After extended durations of usage, browsers, notably Chrome, frequently utilize more CPU and RAM than they need. Chrome may need to be restarted if Task Manager indicates that you have a high CPU use issue.

3. Switch off all extensions.

Extensions might be the root of your problem, and we advise deactivating all of them as a workaround. To accomplish this, expand “More tools” by clicking on the three dots in your Chrome window’s upper right corner, then selecting “Extensions.” You should be able to see all of your extensions on this page. 

By pushing the little blue switch buttons one at a time, you can turn them all off. Please restart your browser while all extensions are disabled, then use it as usual. Check Task Manager a few times to ensure the CPU use is regular.

4. Take away all extensions

You should uninstall all of the extensions after removing them all in Chrome. If not, you must have uninstalled the extension responsible for the problems. Remember them or take a screenshot of your extensions page for ease of reinstallation.

5. Delete Browsing History

Chrome’s settings may be used to clear browsing history. You don’t need to delete any of your saved passwords or other sign-in information, so don’t panic. Your browser’s cookies, history, cache, or other data may be using too many resources on your machine. All cookies and data from Chrome’s installation up to this point will be deleted.

6. Backup your settings

The option to reset Chrome’s settings to their factory defaults is available under “Settings,” “Advanced,” and “System” if all else fails. Your bookmarks, history, and passwords are not deleted, but everything else is reset. But if everything else falls, this is an easy option.

7. Reinstall the Chrome

After testing the other fixes and seeing that none worked, let’s try reinstalling Chrome. Click the “chrome” icon in the Start Menu, right-click, and choose “uninstall.” Locate the browser, choose “Chrome” once more, and then complete the uninstall process.

Conclusion

High CPU often happens when you are using Chrome and another application simultaneously. Chrome uses a lot of resources. It might be brought on by malware, a virus, or a malfunction, but it might also be a typical occurrence. The most frequent reasons for high CPU use are as follows. The amount of open tabs is the main factor in any browser using a significant portion of the CPU. 

It is no secret that many of us frequently watch videos and streams on YouTube or other websites like Twitch or Facebook. Your processor’s performance should drop significantly as a result. Extensions might be the root of your problem, and we advise deactivating all of them as a workaround. Check Task Manager a few times to ensure the CPU use is regular. But if everything else fails, this is an easy option.

Arslan Ashraf
Arslan Ashraf

CPUs & CPU Cooler Expert

Arslan Ashraf is a dedicated tech writer with a rich background in Computer Science and five years of experience in the field. While pursuing his Bachelor's degree from Virtual University, he has honed his expertise in CPUs and CPU Coolers. His ability to simplify complex technological concepts has made him a valuable resource for a wide audience. Driven by passion, Arslan remains at the forefront of industry trends, delivering expert insights that continue to enlighten his readers.

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