- Chrome's Memory Saver mode frees up RAM by suspending inactive tabs, improving fluidity.
- Reviewing extensions and blocking unnecessary content helps reduce resource consumption.
- El Task Manager Chrome's allows you to identify and close processes that consume the most memory.
The Navigator Google Chrome has gained enormous popularity for its ease of use, its integration with services Google and its speed. However, it is well known among users that it also stands out, for the worse, for its high RAM consumption. In fact, it's not uncommon to find memes and jokes about how it drains the resources of any computer, especially if you have a hardware more modest or you use a laptop.
In this article I explain How to optimize your browser to reduce excessive RAM consumption, detailing all the settings and techniques available, both from the functions that Chrome integrates and from some Tricks Additional features that can make a difference. You'll see how to take advantage of their performance options, how to better manage your tabs, and how to identify and close the processes that are taking up the most memory.
Why does Chrome use so much RAM?
Before we get down to work, it is advisable understand why Chrome eats so much RAMOne of the main reasons is its architecture of multiple processes- The browser creates a separate process for each tab, extension, and plugin you have open. This greatly improves stability, as if one tab crashes, it doesn't drag down the others, but it does each element adds its own memory consumptionIf, like many, you have the habit of accumulating a lot of tabs, you'll see how consumption quickly skyrockets.
In addition, a good part of the Current websites are much heavier than a few years ago. Not only do they load more images, scripts, and interactive features, but they also include ads, trackers, and other third-party elements that require even more resources. Add to this several extensions running at the same time, and the result is a Full RAM and a computer that starts to run slow.
How to manage and reduce RAM usage in Chrome
Let's go over All the technical and practical options to optimize Chrome and make it consume less RAM, improving both the fluidity of the browser and the autonomy if you work from a laptop.
1. Performance settings: Chrome's new section
Google has included in the latest versions of Chrome a section dedicated to performance in your settings menu. From here, you can manage various tools that will help control RAM usage and improve response speed.
- Memory saving: This option allows the browser to automatically deactivate tabs that haven't been used for a while. This frees up memory, allowing active tabs and other applications to run more efficiently. When you return to an inactive tab, it will reload and restore its content.
- Energy saving: Reduces battery consumption by portable limiting background processes and decreasing the graphics refresh rate. It does not affect the RAM directly, but it does complement the general optimization and is very useful for laptops.
- Page preloading: You can choose whether you want Chrome to preload pages you might visit, speeding up browsing but at the cost of using a little more memory. If you're short on resources, it's best to leave the default preloading option or disable it.
To access these settings:
- Open Chrome on your computer.
- Click on the three dots menu (top right corner) and go to Configuration.
- Choose Unlimited in the left column.
- Adjust the options according to your needs, activating memory saving and, if you use a laptop, Energy saving.
2. Customize memory saving and exceptions
Mode memory saving It's the best weapon against excessive RAM consumption. If you enable it, Chrome automatically suspend unused tabs, achieving savings of up to 40% RAM According to Google tests, this will give you a lighter browser even if you have many tabs open.
- You can add websites manually by typing their address, or select sites you currently have open in a tab.
- URLs can be configured to include entire domains, subdomains, or even specific paths.
- Some sites never automatically suspend for operational reasons: tabs with videos or calls in progress, downloads active or live notifications.
This allows you to maintain a balance between performance and functionality, suspending all tabs except those essential for your work or daily activities.
3. Control sleep mode: saving levels
Chrome gives you the choice different levels of eyelash suspension:
- Moderate: Suspends tabs after longer periods of inactivity.
- Balanced: Recommended, discontinue after an optimal period.
- Maximum: Suspends tabs in the shortest possible time, freeing RAM more aggressively.
The option balanced This is usually sufficient for most users, but if your computer is very low on memory, it may be helpful to try maximum mode.
Classic tricks that still work to reduce RAM
Although Chrome's new options are very useful, It doesn't hurt to continue applying some traditional advice that help to avoid saturating the memory.
- Close tabs you are not using. It seems obvious, but many users leave dozens of tabs open out of sheer habit. Clean them up regularly.
- Groups related tabs. Chrome allows you to group them and close entire sets at once, making it easier to free up resources.
- Reuse eyelashes: Avoid constantly opening new tabs for similar actions, and reuse the ones you already have open whenever possible.
- Only open what is necessary. Treat each browsing session as a separate task, and when you're done, close the browser to free up all associated memory.
4. Extensions: less is more
Chrome is characterized by its large number of extensions and add-onsWhile they can add a lot of functionality, each open extension typically adds dozens of megabytes of RAM usage, even in the background.
5. Content blockers: more privacy and fewer resources
Third-party advertising, scripts, and trackers can cause each website to load much more data than necessary. Use ad blockers like uBlock Origin helps not only improve privacy, but also reduce RAM consumption on each visit.
Optimize process management with Chrome Task Manager
Chrome integrates its own Task Manager (press Shift+Esc), where you can see how much memory each tab, extension or process is consuming. From here you can end those processes that you do not need and are taking up more RAM than necessary. It's a simple but very effective tool for controlling resource usage without having to close the entire browser.
Enable hardware acceleration
Chrome offers the option to hardware acceleration to offload graphics and video processing to the graphics card (GPU) instead of relying solely on the CPU and RAM. This helps free memory so that multimedia content plays more smoothly. To do this, you can also consult configure this option in Chrome.
To activate this feature:
- Go to Chrome settings.
- Access the section System.
- Check the box Use graphics acceleration when available.
Reset Chrome if problems persist
If, after applying all these tips, you continue to notice excessive RAM consumption or the browser is running especially slow, you can try reset Chrome to its default stateThis removes extensions, cookies, saved data, and custom settings, allowing you to start from scratch and reinstall only what's really necessary.
To reset Chrome:
- Access the three-dot menu and enter Configuration.
- Enter the section Reset Settings.
- Balance Restore the original default settings and follow the instructions.
It's a drastic option, but sometimes essential in very busy teams.
Extra tips to get the most out of your RAM in Chrome
- Keep Chrome updated. New versions always bring patches, performance improvements, and optimizations that will help you consume fewer resources.
- Use the tabbed memory usage viewer. You can enable the option to display RAM usage for each tab when you hover over it (depending on the operating system).
- Page preloading: Keep it on standard if you prioritize memory, or disable it if you need maximum savings.
What to consider in laptops and low-end computers
Many of these tips They are especially important if you use a laptop or a computer with little RAM (4GB or 8GB). The mode Energy saving and the memory saving They will be your greatest allies, as they will allow you to stretch both the performance and the battery life much further. However, you may notice that some tasks become less fast and that certain animations or videos may lose fluidity, but in return Chrome will stop weighing down your computer.
If despite everything your team is still fair, consider changing some browsing habits, such as avoid accumulating dozens of open tabs, make intensive use of extension cleanup, and close the browser every time you finish a long session. This will ensure your experience remains satisfactory even on modest computers.
By applying all these techniques and adjustments you will be able to drastically reduce Chrome's RAM consumption, Achieving a balance between performance and functionality. You'll be able to work more smoothly, keeping only the most important tabs open while preventing the browser from hogging more resources than necessary. Whether you're using a powerful desktop or an older laptop, the results will be noticeable, and your computer will thank you for it.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.