Why Is Chrome Performing Slowly on my Mac?

It’s no hidden secret that Google Chrome is one of the biggest consumers of memory and power on Macs today. Despite Google stating that it is made with speed and efficiency in mind, it tends to create some frustrating issues. For instance, it can lead to your Mac’s battery draining quickly. And also your Mac overheating and running heavily.

In such instances, the best thing we can recommend to alleviate the problem is by easing the burden on your Mac’s processor. This means increasing the memory on your internal hard drive by deleting any large and unnecessary files. Alternatively, you can transfer them to another external device using a usb c to multiple usb c hub. If you don’t already own one, then we suggest the (CB-C35H-1M) model from Lention, as the best choice to provide fast and reliable file transfers.

This device offers up to 4 USB 3.0 ports and is also backward compatible with USB 2.0. This means you can connect up to 4 USB devices like an external keyboard, mouse or disk drive concurrently, with a maximum data transfer speed of 5Gbps. It also provides up to 60W integrated charging for any external devices you may own and is universally compatible with almost all Windows PCs and Macs. Plus, it comes with a 3.3ft extra cable extension making it the ideal solution for creating a less congested and more open workspace at home or in the office.

Quick fix aside, you may still want to know why Chrome is behaving this way and how you can try to fix the problem in the long-term. So, we quickly put this handy guide together to help you do just that, make sure to read on!

Why does it consume so much power? 

The reason is that Google Chrome utilizes a significant amount of RAM that allows users to browse without interruption. This includes browsing the web, watching videos, running extensions, etc. It is the culmination of all these extensive functions and features that add up to one power-hungry application and inevitably consume your battery life. Moreover, there are times when Chrome may also start to slow down as well, due to all this excessive usage.

However, there are lots of ways we can solve this issue and improve the performance of your browser without it consuming so much power and memory in the process.

How to speed up your browser

1. Smart restart

One of the quickest and easiest ways to fix a slow-performing Chrome browser is to restart it. This is also applicable if you have been running the application non-stop without closing it. You can perform a restart by inputting this command in the address bar: chrome://restart. This will refresh your browser while still keeping any working tabs open. You can also add this link to your bookmarks for future reference and quick access.

2. Deactivate hardware acceleration

While this may sound counterproductive, turning off the hardware acceleration will make Chrome perform faster. You can turn it off by heading to Settings > Advanced > System. From there, turn the toggle for hardware acceleration off.

3. Clear out system junk and large files

Another reason why it may be performing poorly is an unnecessarily large pile-up of temporary files and caches. However, you can improve the speed by regularly clearing out these files. And you can usually accomplish this by using a system optimization tool like CleanMyMacX. Alternatively, you can opt to do it manually by heading to your Mac’s system library and deleting the files directly. However, that is always risky because you may end up deleting the wrong file, which could compromise your Mac’s functionality in the process.

You can also try to create extra space on your hard drive to accommodate any new browser caches and temporary files, by transferring any large files to an external device. In this regard, you can use the (CB-CCT) usb c cable 10 ft from Lention. It is a universally compatible cable that works with most laptops and mobile devices and offers a fast data transfer rate of up to 480Mbps. This makes it ideal for transferring files or connecting your Mac to external devices, eg. keyboards, mousepads, etc. Plus, they are worth the long-term investment, as they come with a nylon braided cable and TPE jacket that guarantees durability and an extended lifespan.

How to reduce battery consumption by Chrome

There are four main reasons why your battery is draining so quickly because of Chrome. The browser is out-of-date, multiple open tabs, unwanted extensions running in the background, and too many caches and files slowing down performance. However, there is a fix for each of these issues.

1. Update Chrome

You would be surprised how many people forget to update their Google Chrome browser. You can accomplish this by heading to the “About Google Chrome” section. If there is a pending update, there will be an alert to let you know you need to download it. However, you can also activate automatic updates instead of doing it manually.

2. Close unused tabs

Some of us are usually guilty of opening too many Google Chrome tabs at once. And that can seriously affect performance and drain your battery. This is because the more tabs that str open, the more work your browser has to do to keep them running. However, by closing down any unnecessary tabs, you can speed up your browser and reduce the rate of battery consumption significantly.

3. Delete Unnecessary Extensions

There are times when a previously downloaded extension could be running in the background without our knowledge and consuming processing power. However, you can check to see what extensions may still be open by utilizing the Chrome Task Manager. This program will provide you with an excellent overview of what resources are currently running. From here you can also close any unwanted processes, simply click on the three dots on the Chrome menu bar, head to More Tools > Task Manager. You can then select any extensions that are open by clicking End Process.

4. Reduce Strain On Mac’s Processor

Another common reason why most applications may start performing poorly is because of connecting too many external peripherals. This can overload your processor and slow down your performance, which leads to apps performing slowly, crashing, freezing, etc. This applies to those who tend to use many external devices, eg. music producers, video editors, graphic designers, etc. In such cases, we recommend getting yourself what we consider to be the docking stations, which should keep your Mac stress-free and your apps working optimally.

This accessory will allow you to efficiently expand your Mac’s connectivity ports and reduce the burden on your laptop significantly. We recommend opting for Lention’s CB-C95 model as it features a wide variety of ports that will let you connect up to three 4K monitors (HDMI / DisplayPort / VGA), three USB-C devices, and two SD-Cards. It also provides up to 100W power pass charging, which is ideal for any laptop or mobile device. It also features a gigabit ethernet port for fast and convenient internet connectivity and even a 3.5mm Aux port for headphone or soundbox connectivity. This makes it the perfect workspace companion to improve your home or office space  into the ultimate multipurpose workstation.