Best Settings to Speed Up Chrome 2026

If Chrome feels sluggish on your computer, you are not alone. Many users with older machines or limited RAM struggle with slow browsing speeds. The good news is that Chrome includes several built-in settings that can significantly improve performance. This guide covers the best settings to speed up Chrome 2026, with practical steps you can follow right now.

Enable Memory Saver Mode

Memory Saver is one of the most effective Chrome features for computers with limited RAM. When enabled, Chrome automatically reduces memory usage from tabs you are not currently viewing. This frees up RAM for other applications and makes your whole computer feel faster.

To enable Memory Saver, open Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select “Settings” from the menu. In the left sidebar, click “Performance.” Toggle “Memory Saver” to ON. You can also choose how aggressive Chrome should be by clicking the dropdown next to Memory Saver and selecting “Balanced” or “Maximum.”

When Memory Saver is active, you will notice that tabs you have not visited in a while may take a moment to reload when you click on them. This is normal and actually a sign that the feature is working. The trade-off is worth it because your computer will not slow down as much when you have multiple tabs open.

Enable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration allows Chrome to use your computer’s graphics card for certain tasks instead of relying solely on the CPU. This can make browsing smoother, especially when watching videos or scrolling through image-heavy websites.

To enable hardware acceleration, go to Settings, then click “System” in the left sidebar. Make sure “Use hardware acceleration when available” is toggled ON. If you had to turn it on, restart Chrome for the change to take effect.

Some users with very old graphics drivers find that hardware acceleration causes issues. If Chrome crashes or displays graphics incorrectly after enabling this setting, try turning it off and see if that resolves the problem.

Limit Startup Apps and Background Processes

Chrome often runs in the background even after you close the browser window. This can consume valuable system resources, especially on computers with limited RAM.

To control this behavior, go to Settings and click “System” in the sidebar. Look for “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed” and toggle it OFF unless you specifically need Chrome to sync or download files after closing.

You can also manage which extensions and apps run at startup. Click the three dots, go to “Settings,” then “On startup.” Select “Open the New Tab page” instead of “Continue where you left off” if you want Chrome to start fresh each time. This prevents Chrome from having to reload dozens of tabs when you open the browser.

Clean Up Your Extensions

Extensions are useful, but each one adds to Chrome’s memory usage. If you have many extensions installed, they can significantly slow down your browser, even if you are not actively using them.

To review your extensions, type “chrome://extensions” in the address bar and press Enter. Go through each extension and ask yourself whether you use it daily. If you have not used an extension in the past month, click “Remove” to delete it.

Pay special attention to extensions that run in the background, such as tab managers, notification helpers, and auto-refresh tools. These consume memory even when you are not browsing. Keep only the extensions you truly need and you will notice a speed improvement.

Use Tab Suspender Pro for Better Tab Management

One of the biggest drains on Chrome’s performance is having too many tabs open at once. Each tab uses memory to keep the page loaded and updated. Even tabs you are not looking at still consume resources.

Tab Suspender Pro is an extension that automatically suspends tabs you have not used recently. When a tab is suspended, it is essentially put to sleep, freeing up the memory it was using. When you click on the suspended tab, it reloads instantly.

To use Tab Suspender Pro, search for it in the Chrome Web Store and add it to your browser. The extension works automatically once installed. You can customize how quickly tabs are suspended and which websites should never be suspended. Many users find that Tab Suspender Pro cuts Chrome’s memory usage in half without affecting their workflow.

This is not the only tab management solution available, but it is one of the most straightforward options for users who want to keep many tabs open for reference without the performance penalty.

Adjust Network Prediction Settings

Chrome can predict what you are going to do next and preload resources to make browsing feel faster. This feature is called “Network prediction” and it can be helpful, but it also uses additional memory and bandwidth.

To adjust this setting, go to Settings, then click “Privacy and security” in the sidebar. Click “Cookies and other site data.” Look for “Preload pages for faster browsing and searching” and select “No preloading.” This will use slightly less RAM and data, though pages may load marginally slower.

If you have a fast internet connection and plenty of data, you can leave this on for the best possible browsing speed. On slower connections or very limited data plans, turning it off can improve overall performance.

Clear Cache and Browsing Data Regularly

Over time, Chrome stores cached files, cookies, and other data to speed up repeated visits to websites. However, this cached data can build up and eventually slow down Chrome.

To clear this data, press “Ctrl + Shift + Delete” on Windows or “Cmd + Shift + Delete” on Mac. Select “All time” as the time range and check the boxes for “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data.” Click “Clear data.”

Doing this once a week or even once a month can keep Chrome running smoothly. You do not need to clear your saved passwords or autofill data unless you want a completely fresh start.

Disable Unnecessary Site Permissions

Websites can request various permissions, such as access to your location, camera, microphone, or notifications. These permissions can run in the background and use resources even when you are not interacting with the site.

To manage site permissions, go to Settings and click “Privacy and security,” then “Site Settings.” Review each permission category and consider restricting permissions for sites you do not visit often. For example, you can set “Notifications” to “Block” for most sites unless you specifically need them.

This not only improves performance but also enhances your privacy and security while browsing.

Keep Chrome Updated

Chrome regularly releases updates that include performance improvements and bug fixes. Using an outdated version of Chrome can mean missing out on important optimizations.

To check for updates, click the three dots in Chrome, then go to “Help” and select “About Google Chrome.” Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them. Make sure “Auto-update” is enabled in your system settings so you always have the latest version.

Putting It All Together

You do not need to enable every setting to see improvement. Start with Memory Saver and Tab Suspender Pro, as these two changes typically provide the biggest performance boost for computers with limited RAM. Then gradually enable other settings based on your needs.

If your computer is still slow after adjusting Chrome settings, consider closing other programs while browsing, restarting your computer regularly, or upgrading your RAM if possible. Every little bit helps, and combining these Chrome optimizations with good browsing habits can make a noticeable difference in your daily experience.

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