Google Chrome is the king of web browsers but if you're here it's probably because the king has gone a bit insane. Is Chrome running slow, crashing, freezing, or not even loading? Are web pages not loading anymore? Is your browser experience getting slower every day?
Restart your Mac. Remove Chrome extensions (for steps see 'Google Chrome keeps crashing' section). Disable or relaunch hardware acceleration; Hardware acceleration is supposed to speed up your Chrome at the cost of your Mac's hardware resources. But quite often this feature crashes things. Hardware acceleration is found here.
For Mac OS X 10.10 or later. This computer will no longer receive Google Chrome updates because Mac OS X 10.6 - 10.9 are no longer supported. This computer will no longer receive Google Chrome. Green: Update is available for 2 days. Orange: Update is available for 4 days. Red: Update is available for 7 days. In case, you see this, you need to follow the steps below, to update Chrome. Firstly, on your computer, navigate to Chrome. On the top right corner, click More. Now, click Update Google Chrome. How to Reset Chrome Browser Settings to Default. Again, this resets just about everything to do with Chrome web browser on a Mac, Windows, or Linux PC, so be certain that is what you want to do: Open the Chrome browser to a new browser window; Click on the dots icon button in the upper right corner, then choose 'Settings'.
Apple macintosh os x. If you're experiencing any of those Chrome problems, you've come to the right place. We're going to show you how to troubleshoot and resolve common Chrome problems that make you feel like Google hates Macs.
Some fixes will be easier than others but none require advanced knowledge.
If you're ready to fix Chrome, let's begin!
Is it your Mac or Chrome that is slow?
Chrome isn't an independent entity, it's a part of a whole Mac system. So before you deal with Chrome, make sure the problem isn't in your macOS. A quick example — the outdated system caches causing your Chrome plugins to crash. Or is your Mac gasping for free space?
A clever path is to give your macOS a good cleanup, first. We like CleanMyMac X app for this purpose as it finds and cleans all redundant & conflicting files across all your folders. So, take 2 minutes to tidy up your Mac with CleanMyMac X, and let's move further.
CleanMyMac is available for a free download here — this app is notarized by Apple, so no worries.
Common Chrome problems on Mac (and their fixes)
Mac battery draining fast
Update Chrome Mac Command Line
Chrome is known for its fast performance, which it gets by using your Mac's CPU more than other browsers. But more CPU usage means more battery drain. If you use your laptop on the go, this can become a huge issue. What good is performance if your battery is completely drained and you can't turn on your Mac?
If Mac battery life is important to you, then there's a simple trick that should be a big help. Often there is a tab or an extension that is hogging your resources and burning through your battery life by itself.
Follow these steps to find the offending site or extension:
- Open Chrome and choose Window in the top menu.
- Click on Task Manager.
- In Task Manager, click the Memory Footprint column to sort them.
Now you can determine what sites and extensions use up the most memory in Chrome. You can still visit one of these sites but maybe don't leave it open in a tab anymore. Also, remember that even sites that aren't memory hogs can still be a battery drain if you have a lot of tabs open.
Close resource-hungry and unnecessary tabs and the time you get from a battery charge should start to improve.
Chrome is running slow
Does Chrome on your Mac feel like browsing through a swamp? If browser responsiveness is slowing, it's time to drain the swamp.
Why is Google Chrome so slow? We mentioned earlier that Chrome is resource-heavy, especially on your CPU. Chrome is fast when your Mac has the resources available, but when they are limited, and Chrome is demanding more than your Mac can give – swamp time.
The tip from the previous section will help a lot, but if you're still experiencing slowness, there are other fixes you can turn to.
Let's start by focusing on the cache. Chrome loves storing lots of your web browsing data. At first, it can help speed things along, but soon Chrome's pockets are being weighed down by cache, particularly if your Mac is low on space or memory.
To manually delete your Chrome cache on Mac:
- Open Chrome and choose Chrome in the top menu.
- Select Clear Browsing Data.
- Check the history, cache, cookies, and other types of browser data that you want to delete.
- Click 'Clear data.'
Again, there's another method for clearing out your cache, cookies, browser history, autofill form data, and a whole lot more. You can use the free version of CleanMyMac X. There's surely no easier way to manage not just the cache that's slowing down Chrome, but also your privacy and security — if these things are important to you (they should be).
To delete Chrome cache and other browsing data with CleanMyMac X:
- Download the free edition of CleanMyMac X and launch the app.
- Go to the Privacy tab and select Chrome.
- Select what you want to clean.
Or you can even use CleanMyMac X's System Junk cleanup tool that not only removes Chrome cache files but also gets rid of 'temporary' files that clog up your system. So, hopefully, your browser will get a bit snappier.
Сhrome using significant energy on Mac
'Chrome using significant energy' may be a sign of general memory overload on your computer. Try opening your Activity Monitor and check off a few memory consumers.
- Open the Launchpad and type in Activity Monitor in the search bar.
- Now, sort by Energy and use the [x] button to quit a process.
Disable background synchronization
There's another setting that may help you out. Sadly, it's buried too deep in Chrome's Preferences but according to many users, it should greatly reduce energy consumption by Chrome.
- Open Chrome and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy and security > Site Settings.
- Scroll down and click 'Background sync.'
- Use the slider to disable the background sync.
What does it do? It stops the websites from communicating with your Mac (even after you've left that site). Was it enabled by default is a different question.
Chrome keeps freezing
Your browser is not just slow as a snail but keeps freezing? A spinning circle appears for a while? This is ordinary trouble with web browsers after continued use. And it may relate to the problem with the browser cache.
We've already told you how to remove the Chrome cache, so just go to the previous section and choose the way that works best for you: manual or easy one. Hopefully, this will help you to get rid of the spinning beach ball and fix the freezing issue.
Other ideas to try:
- Close all tabs
- Restore settings (Settings > Advanced > Reset settings)
- Log out from all your Google accounts and log in back again.
- Try browsing in an incognito window and see if that helps.
- Reinstall Chrome from scratch
Some services, like Dropbox, Alfred, and notably, Google Drive are constantly self-updating in the background. As in the previous step, you can use Activity Monitor and force-quit these processes.
Google Chrome is not responding
However, if your browser is not responding at all and you can't open the menu to clear the cache, browsing history, or delete extensions, try to force quit Chrome and then launch it again.
Apple computer backup devices. There are a few possible ways to force quit Google Chrome. Here is our comprehensive guide 'How to force quit Mac applications' that offers five different ways to deal with unresponsive apps. Pc sound mixer software download. Pick your favorite one.
There are is a number of background plugins operating invisibly on every Mac. They could be various helpers, updaters, and everything else that supports the main application. For example, Chrome itself has an updater app that constantly communicates with the server. So, once again, go to your Activity Monitor and scan through your open processes. Try quitting anything Google-related there.
Another idea to try is to free up your RAM (random access memory) in the Terminal. This should unfreeze your Chrome, at least temporarily.
- Open your Terminal app (you can find it via the Launchpad search).
- Now, paste in
sudo purgeinto the Terminal window. - Hit Enter
See if Chrome is feeling better now.
Google Chrome keeps crashing
Chrome freezing is one thing but crashing? That's a much bigger issue as it's a sign that something is broken. But what do we do with things that are broken around here? We fix them!
Probably the most common cause of crashes is a byproduct of one of Chrome's strengths – its constant stream of exciting extensions. They make our browser experience more enjoyable and productive, but occasionally one of these extensions will be corrupted or introduce a bug that causes Chrome to crash.
Here's what you should do to find a problematic Chrome extension.
- Update your browser
- Run a Safety check
- Turn off browser extensions
Make sure Chrome is updated to the latest version. A new update could very well include the fix that will stop Chrome crashing.
The latest version of Google Chrome has a feature called Safety check. Go to Chrome Settings and select 'Safety check' from the menu on the left. Press 'Check now.' The browser will run a quick check to determine whether Google Chrome is up-to-date and protected from threats.
If that didn't work or everything was already up-to-date, you can manually turn off your extensions and turn them back on, one at a time. This way, if the crashing goes away until a certain extension is turned back on – that's when you've probably found the problem.
To manually disable and remove Chrome extensions:
- Open Chrome and go to Window > Extensions.
- Disable a few extensions or click Remove to completely delete them.
- Relaunch Chrome.
Spend some time using Chrome without extensions and then slowly turn each one back on until your crashing returns. When you think you have the culprit, simply click the Trash can next to that extension in Settings > Extensions.
An even easier way to manage your extensions is with CleanMyMac X. You get more control over all your extensions, even those from other browsers, and disabling and removing them is as easy as can be.
To disable Chrome extensions the simple way:
- Click on the Extensions tab in CleanMyMac.
- Click on Chrome Extensions and disable as you like.
Chrome won't open
Here's the list of hacks you can try if you want to repair Chrome. When Chrome won't open, the easiest is to restart your Mac. But that could be a bit disruptive. So here you are, some alternatives:
- Press and hold Command + Q — this will quit Chrome.
- Press Option + Command + Esc — opens a Force Quit pane.
- Uninstall Chrome and download it again.
If that doesn't help, there's a possibility that the problem is Google folder permissions.
Web pages not loading in Chrome
'Aw snap!'
This is Chrome's custom message for when a web page fails to load. If you get this cheeky little message or any other loading error, chances are you're going to fail to see the funny side.
The reasons for Chrome not loading pages can be wide-ranging and hard to pinpoint, but we've collected a checklist of fixes for you to work through.
- Check your internet connection.
- Update Chrome.
- Restart your Mac.
- Remove Chrome extensions (for steps see 'Google Chrome keeps crashing' section).
- Disable or relaunch hardware acceleration
Hardware acceleration is supposed to speed up your Chrome at the cost of your Mac's hardware resources. But quite often this feature crashes things.
Hardware acceleration is found here:
Chrome > Settings > Advanced > System
If you're still unable to load web pages, a reset or reinstall of Chrome may be needed. We cover that very fix in the next section.
Chrome update failed
Chrome won't update? Some users have experienced the frustration of Chrome refusing to update on a Mac. The first step would just be patience, but if days have passed and you're still not getting anywhere, a reset or reinstall of Chrome may be in order.
To reset Chrome manually:
- Launch Chrome and go to Preferences
- Scroll to the bottom and click on Advanced Settings.
- Scroll to the bottom and click on Reset Settings.
- Read the pop-up and Reset.
- Relaunch Chrome and try to update.
Note: Resetting Chrome will not remove your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords. A manual reset can be a bit scary, but as a workaround, you can use CleanMyMac X to reset Chrome without losing any data.
Reset Chrome with CleanMyMac X's free tool:
- Open CleanMyMac X
- Go to Uninstaller tab and find Google Chrome in the list
- Click Application Reset in the dropdown menu next to the Chrome icon.
If the browser is still not updating, download the latest installation file from the web and reinstall Chrome.
More tips to troubleshoot Chrome
Your Chrome browser should now be running great, but wait; there's more! To improve your future browsing experience we're sharing some of our favorite Chrome settings. Try these out and fall in love with Chrome even more.
Enable Prefetch
Want your web pages to load even faster? Go to Settings > Privacy and security. Here, select 'Cookies and other site data.' Toggle on 'Preload pages for faster browsing and searching.' This enables 'page prefetch' and makes Google Chrome load pages faster. Now the system will store the page and automatically load it the next time you visit the website.
Use shortcuts in Chrome browser
You'd be amazed at how much faster you can surf the web and get things done by learning just a few key shortcuts.
For example:
Command + t = new tab
Command + h = hide Chrome
Command + r = reload web page
Find the full list of commands at the official Google Chrome Support page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Chrome keep freezing?
Usually, this is caused be caused by outdated browser caches. Open Chrome's Preferences to delete recent browser data.
Why does Chrome use so much memory?
Chrome is in a constant back and forth with Google's servers to process your data. You can help it by optimizing memory usage on your Mac. Use the Mac tune-up app, CleanMyMac X, to free up RAM and you disable heavy memory consumers.
How can I speed up my browsing experience?
As a first step, try removing all the unnecessary extensions in Chrome. Also, try to not use more than 2 memory-heavy services, like DropBox or Google Drive at a time.
That's it. Hopefully, these fixes have made your web surfing better than it's ever been. It just goes to show that even drastic problems like Chrome crashing can be solved with a little know-how and helpful apps like CleanMyMac X.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned!
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Google Chrome is one of the most popular internet browsers on the planet. However, it is not without its flaws. A lot of users have been complaining that Chrome keeps crashing on Mac. If you're a Chrome user and facing issues running the browser on your Mac, then we've got some possible solutions for you.
Those who rely on Google's services and the ecosystem, will obviously want to use Chrome on their Mac. Everything becomes easier after installing Chrome and switching it for Safari. Chrome crashing on Mac is not uncommon, and can be fixed easily. We've got a detailed troubleshooting guide for you, which offers possible fixes for Chrome crashing on your Mac. Let's take a look at some of these fixes.
Google Chrome Keeps Crashing on Mac? How to Fix the Issue
There could be several reasons as to why Chrome keeps freezing on your Mac computer. Although this isn't a very common issue, some users do face it once in a while. For some, the browser crashes as soon as they click on the icon, while some complain about tabs not working or pages not loading.
Google Chrome eats RAM like there's no tomorrow, so if your Mac computer is low on RAM, then that could be the issue why Chrome keeps crashing. If your Mac is good enough and still unable to run Chrome properly, then the problem is with the browser. I've listed some of the most common solutions below.
Update Google Chrome On Mac
Quick Access:
#1. Clear Chrome Browsing Data on Mac
If your Chrome browser isn't loading tabs or pages properly, then you should try to clear the browsing data. To do this, you will need to do the following:
Step #1. Open Chrome on your Mac and click on the three-dotted button on the top right corner of the Chrome browser. It's located next to your profile picture.
There could be several reasons as to why Chrome keeps freezing on your Mac computer. Although this isn't a very common issue, some users do face it once in a while. For some, the browser crashes as soon as they click on the icon, while some complain about tabs not working or pages not loading.
Google Chrome eats RAM like there's no tomorrow, so if your Mac computer is low on RAM, then that could be the issue why Chrome keeps crashing. If your Mac is good enough and still unable to run Chrome properly, then the problem is with the browser. I've listed some of the most common solutions below.
Update Google Chrome On Mac
Quick Access:
#1. Clear Chrome Browsing Data on Mac
If your Chrome browser isn't loading tabs or pages properly, then you should try to clear the browsing data. To do this, you will need to do the following:
Step #1. Open Chrome on your Mac and click on the three-dotted button on the top right corner of the Chrome browser. It's located next to your profile picture.
Step #2. Select Settings and scroll down till you find the Advanced section.
Step #3. Find the Clear Browsing Data option and click on it.
Step #4. Select All time and clear all data. This will erase everything and is similar to a factory reset.
Step #5. Check if the browser works fine now.
#2. Check for Network Issues in macOS
It is possible that the Chrome browser keeps crashing due to network issues. If the network connection isn't working properly, then you may experience issues with Chrome. Check if your Wi-Fi connection is working, and if it isn't, then restart the router or try to connect to another network. Now check if the browser is loading properly.
#3. Quit Chrome and Restart Mac
If the Chrome browser is stuck, then you can try to Force Quit it and do a restart. To force quit Chrome, click on the Apple() logo in the Menu bar while you're in the browser. Here, click on the option that says Force Quit.
If the mouse/trackpad isn't responding, then you can press and hold down ‘Command+Option+Escape‘ keys on the keyboard. Select Google Chrome and force close the browser.
You might also want to restart your Mac just to make sure everything is running normally again. Try if Chrome is working properly now.
#4. Check Extensions on Chrome
At times, the issue could be related to a bad extension that you've installed on your Chrome browser. This may cause the browser to keep crashing. In this case, you will have to head over to the Extension manager and delete the faulty extension. To check the problem causing extension, open Chrome in Incognito mode and then enable each extension to check which one causes a crash. Incognito mode automatically disables all extensions, and is therefore the best way to find the culprit.
To open a new page in Incognito Mode, click on the three-dotted button and select ‘New Incognito Window‘.
Now head to More Tools → Extensions to remove the faulty extension.
#5. Check for Chrome Updates on Mac
You may also want to check if you're running the latest version of the Chrome browser. Google usually pushes updates with bug fixes, hence, it is a good idea to check for updates. To see if you're running the latest version of Chrome, click on the three-dotted button and then select Help → About Google Chrome. If any updates are available, you will see it on this page.
You should also try to uninstall Chrome and reinstall it to see if that fixes the problem. Sometimes, it could just be that the browser didn't install properly the first time.
#6. Turn Off Hardware Acceleration in Google Chrome
Some users suggest turning off hardware acceleration if your Chrome browser is freezing or crashing all the time. This option is available in Settings, and can be disabled easily. To turn off the feature, navigate to Settings → Advanced → and disable ‘Use hardware acceleration when available‘.
Summing Up
Those were some of the possible solutions that you can use to fix Google Chrome crashing issues on your Mac. Most of the time, it's something simple that's causing the browser to not function properly. Try out all the fixes above to see what works best for you.
Read More! How to Open Links in Chrome on iPhone
Were you able to solve Chrome issues using the above mentioned fixes?
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
Install Chrome On Macbook
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