When it comes to being online, few things can be more annoying than a slow browser. Unfortunately, there are many possible reasons for a browser to become sluggish.
Low Specs
More recent browsers come with many neat features, but those bells and whistles can consume a lot of computer resources. Older machines may have a hard time running resource-hungry browsers like Chrome. The obvious answer would be to simply upgrade your device. However, bolstering computer performance is not always possible, so changing to a browser that consumes less RAM and CPU power might be the only option. One of the available choices is Puffin, which uses cloud rendering and therefore offers low resource consumption.
Internet Speed
Another reason your browser runs slowly is that your internet speed is subpar. But just like upgrading computer specs, gaining internet velocity is not always possible. Again, browsers like Puffin that compress data before downloading it to your device can be a reliable solution.
Even if you have a stable and fast internet connection, there’s also the possibility that other software is robbing bandwidth from your browser. Torrent software is one common culprit. In this case, it’s best to close the offending applications or limit their bandwidth usage.
The problem could also lurk within your home network. If many computers are accessing the same network, the router may impose a bottleneck on your machine. The same thing can happen at the ISP level, which may restrict the household’s internet speed. In this case, the use of a VPN can help quicken the overall connection.
Outdated Browser
Browsers are always coming out with new updates. Besides resolving bugs, these updates often come with performance upgrades. It stands to reason that keeping your browser up to date can help with any slowdowns you’re facing.
Too Many Extensions
The more extensions you have installed, the more resources the browser will require, and the slower it will become. Investigate whether you have only the necessary extensions installed, and delete all the remaining ones.
Too Many Opened Tabs
Sometimes we go overboard and end up with dozens of opened tabs. Each tab is consuming resources in the background, taxing the browser. Two ways to solve this is by installing extensions that put those tabs to ‘sleep', or just bookmarking the pages you plan to revisit later instead of leaving them all open.
Browser Files
Every time you visit a website, various tiny files – cache, history, and cookies – are saved on your computer. Though these files can be helpful and typically enhance user experience, after a while, they accumulate and slow down the browser. Removing your browser’s baggage is a reliable go-to when trying to restore its speed. A supplementary solution is to install a registry cleaner – a great tool that ensures the housekeeping is done periodically and without requiring any user input.
Viruses and Malware
Sometimes a browser will stubbornly remain sluggish even after throwing all the tricks in the book at it. This could be a red flag indicating that your computer has become infected. Viruses and malware consume resources in the background, making other programs – browsers included – behave slowly or erratically. Run up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware apps to verify your machine’s health and bring that lethargic browser back to life.
Best Secure Browsers of 2024
Rank | Company | Info | Visit |
1
|
|
||
2
|
|
||
3
|
|
More Browsers FAQs
- How Does a Browser Know My Location?
- How Does a Browser Verify an SSL Certificate?
- How Does Incognito Mode Work?
- How Often Should I Clear My Browser’s Cache and Cookies?
- Should I Store Passwords in My Browser?
- Why Is My Browser So Slow?
Get the Best Deals on Internet Security Software
Our monthly newsletter delivers the latest internet security software deals, trends and reviews directly into your inbox.