How To Fix Chrome High CPU Usage Issue - Setapp

▼ Key Takeaways: Fix Chrome high CPU usage on Mac

• Chrome's CPU spikes come from everyday habits. Too many open tabs, heavy extensions, and outdated software are usually the culprits. Closing unused tabs and updating Chrome regularly can solve most performance issues without needing advanced tools.
• Chrome Task Manager reveals the real resource hogs. Not all tabs use the same CPU — streaming sites and live dashboards drain far more than static pages. Use Window > Task Manager to identify and close high-usage tabs or extensions instantly.
• Mac optimization tools handle what Chrome can't. Apps like CleanMyMac, App Tamer, and Endurance give you real-time monitoring, CPU throttling, and battery-saving controls that Chrome doesn't offer natively.
• Resetting Chrome fixes stubborn slowdowns. If updates and tab management don't help, restoring Chrome to factory defaults clears corrupted data and rogue extensions. Follow up with a malware scan using CleanMyMac's Protection feature to catch any lingering threats.
• Try 250+ productivity apps risk-free with Setapp. All the tools mentioned here are available on Setapp's 7-day free trial, giving you access to a full suite of Mac and iOS apps designed to keep your workflow smooth and your system optimized.

Chrome is a powerhouse browser, but it can also be a real resource hog—especially if you’re a Mac user juggling work, creative projects, or client calls. If you’ve ever watched your Mac slow to a crawl or heard its fans whirring just because Chrome is open, you’re not alone.

In this guide, I’ll show you practical, up-to-date steps to lower Chrome’s CPU usage, fix slowdowns, and keep your Mac running smoothly.

Stop CPU spikes before they slow you down

CleanMyMac monitors your Mac's performance in real time and identifies resource-hungry processes instantly. Available on Setapp.

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Step-by-step fixes to lower Chrome CPU usage

Follow these steps to lower CPU usage in order for the best results. Most users see improvements after the first few.

Before you troubleshoot: For stubborn Chrome CPU problems that basic troubleshooting won't fix, try running your symptoms through the Fix My Mac GPT assistant. It helped me identify a specific combination of settings and background processes that were keeping my Mac's fans running constantly

1. Keep Google Chrome up to date

If Chrome is draining your battery or spiking your CPU, updating is your first move. Google constantly releases security patches and performance fixes (Chrome release notes), so running the latest version is crucial.

How to update Chrome:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome.
3. If an update is available, click Update Google Chrome.
4. Relaunch Chrome to apply changes.

Learn more abouthow to update Google Chrome.

While you’re in settings: Press Shift + Command + Delete (or go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data) to wipe old cache and cookies. This can resolve lingering CPU spikes caused by corrupted data.

2. Close unused Chrome tabs

The fix is simple: close the ones you’re not actively using.

I love having multiple tabs open — it’s so convenient to keep all my important websites just a click away. But too many open tabs are the biggest culprit behind Chrome’s high CPU usage.

Quick ways to close tabs:

• Click the X on any tab you don’t need.
• Use Command + W to close the active tab.
• Right-click a tab and select Close Other Tabs or Close Tabs to the Right to clean up in bulk.

3. Find the Chrome tab using the most CPU

Here’s something I’ve learned: not all Chrome tabs use the same amount of resources. A simple text page barely uses CPU, but a live dashboard or video stream can spike usage fast.

How to spot the worst offenders:

1. Go to Window > Task Manager in Chrome.
2. Sort by CPU or Memory Footprint.
3. Select any high-usage tab or extension.
4. Click End Process to close it.

Extra tip: If Chrome still runs hot after closing tabs, try turning off graphics acceleration:

1. Go to Chrome > Settings > System.
2. Turn off Use graphics acceleration when available.
3. Restart Chrome.

This can help if your Mac’s GPU is struggling with Chrome’s demands.

4. Monitor system load with CleanMyMac

Constantly checking Chrome’s Task Manager gets old fast. That’s where CleanMyMac comes in handy, a top-rated Mac optimizer with a live monitoring panel in your menu bar.

What it does:

• Shows real-time CPU, RAM, and disk usage.
• Alerts you to unusual spikes.
• Lets you clear RAM, remove malware, or free up space in one click.

How to use it:

1. Install and open CleanMyMac.
2. Check the menu bar widget for CPU and memory stats.
3. Run a quick cleanup by quitting Top Consumers.

Need more Mac productivity tips? Check out our other guides:

• Safari vs. Google Chrome: What browser is better for Mac
• How to lower CPU usage on Mac
• How to fix Chrome browser problems on a Mac

5. Limit CPU usage with App Tamer

If a single app is hogging your CPU,App Tamer (a CPU-throttling utility for macOS) lets you set limits.

How to throttle Chrome with App Tamer:

1. Install and open App Tamer from your menu bar.
2. Choose Google Chrome.
3. Select "Slow down this app if it uses more than:" and set your preferred CPU limit.

This can keep Chrome from overwhelming your Mac, especially during heavy multitasking.

6. Extend battery life with Endurance

If Chrome is chewing through your battery,Endurance is a small utility that can help you squeeze out up to 20% more life. It pauses unnecessary services, dims your screen, and slows background apps automatically.

To use Endurance:

1. Install and open the app.
2. In the app menu bar, choose "Open Endurance Preferences" to customize what gets paused or dimmed.
3. Let it run in the background for automatic savings.

7. Review your Chrome extensions

Chrome’s rich extension ecosystem is both a blessing and a curse. Each extension can act like a mini-app, running its own background process and using CPU, even when you’re not actively using it.

How to manage extensions:

1. Typechrome://extensions/ in your address bar.
2. Turn off or click Remove for any extension you don’t need.
3. Restart Chrome for changes to take effect.

8. Restore Chrome to default settings

If you’ve tried everything and Chrome still runs hot, resetting it to factory defaults can help.

To reset Chrome:

1. Open Settings ( or press Command + ,).
2. Click Reset settings in the left sidebar.
3. Click Restore settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. Confirm Reset settings.

Security tip:

After resetting, run a CleanMyMac Protection scan to catch any browser hijackers or malicious extensions that could be causing CPU spikes.

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Why does Chrome use so much CPU, RAM, and battery?

The short answer: Chrome eats through CPU, RAM, and battery when you pile on tabs, heavy media streams, or resource-hungry extensions. Each runs in its own sandboxed process, so the load quickly multiplies.

You’ll probably notice Chrome’s high CPU usage when your Mac starts acting up — lagging, freezing, getting hot, or running its fans at full blast. I’ve been there, and it’s frustrating.

Chrome ranks among the most demanding browsers. However, it rarely causes problems alone. Performance issues usually stem from how you use Chrome and your Mac.

Common triggers for high Chrome CPU usage:

• Too many open tabs (each tab is its own process)
• Multiple heavy extensions running in the background
• Streaming high-resolution videos or animations
• Auto-playing video ads and interactive web apps
• Outdated browser version or corrupted cache

When Chrome slows down your Mac, it affects everything. As someone who relies on my Mac for professional work, I’ve found these solutions essential for maintaining productivity.

How to fix Chrome high CPU usage issue: Final insights

• Chrome’s high CPU usage is usually caused by too many tabs, heavy extensions, or outdated software.
• Start with the basics: update Chrome, clear cache, and close unused tabs.
• Use built-in tools (like Chrome Task Manager) and third-party apps (CleanMyMac, App Tamer, Endurance) for deeper fixes.
• Reset Chrome or scan for malware if all else fails.
• Keeping Chrome lean means a smoother, more productive Mac—especially for professionals and creatives.

All the apps mentioned here are available on Setapp, where you cantry them with a 7-day free trial alongside 250+ other Mac and iOS apps designed to streamline your Mac workflow.

This article was reviewed for technical accuracy and updated for 2026. For more expert Mac tips, visitSetapp.

FAQ

How do I stop Chrome from using so much CPU?

To stop Chrome from using CPU:

• Close unused tabs.
• Disable or remove unnecessary extensions.
• Update Chrome to the latest version.
• Use Chrome Task Manager (Window > Task Manager) to end high-CPU processes.

Why does Chrome use so much RAM?

Chrome uses a multi-process architecture. Each tab, extension, and plugin runs in its own process for stability and security. This design improves performance but also increases RAM usage compared to single-process browsers.

How can I tell which tab or extension is slowing Chrome down?

Open Window > Task Manager in Chrome (or press Shift + Esc). Sort by CPU or memory usage to see which tabs or extensions are using the most resources. End any that are hogging power.

Should I turn off hardware acceleration to fix high CPU use?

Turning off hardware acceleration can help if your Mac’s GPU is struggling or you see visual glitches. To toggle:

• Go to Settings > System in Chrome.
• Toggle Use hardware acceleration when available off.
• Restart Chrome.

Note: Disabling this may reduce performance for some tasks, especially video playback.

Can Chrome extensions slow down my Mac?

Yes. Each extension runs a background process that can use CPU and memory, especially if poorly optimized. Disable or remove extensions you don’t need. Tools like CleanMyMac make it easy to audit and manage extensions across browsers.

Is it safe to force-quit Chrome processes?

Yes. Chrome is designed to handle crashed or closed tabs and extensions safely. Force-quitting a process via Task Manager will only close that tab or extension, not the whole browser. You may lose unsaved work in that tab, but the rest of Chrome will keep running.