Browser resource use has three main sources: too many tabs, resident extensions and heavy page scripts. The fixes are sleeping, on-demand activation and blocking respectively.
Where memory goes
Each tab is its own process, each extension takes its own share, and large images and video add cache. The built-in task manager sorts everything by usage.
- Built-in task manager shows per-process usage
- More tabs means more memory
- Extensions each take their own share
- Video and large images consume cache
Fixes that work
Enable tab sleeping, set unused extensions to run on click, limit background tab activity, and clear site data periodically.
- Enable tab sleeping (30 minutes by default)
- Run extensions on click
- Limit timers in background tabs
- Clear data for sites you no longer visit
When hardware is the answer
With less than 4 GB of memory and a dozen pages open, tuning helps but does not cure it. Adding memory gives the biggest jump.
- Below 4 GB, upgrading is advised
- Moving from HDD to SSD helps a lot
- Keep the browser updated
- Avoid running several heavy apps at once
FAQ
Does a sleeping tab reload the page?
No. Sleeping only releases rendering resources; waking restores the same scroll position and typed content.
Why is usage high right after startup?
Startup loads extensions and restores tabs, which is normal; unused resources are released gradually over the next few minutes.