How to Resolve Browser Crashes and Slowdown

When the browser crashes constantly, and your computer slows down for odd reasons, it’s frustrating, especially when you’re finishing a report on a deadline or making an online transaction.

You’re not alone in this dilemma. We have researched and collected reasons and fixes so we won’t have to experience browser crashes and slows down again, or you will be equipped with knowledge on how to fix them once they happen again.

Common Reasons Why Your Browser Crashes and Slowdown

Outdated Chrome Version: Browser updates include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements. Keeping Chrome up-to-date ensures you benefit from the latest enhancements and protections, preventing common issues.

Multiple tabs open or multiple active browser sessions: Running 10 to 15 tabs simultaneously can strain your browser’s performance by consuming significant memory and processing power. This can lead to slowdowns and crashes, especially on systems with limited resources.

Conflicting Extensions or Add-ons: Extensions and add-ons can cause crashes and slow performance if they conflict. Regularly review and manage your extensions, disabling or removing unnecessary ones for browser stability.

Malware or Virus Issue: Malware can impact browser performance, consume resources, redirect searches, and display unwanted ads. Run malware scans with reliable antivirus software to remove malicious software and restore speed and reliability.                    

Cache is Corrupted: The browser cache can become corrupted, causing performance issues. Clearing your cache helps maintain optimal performance by removing corrupted or outdated files.

Hardware and Driver Issue: Incompatible or outdated hardware drivers can lead to browser performance issues. Ensuring your hardware drivers are up-to-date and compatible with your system can help mitigate these issues.

How to Fix Browser Crashes and Slowdown

Update your Chrome Browser

Open Google Chrome Browser > Three dotted vertical lines on the upper right > Look for Help under the drop-down list > Click on About Google Chrome

Once you open the About Google Chrome section, it will lead you to either invite you to update Google Chrome or notify you that Chrome is up-to-date.

Update your Firefox Browser

Open Google Chrome Browser > Three horizontal lines on the upper right of the page > Help > About Firefox

If Firefox is up-to-date, it will say so. If not, there will be an option to update immediately. Click it.

Update Microsoft Edge Browser

Open Edge browser > three dotted horizontal lines on the upper right of the page > Look for Help and Feedback from the drop-down list > About Microsoft Edge

Once you’re on the About Microsoft Edge page, it will tell you that your browser is up to date or how to download the update and follow the prompt.

Close Unused Tabs Open or Use a Different Browser 

As stated above, opening multiple tabs can slow down your browser. A good practice is around 4 to 5. If you need more tabs open, like me, you can use Edge or Firefox as a different browser and open those pages there. Press the Alt key + Tab Key on your keyboard to change the browser simultaneously.

Manage or Delete Extensions and Ad-on

For Google Chrome Browser

Three dotted lines in the upper right corner > Look for the Settings option from the drop-down list > Extensions > Add-ons and Themes.

From the Add-ons and Themes page, you’ll see the list of add-ons and extensions you currently have. You can remove them or turn them off via the toggle button.

Use the same breadcrumbs as Chrome for the Firefox browser and look for Add-ons and Theme pages to perform the necessary tasks.

For the Microsoft Edge browser

Open Edge > Look for the extension icon on the upper right and click on it > Manage extension

Invest in a Third Party Malware and Virus Protection and Removal

If the troubleshooting above prevents you from using your browser typically without crashing or slowing down, there is a good chance that your Windows PC will be infected with a virus or malware. 

Consider using Fortect. Fortect can scan your Windows computer for viruses or malware in less than 5 minutes. Once it’s done scanning, it will prompt you on the threats your PC is acquiring, fix it, and restore your system with a boost.

Download and Install Fortect now.

Clear Cache and Delete Browsing History

Open Chrome browser > three dotted lines on the upper right of the page >Scroll down to Settings > Privacy and Security ( upper right hand ) > Delete Browsing Data > Make sure that the Browsing History and Cache Images and File is ticked >Delete Data.

This page also allows you to choose the time range ( 24 hrs, seven days, four weeks; make sure to select the last time )

Disable Hardware Acceleration

Web browsers can utilize your computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) to enhance performance for graphically intensive tasks. However, this hardware acceleration feature may contribute to browser freezes or crashes in certain situations. If you continue experiencing issues with Google Chrome after attempting other troubleshooting methods, consider turning hardware acceleration on or off to determine if it resolves the problem.

Open Chrome browser > three dotted lines > Look for System > Turn off. Use graphics acceleration when available or Use hardware acceleration when available.

Update Driver to Avoid Browser Crashes and Slowdown

Updating the driver is crucial when experiencing browser crashes because an outdated or incompatible driver can cause rendering issues, leading to crashes or freezes, especially when handling graphics-intensive content within the browser.

Start the Search bar on your computer > Device Manager > Display and Adapters > Right-click on the driver > Update Driver