If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your screen, frustrated because Google Chrome is not responding, you’re not alone. Whether you’re trying to load a page, open a new tab, or simply browse as usual—and Chrome stalls, freezes, or becomes unresponsive—this guide will walk you through practical, high-value solutions. By the end of this article, you’ll know how to fix Google Chrome not responding issues confidently and restore smooth browsing.
In today’s hyper-connected world, your browser is your gateway to work, entertainment, and communication. Having Chrome behave erratically or stop responding can feel like a major stumbling block. Fortunately, many of the causes are manageable—from resource overloads and problematic extensions to hardware acceleration conflicts and malware. Read on for step-by-step solutions that will help you get Chrome back on track.
Why Chrome Becomes Unresponsive and How to Diagnose It
What triggers the “Chrome not responding” error?
To fix Google Chrome not responding, it helps to understand why the issue arises in the first place. Here are some frequent culprits:
- Too many open tabs or windows consuming RAM and CPU resources. Reddit+3Google Help+3Lifewire+3
- Faulty or outdated extensions interfering with browser operation. Reddit+2JustAnswer+2
- Hardware acceleration conflicts, especially on older or overloaded systems. Lifewire+1
- Malware, corrupted profile data, or OS/driver mismatches causing instability. JustAnswer+2Microsoft Learn+2
- Network issues or website-specific problems masquerading as browser failure. Google Help+1
Quick diagnostic table
StepWhat to checkWhy it matters1Open Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS)If Chrome is using excessive RAM/CPU, it might freeze due to resource exhaustion.2Try disabling all extensions temporarilyAn extension may be causing the “not responding” issue—disabling helps isolate it.3Disable hardware acceleration in ChromeIf GPU conflicts are present, this step often resolves freezing issues. Google Help+14Check your internet/network connectionA stuck network request can hang Chrome even if the browser itself is fine.5Try another browser (e.g., Edge, Firefox)If the other browser works fine, it’s likely a Chrome-specific issue.
Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Google Chrome Not Responding
Close unnecessary tabs and programs
One of the simplest fixes to the “Chrome not responding” problem is freeing up memory and CPU resources. Close tabs you don’t need, shut down other heavy applications (video editors, VMs, large games), and try again. According to Google’s help page:
“Close every tab except for the one that’s showing the error message… Quit other apps or programs that are running.” Google Help
Using fewer resources often stabilises Chrome instantly.
Update Chrome to the latest version
Outdated browser versions can introduce bugs and compatibility issues.
How to update:
- Click the three-dot menu → Help → About Google Chrome.
- Chrome will automatically check for updates and prompt you to relaunch if one is available.
Outdated versions are a common reason for instability. JustAnswer+1
Disable or uninstall problematic extensions
Extensions are great—but they can also bring issues.
Steps:
- Go to Menu → More tools → Extensions
- Toggle off all extensions, then relaunch Chrome.
- If this fixes the “not responding” error, turn extensions back on one by one to identify the culprit.
Users on Reddit report success with this approach:
“Turn off all extensions in the browser and check if there are still problems with freezing.” Reddit
Clear cache, cookies, and browsing history
Accumulated data can slow Chrome or cause hang-ups.
Steps:
- Menu → More tools → Clear browsing data
- Select “All time” and check boxes for “Cookies and other site data” & “Cached images and files”
- Click Clear data
Cleaning this out often restores performance. Lifewire
Disable hardware acceleration
Hardware acceleration lets Chrome use your GPU for rendering—but if your drivers are outdated or incompatible, it can cause Chrome to freeze or show “not responding”.
To disable it:
- Go to Menu → Settings → Advanced → System
- Toggle off “Use hardware acceleration when available”
- Relaunch the browser.
Google lists this among recommended troubleshooting steps. Google Help+1
Check for malware and unwanted software
Malware or unwanted programs can hijack resources or interfere with Chrome.
Suggestions:
- Run a full system scan using a reliable antivirus.
- In Chrome: Menu → Settings → Advanced → Reset and clean up → Clean up computer → Find.
- Remove any unwanted software found by Chrome’s cleanup tool. JustAnswer+1
Create a new Chrome user profile or reset settings
If your profile is corrupted, Chrome may act erratically.
Options:
- Create a new profile: Menu → Settings → You and Google → Add person.
- Or reset Chrome: Menu → Settings → Advanced → Reset and clean up → Restore settings to their original defaults.
Resetting won’t delete bookmarks or passwords if synced, but will disable extensions and revert custom settings. JustAnswer+1
Uninstall and reinstall Chrome
As a last resort, reinstalling Chrome gives you a clean slate.
Steps:
- Export your bookmarks (Menu → Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager → Export).
- Uninstall Chrome via Control Panel (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
- After uninstalling, delete “C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome” (Windows) or corresponding Mac folder—this ensures no old data remains. Ten Forums+1
- Reinstall Chrome from the official site and import your bookmarks.
Update your OS, drivers, and system firmware
Even if it seems like a Chrome issue, sometimes system-level components are the underlying cause.
Ensure the following are up to date:
- Operating system (Windows Update / macOS Software Update)
- GPU drivers and network drivers
- Motherboard firmware (BIOS/UEFI)
Users have found that domain-wide issues can stem from driver mismatches. Ten Forums+1
Monitor resource usage and manage tabs responsibly
For long-term stability, it’s wise to keep an eye on how many tabs you have open and how much memory you’re using.
Tips:
- Use Chrome’s built-in Task Manager (Menu → More tools → Task Manager) to see which tabs/extensions consume most memory.
- Consider suspending idle tabs using extensions (like The Great Suspender). Lifewire
- Limit open tabs if your machine has low RAM (< 8 GB).
- Consider using Chrome’s new “Performance Issue Alerts” and Memory Saver mode (available in newer versions) to manage high-resource usage. The Verge
Quick Fix Checklist for Chrome Not Responding
FixApplies whenTime to performClose extra tabs & programsBrowser hangs or slows down~2 minutesUpdate ChromeOutdated browser & general instability~3 minutesDisable extensionsRecent freezes after installing an extension~5 minutesClear cache & cookiesSluggish performance with lots of stored data~3 minutesTurn off hardware accelerationFreeze on GPU-heavy sites or videos~2 minutesMalware scanUnexplained browser behaviour or redirect loopsVariesCreate new profile/reset settingsProfile corruption suspected~5–10 minutesReinstall ChromeAll else fails, fresh install needed~10 minutesUpdate OS & driversHardware issues with browser performance~15–30 minutesManage tabs & resourcesLong-term stability improvementOngoing
Best Practices to Prevent Chrome from Getting “Not Responding” Again
- Keep Chrome and your system updated: This ensures bug-fixes and compatibility improvements.
- Install only necessary extensions and regularly review unused ones.
- Avoid opening dozens of tabs at once, especially on low-RAM machines.
- Use tab-suspender extensions or built-in memory saving features to reduce resource load.
- Run regular malware scans and keep your antivirus/antimalware tools current.
- Back up important browser data (bookmarks, passwords) via Chrome Sync.
- Avoid experimental flags unless you know what you’re doing, as they can introduce instability.
- Use reliable, consistent network connections, as unstable Wi-Fi may cause freezes that appear like browser issues. Ten Forums
Internal Linking Suggestions
- Link from this article to your site’s content on “How to speed up your browser” or “Top Chrome extensions for productivity.”
- Provide a link to a tutorial on “Backing up and syncing bookmarks in Chrome,” if available.
- Reference a page about “How to choose the best browser for your system,” and compare alternatives if Chrome keeps malfunctioning.
FAQs
Why does Chrome say “Not Responding” when I open a webpage?
This message usually means Chrome is waiting for a resource—such as too many tabs consuming memory, a conflicting extension, or a hardware/software component interfering. Start by freeing memory (close tabs/apps), disabling extensions, and turning off hardware acceleration.
Will clearing cache and cookies delete my bookmarks or saved passwords?
No – clearing cache and cookies removes temporary site data, not your Chrome profile’s core data (bookmarks, saved passwords, extensions remain). However, if you reset Chrome settings (not just clear cache), your extensions and settings will revert.
Is disabling hardware acceleration safe for long-term Chrome use?
Yes. Disabling hardware acceleration means Chrome won’t use your GPU for certain tasks, which slightly reduces performance on graphics-heavy webpages/videos—but it’s a safe trade-off if acceleration is causing unresponsiveness. If things normalize after disabling, you can keep it off.
What if none of the solutions fix the “Chrome not responding” issue?
If you’ve tried all the major steps—updates, extensions, malware scan, reset profile—and Chrome still doesn’t respond, the issue may lie with your operating system, drivers, or hardware. Consider: updating your OS/BIOS, checking for corrupt system files (e.g., sfc /scannow on Windows), testing hardware (RAM, SSD), or using an alternative browser temporarily.
Can a slow internet connection cause Chrome to become unresponsive?
Yes. A very slow or unstable network can make Chrome appear frozen, because the browser is waiting for data or timing out on requests. If other tabs/pages lag similarly or another browser behaves the same way, test your network connection too. Some users found that switching from Wi-Fi to a wired connection resolved “Chrome not responding” symptoms. Ten Forums+1
Conclusion
Dealing with a browser that is not responding can feel frustrating, but in most cases, the issue can be resolved with systematic troubleshooting. From simple actions like closing tabs and updating Chrome, to more advanced steps like resetting your profile or updating system drivers, you now have a comprehensive toolkit to fix Google Chrome not responding issues.
Remember: keeping your system and browser up to date, monitoring extensions, managing resource usage, and scanning for malware will serve you well over the long term. The key is consistency and smart maintenance—not just reactive fixes.
