Why Does Chrome Have So Many Processes Running?

Have you ever opened Task Manager on your computer while running Google Chrome to see how many processes the browser keeps open in the background? Even if you only have two or three tabs open, you’ll see many more Chrome entries in the Task Manager. All of them represent the processes associated with your browser. 

Find out whether Chrome running so many processes is an advantage or a disadvantage, as well as how to reduce the number of these processes. 

How to Check Chrome’s Processes in Task Manager

Task Manager is an essential tool for any user that can help you improve your computer’s performance or troubleshoot a number of issues in your operating system. There are multiple ways to open Task Manager in Windows and Mac. However, you can open Task Manager in Google Chrome to see only the processes that Chrome’s currently running. 

To open Task Manager on your computer, follow the steps below.

  1. Open the Chrome browser. 
  2. Select the three dots in the upper-right corner of your screen to open Chrome’s Menu
  1. From the menu, select More Tools > Task Manager. In Windows, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. 

This will open Task Manager in Google Chrome, so you can see the list of the active Chrome processes. 

Is Chrome Running Multiple Processes a Bad Thing? 

The secret to why Task Manager shows so many processes for Chrome is in how this browser works. Google Chrome creates three types of processes: tabs (for every tab you have open), renderers, and plug-ins. For every extra tab or extension you’re using, Chrome creates a separate set of operating system processes, all running simultaneously. 

This multi-process architecture is a unique Google Chrome feature that allows your browser to not rely on the work of every single process to function. If a particular process freezes or stops working, the other processes won’t be affected so you can resume working in Chrome. Running multiple processes simultaneously also makes Chrome more responsive. 

At the same time, some users find this problematic and look for a way to reduce the number of processes that Chrome opens up. The good news is, there’s more ways than one to do this.

How to Reduce the Number of Processes that Chrome Runs

Here are several ways that you can use to reduce the number of processes that Chrome opens. You can choose one of the methods or try all of them.

Turn Off Background Processes

Disable Google Chrome Add-Ons & Extensions

The number of active Chrome processes also depends on how many add-ons and extensions you have installed in your browser. Disabling them will help you significantly reduce the number of active processes. 

Google Chrome extensions and add-ons can improve your user experience and allow you to access functions otherwise unavailable in Chrome. However, they also eat up a lot of resources. If after you disable the extensions you realize that you don’t need them anymore, it’s better to uninstall them. 

In the extensions list, select Remove to delete an extensions from Google Chrome. 

Manually End Processes in Google Chrome

Manually removing extra processes can also help you preserve resources. You can do that via the Task Manager that’s built into Google Chrome. To do that, follow the steps below.

  1. Open Chrome’s Menu (three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen).
  2. Select More Tools.
  3. Select Task Manager
  4. Find the process that you want to delete and select End Process. You can stop more than one process at a time. To do that, hold down the Shift (for Windows) or Command (for Mac) key, then select multiple entries on the list and select End Process

Bear in mind that ending processes will close the tabs associated with them. Make sure to only end the non-essential processes that are problematic and causing your browser to slow down, like the frozen tabs or laggy extensions. Otherwise you’ll end up disabling Chrome and will have to restart the browser. 

Clear Your Browser’s Cache & Cookies

Clearing cache and cookies regularly is a preventative measure that you can take to prevent your browser from overloading and using up too many resources. Temporary files saved in Chrome might be causing issues with your current browsing session.

Make Your Browser More Efficient

By default, Google Chrome opens a separate process for every new tab, renderer, add-on or extension. One obvious way to avoid Chrome opening too many processes is by keeping fewer tabs open in your browser. Make it a habit to close every tab that you don’t need anymore after you’re finished using it. 

Does the number of Chrome processes that show up in Task Manager bother you? What method do you use to reduce this number? Share your Chrome processes-related experience in the comments section below. 


— Update: 01-03-2023 — us.suanoncolosence.com found an additional article How to Disable Multiple Chrome Processes In Windows 10/11 from the website www.techbout.com for the keyword stop multiple chrome processes from running.

If Google Chrome browser is running slow and using up excessive resources, you can find below the steps to Disable Multiple Chrome Processes on your computer.

Disable Multiple Chrome Processes

Google Chrome has been designed to create an individual process for every browser tab, plugin and extension used on the computer.

This design is based on the concept of preventing complete browser failure, if something goes wrong with the browser.

For example, if you open your favorite website on Chrome and then open other websites, your favorite website will remain active and accessible in its own browser tab, even if other browser tabs crash.

However, this feature can sometimes lead to Excessive RAM usage and slow down both the browser and other Apps running on the computer.

1. Terminate Chrome Processes Using Chrome Task Manager

Google Chrome has its own built-in Task Manager that allows you to view all the Chrome Processes running on your computer and close or terminate any running process.

2. On Chrome Task Manager screen, select the Chrome Process that you want to close and click on the End Process button.

This will terminate the selected Chrome Process, preventing it from using resources on your computer.

2. Stop Background Running Chrome Processes

Even if you close down Chrome browser, it can continue to run processes in the background. This happens when you install Chrome Plugins and Extensions that have a default tendency to run in the background.

2. On the Settings screen, select System in the left-pane. In the right-pane, disable Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed option.

This will prevent the browser from running Chrome processes in background on your computer.

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3. Set Chrome Browser to Open Single Process For Multiple Tabs

It is also possible to setup the Chrome browser on your computer to create only a single Process, even if you open Multiple tabs on the computer.

1. Right-click on the Chrome Icon (in Taskbar, Desktop or Start Menu) and click on Properties in the right-click menu.

2. On Chrome Properties screen, go to end of the line in Target box and Insert the phrase –process-per-site after the end of the text which is currently in the Target box.

Note: There needs to be a single space before –process-per-site

3. Click on Apply and OK to close Chrome properties screen.

In case you notice any issues after making this change, simply remove the parameter (–process-per-site) from the shortcut and everything will be back to normal.

This method of making Chrome Browser to open a single Process for multiple tabs works best for those users who have the habit of opening a large number of tabs from the same website.

Use Less Tabs & Extensions

Another way of preventing Google Chrome Browser from running multiple processes on your Computer is to simply use fewer Tabs, Extensions and Plugins.

Also, delete all unnecessary Plugins and Extensions and avoid opening multiple tabs. Instead of opening multiple tabs, you can get used to bookmarking web pages on your computer.

  • How to Reset Chrome Browser to Default Settings
  • How to Clear Your Browsing History in Google Chrome

— Update: 07-03-2023 — us.suanoncolosence.com found an additional article How To Disable Google Chrome Multiple Processes On Windows? from the website tweaklibrary.com for the keyword stop multiple chrome processes from running.

I am a Google Chrome user and usually open multiple tabs at the same time. But whenever that happens Chrome ends up getting too slow. This frustrates me and hence I have always been looking for a solution to disable Google Chrome multiple processes on Windows.

During this search, recently I discovered that unlike most current web browsers, Google Chrome creates an entirely separate system process for every single tab or extra extension you are using. These processes can be viewed under Windows Task Manager.

In this article, I will explain why Google Chrome has a multi-process architecture and how we can disable Google Chrome multiple processes.

Why Google Chrome Browser Creates Multiple Processes?

Google Chrome is designed to run individually for every individual tab, plugin, and extension within Google Chrome multiple processes. This design is based on the concept of preventing complete browser failure if something goes wrong. For example, if you open a website on your Chrome browser, then this website will remain active and will be accessible in its own tab, even if you open multiple other websites and one of them turns out to be slow or crashes. By separating each tab and extension into a separate process, the Chrome browser can remain active even if any tab needs to be closed.

Disable Google Chrome Multiple Processes in Windows:

In case multiple Chrome processes consume an excessive percentage of RAM or Chrome browser hangs up, you need to disable Chrome processes. This happens when you open multiple tabs while browsing and using too many Chrome Extensions and Plugins on your computer.

Source: us.suanoncolosence.com

If Google Chrome becomes slow, you can disable Google Chrome multiple processes on your computer by using the following methods.

1. Kill Chrome processes using Google Chrome Task Manager

2. Stop Google Chrome Background Apps

3. Close Tabs That Are Unused

4. Remove Unwanted Extensions in Chrome Browser

5. Check For Malware Infections

Kill Chrome processes using Google Chrome Task manager:

Google Chrome browser has its own built-in Task manager which allows you to view each Chrome process running on your computer. You can use the Google Chrome Task manager to view and close any Chrome process on your computer.

In order to kill multiple processes, open Google Chrome and then follow the steps below to kill them using the inbuilt Task Manager:

  • Step 1: Click on the 3-dot Chrome browser settings icon located in the upper-right corner of the Chrome screen.
  • Step 2: From the drop-down menu click on More tools and then click on Task Manager option in the side menu that appears.
  • Step 3: This will open the Google Chrome Task Manager, click on any Chrome process that you want to shut down and then click on the End process button.

This will kill the selected Chrome process, preventing it from using resources on your computer.

Stop Google Chrome Background Apps:

Even if you close the Chrome browser, Google continues to run processes in the background. This happens when you install Chrome Plugins and Chrome Extension with a default tendency to continue running in the background.

However, you can prevent Google Chrome background apps by following the steps below.

  • Step 1: Click on the 3-dot Chrome browser settings icon located at the top right corner of your screen and then click on Settings in the drop-down menu.
  • Step 2: On the Settings screen, scroll down and click on the ’Advanced’ option to expand the Settings screen.
  • Step 3: Scroll down the expanded Settings screen, to look for the System option. Under this uncheck the option that says “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed”

So, guys if you too feel that Chrome is eating a lot of RAM of your PC, then just follow the above methods, and disable the unnecessary running processes.

Close Tabs That Are Unused:

While browsing the Internet, many times we tend to open multiple tabs and then forget to close them, thereby letting them consume unnecessary RAM. Hence it is beneficial if we keep a check on which tabs are left unused and close them to reduce Chrome memory usage.

Remove Unwanted Extensions in Chrome Browser:

It has been noticed that faulty browser extension also leads to unwanted consumption of RAM and may interfere with normal browsing. Hence, it is recommended that you look out for the faulty browser extensions and disable or remove them in order to limit Chrome memory usage.

Check For Malware Infections:

A PC when infected by malware infection results in its abnormal functioning. This may also hamper normal Chrome browsing as it malware infections can affect browser thereby increasing memory usage.

For this one should always keep an anti-malware installed and updated. If you do not have one, we recommend download Advanced System Protector from Systweak which is one of the best anti-malware/spyware programs and make chrome use less memory.

Click Here To Download Advanced System Protector

Next This Fixed Chrome CVE 2019-5786 Security Flow

The afore-mentioned methods let you prevent Google Chrome multiple processes running in the background.



— Update: 20-03-2023 — us.suanoncolosence.com found an additional article 9 Fixes For Google Chrome Multiple Processes Running Issue from the website www.softwaretesttips.com for the keyword stop multiple chrome processes from running.

Google Chrome is the most popular Internet Browser today There’s no gainsaying the fact that Chrome is one of the most used browsers and it accounts for more than half of the total internet traffic. It’s the first choice for many as it is fast, efficient, and has great features.

Google Chrome runs a separate process for each tab, extension, utility. This may sound like an upside of chrome but it isn’t. If you use chrome you must be well aware of that. We know how frustrating is when your PC hangs or gets slowed because of Google chrome multiple processes in task manager.

Learn how to reduce or stop multiple Chrome processes from running. If you have multiple Google Chrome processes running using task manager usually helps. Check out this article for more details.

What Makes Google Chrome Run Multiple Processes?

Google chrome is infamous for eating up a lot of RAM, and it’s not entirely unjustified, given the speed and features it provides in return. To break it down for you, let’s understand why multiple google chrome processes on task manager run usually.

Whenever you run the Google Chrome web browser, multiple computer processes start which account for each tab you open, all the chrome extensions you are using, and one for GPU processes. With one process for every tab, it makes your taskbar show multiple computer processes.

The Function Of Multiple Chrome Processes

This provides you with extra speed and fast opening of tabs on the chrome web browser at the cost of your RAM. If you have a high-end PC that can take up this load and run other computer processes you may need, google chrome web browser is your ideal choice, even then you can reconsider if you can lessen this load.

Is Chrome Running Multiple Processes A Bad Thing?

Chrome running multiple processes for every single thing may or may not be a bad thing. It depends on multiple things like your specs, your ram, and multitasking. Chrome running multiple processes in windows 10 can make your computer slower and prevent you from running other tasks.

For low-end PC and the average PC, this high processing of chrome web browser takes its toll, leaving you at a loss when running any other computer process simultaneously. If your problem is “when I open google chrome it opens multiple processes”, slowing your pc. Check out these fixes and ways of disabling multiple processes on google chrome and have a better browsing experience

How Do I Stop Chrome From Opening Multiple Processes?

So you’ve decided that you’ve had enough of google chrome slowing down your pc. here are the ways for google chrome multiple processes fix windows 10. The first approach to disabling multiple processes on google chrome is by detecting how many extra processes are running. Followed by how to stop them.

In this article, we’ve got you covered for how to disable google chrome multiple processes and how to fix multiple google chrome processes running by configuring your web browser, managing chrome extensions and tabs, and applying some tried and tested fixes.

How To Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running?

To cut to the main part here’s a list of all the methods for disabling multiple processes on google chrome. You can directly jump to the section if you know what might work for you. If you are willing to execute the fixes methodically, then let’s do some basic checks:

  • Make sure you’ve got an active and stable internet connection
  • Know your Device specs and if it meets basic requirements
  • Make sure your chrome is up-to-date

Stop Multiple Chrome Processes From Running In Windows 10

  1. How To Check Chrome’s Processes In Task Manager
  2. Stop Chrome Background Processes
  3. End Tasks Manually Via Chrome Task Manager
  4. Manage Chrome Tabs
  5. Remove Unwanted Extensions
  6. End Apps Running In The Background
  7. Change Google Chrome Setup
  8. Changing Configuration
  9. Reinstalling Google Chrome

Stop Chrome Background Processes

1. How To Check Chrome’s Processes In Task Manager

To stop the chrome process, you need to know what all processes are extra and are burdening the processing. To know the list of chrome’s processes in task manager, follow these steps:

  • 1. Press the Control + Shift + Esc keys
  • 2. The window’s taskbar window will appear with a list of all the processes running.
  • 3. Move your cursor below and click on more details.
  • 4. From the list of processes that’ll appear find and click on chrome.
  • 5. Further, a list of chrome processes will appear.
  • 6. Here you can check all the extra chrome processes running.

2. Stop Chrome Background Processes

When working with multiple chrome tabs and doing extensive searches, some processes may stay in the background. You can find these processes in the taskbar.

After you’ve found the process that you find are extra and are overloading the pc, it’s time for disabling multiple processes on google chrome. You can close the extra chrome processes, running in the background. To do so, follow these steps:

  • 1. From the taskbar, click on chrome
  • 2. A list of all chrome processes will appear
  • 3. Select the extra processes and right-click
  • 4. From the options, click on end task.
  • 5. You can also end processes by left-clicking and then clicking on ‘end task, below.
  • 6. You’ll find freed memory and lesser chrome processes after this.

3. End Tasks Manually Via Chrome Task Manager

Although Windows comes with a task manager to end and manage multiple chrome processes, it may be a little confusing when ending a task through the window’s task manager. In the window’s task manager you cannot differentiate between processes and may accidentally close the wrong tab.

You can even lose data if you end processes that are running an important tab. You can avoid this by manually ending tasks using chrome Task manager. The chrome web browser has an in-built task manager which allows you to end multiple chrome processes and selectivity. Follow these steps to use the end process using chrome task manager :

  • Open Browser and move your cursor, click on the three vertical dots in the right corner of the chrome window.
  • From the drop-down list move your cursor to more tools and then click on task manager.
  • A separate task manager for only the google chrome web browser will appear with multiple running tasks
  • Decide what task to terminate, click on it and then click on end process.

4. Manage Chrome Tab

Sometimes the reason why there are multiple google chrome processes running in the background, is multiple open tabs. Often when casually surfing the web we tend to open multiple Chrome tabs which get minimized or get into the background. These idle chrome tabs contribute to multiple chrome processes running.

By effectively managing your chrome tabs you can considerably reduce the number of chrome processes. To manage your chrome tabs, follow these steps:

Tabs In A Different Window

  • Press Alt + Tab to get a quick view of all the idle chrome tabs.
  • By holding the tab, and pressing it you can select the tabs and open them
  • Then close the window, and the tab will be close

Tabs In The Same Window

  • For closing tabs open in the same window
  • You can simply click on the small cross at the end of the tab shown at top of the Chrome window.

5. Remove Unwanted Extensions

Chrome extensions are something that makes the navigation experience on the web and running web apps easy. Chrome extensions are also the reason why the chrome browser is so popular. Popular extensions like adblocker, or Grammarly are widely used.

These extensions are one of the reasons why multiple chrome processes run in the operating system. These extensions take up GPU and RAM, and removing some of the chrome extensions can help free up space. Here are the steps to remove extensions from chrome:

  • 1. Open the Google Chrome Web Browser
  • 2. Navigate to the top-left of the screen and click on three vertical dots.
  • 3. Then go to settings
  • 4. In the setting tab, from the left pane click on ‘extensions’
  • 5. An extension tab will open with all extensions listed.
  • 6. To remove an extension, move your cursor over the extensions and click on ‘remove’
  • 7. A prompt will appear asking for confirmation to remove the extension
  • 8. Confirm it and the extensions will be removed.

6. End Apps Running In The Background

Ending apps running in the background through advanced settings can help free up some ram and boost speed. To end apps running in the background, follow these steps:

  • 1. Go to the start menu and click on settings
  • 2. Click on privacy and then on background apps
  • 3. In the new window navigate to “Choose which apps can run in the background”
  • 4. Turn off the switches before the apps which u do not usually use
  • 5. Free up space and increase operating system speed.

7. Change Google Chrome Setup

The way you set up your chrome after installation can also add to multiple google chrome processes on the taskbar. When you set up chrome, you decide the layout of your window and home tab, and additional features may add to multiple processes.

To change your google chrome setup you can either do a reinstall or follow these steps to reset Chrome settings to default:

  • 1. Open the browser and click on three vertical dots
  • 2. Go to the advanced setting through setting
  • 3. Click on “Reset and Clean up”
  • 4. Then click on “Reset settings to their original defaults” ann then reset the settings
  • 5. Restart Chrome to see changes

8. Changing Configuration

The default configuration of the chrome tab is to run multiple processes for each tab. Changing the configuration of chrome can disable and lessen the multiple chrome processes running in windows 10.

You can change the configuration of chrome by adding a command line to the Chome shortcut. To change the configuration, follow these steps:

  • 1. Go to the chrome shortcut and right-click
  • 2. Click on properties and go to the shortcut
  • 3. In the shortcut click once in the box in front of the ‘target’
  • 4. Add this “–process-per-site” command line in the target
  • 5. Click on “Apply” and then click on “save”
  • 6. After this configuration chrome will run the single process for all tabs
  • reinstalling chrome

9. Reinstalling Google Chrome

Reinstalling apps is open the go-to option for any software or app as reinstalling resets its setting. Google Chrome is required to be set up after installation and these set-up settings are usually permanent. So if google chrome multiple processes are running on your computer, follow these steps to reinstall chrome:

  • 1. Go to the official site of google chrome and download the installer.
  • 2. Run the installer from the download files and follow the instructions
  • 3. For setting up the chrome after installation
  • 4. Follow the instructions and avoid extra customizations
  • 5. Setting up chrome for performance will lessen google chrome processes

Source: https://www.online-tech-tips.com/google-softwaretips/why-does-chrome-have-so-many-processes/

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