10 Easy Solutions: Chrome Takes Forever To Load Error

Google Chrome has become the go-to platform for browsing the internet. Thus, we can only imagine your annoyance if it functions slowly. But, many times, the cause is not as big as you think it is. It’s possible that it only needs a simple update or enabling or disabling certain features.

So, if you are not quite sure how to fix this error, ahead are some quick ways that can help you to do so. Let’s jump directly into the probable reasons for the Chrome Takes Forever To Load issue and ways to solve them.   

Reasons For Chrome To Open, Load, Or Work Slow

There can be many reasons for Chrome to function slow. Some of the prominent reasons include:

• Extensions: The Chrome extensions consume a lot of space and resources. Using several extensions on your Chrome browser may slow it down.
• Default Folder: The default folder handles the user profile settings and extensions. Thus, this folder could be the reason for Chrome’s slow start-up.
• Enabled Hardware Acceleration: If you have enabled this feature, it might be the source of the issue. Acceleration of hardware consumes power and resources, slowing down the Chrome browser.

To fix this issue, there are several solutions available. Ahead are some solutions that work best in the above-said situation.

Solutions For Chrome Takes Forever To Load

1. Update Chrome Browsers
2. Switch Off The Extensions
3. Disable Hardware Acceleration
4. Check and Reset Network Adapter Settings
5. Change The Default Folder’s Name
6. Clear The Cache, Browsing Data, Cookies, and History
7. Launch Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
8. Ensure If You Are Logged In To Your Google Account
9. Use Chrome’s Cleanup Tool To Detect Malware
10. Uninstall And Reinstall Google Chrome

Fix Chrome Browser Slow To Load

1. Update Chrome Browser

The first and the most obvious thing to check for is to see whether you are using the latest version of Chrome or not. Reason being that the latest versions are the improved ones as compared to the previous ones.

Also, your solution may reside in the update only. So you might need not to look further as updating Chrome might fix the error. To update it, follow these instructions:

• Launch the Google Chrome Browser on your PC or laptop.
• Go to its Settings.
• Tap on the Help option and open the About Google Chrome section.
• You will get an update on all the current official builds by default. So, if Chrome finds any new versions that still need updating, it will update them.
• After the update is complete, Chrome will prompt you to relaunch the browser. Relaunch it for better functioning.
• Now once again, go to the About Google Chrome section. Ensure whether any update is still left or everything’s up-to-date.

Now test the performance of Google Chrome by searching something on its search bar. But, if your Chrome was already updated, follow the other solutions.

2. Switch Off The Extensions

As already said, extension consumes tons of resources and space that can slow down Chrome. Also, because of limited storage, the extension takes time to load. Due to this reason, Chrome also gets affected, and its performance slows down. But, you can fix this issue by disabling the extensions. To do that, follow the steps below:

• Launch the Chrome Browser on your system and open Settings
• Under Settings, you will find the Extension option. Click on it to open it.
• The extension page will open. You will find all the extensions listed on that page that you use. Take the pointer to the right of every listen extension and switch off the toggle button.
• Repeat the previous action on all the extensions till no extension remains active.
• After you have switched off all the extensions, close the Chrome browser and relaunch it.

If the functioning of your Chrome browser improves, then extensions are to blame. But, if it doesn’t, then move on to the following steps to fix the issue. There is a high possibility that a broken extension is causing the issue.

So, instead of disabling all the extensions, try browsing in incognito mode. Keep in mind that extensions are usually disabled in incognito mode. If the loading error does not occur in incognito mode, it’s clear that extensions are the issue.  

3. Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration, when enabled, carries out some operations that might cause the issue. Not to mention it prompts system hardware to work efficiently.

Thus, sometimes your system might not be compatible enough for this feature. As a result, it slows down Chrome. You can resolve this issue by disabling this feature. To disable it, follow the steps given below:

• Open the menu on your Chrome browser by tapping on the three dots that you will find on the upper right side.
• Go to the Settings.
• Go all the way down and tap on the Advanced option to go to the Advanced settings.
• Find the “Use hardware acceleration when available” option. Ensure to disable it by tapping on the turn-off switch.

After following all the instructions and disabling the feature, relaunch Chrome to check whether the problem continues or not. If it does, then move to other given solutions.

4. Check and Reset Network Adapter Settings

It’s possible that your network adapter is acting up and causing Chrome to work slowly. So, to fix it, you need to reset its settings. Also, for more robust connectivity, you can perform a DNS flush. To reset the network adapter’s settings and perform a DNS flush on your system, follow these steps:

• Press the Windows key along with the R key on your keyboard. This action will open the run dialogue box on your computer.
• Now type cmd in the empty field or press the Shift key, Ctrl key, and Enter key together. This action will open the command prompt.
• To reset the network adapter’s settings, type the following command on the field:
• netsh winsock reset
• Reboot your computer system after the process.
• To run DNS flush, follow these steps:
• open the command prompt again by repeating the above steps.
• Type “ipconfig/flushdns” and hit the enter key.

Now reboot the system again if you want. After you have powered your system back on, launch Chrome. Check if the above instructions have resolved the error or not.

5. Change The Default Folder’s Name

The default folder consists of all the settings and information of a user profile. The stored settings may be the cause of the error. By renaming the default folder, you will prompt Chrome to make a new default folder.

As a result, you can take the renamed folder as a backup for stored settings. Besides, the new folder will have fresh settings that might fix the issue. So, if you want to rename the default folder, follow these steps:

• Go to the Start Menu and take the mouse pointer to the search bar. Search for File Explorer and tap on the result displayed on the screen.
• Once you have opened the File Explorer go to its address bar and type the following:

%localappdata% \Google\chrome\user data

• Tap on the enter key after writing the above information.
• Try to find the Default folder and right-click on it once you find it.
• A small menu will open. Click on the Rename option.
• Change the name of the default folder to ’Default.old’. This will help you to recognize the old and the new folder.

After you have saved the new name of the folder, launch the Chrome browser. The problem should not continue as you have created new settings for the user profile.

6. Clear The Cache, Browsing Data, Cookies, and History

The browser’s cache saves up the interface of the most visited website by you. As a result, the website loads faster the next time you visit it. On the downside, it can also cause Chrome to take forever to load.

This is because of the overflow of the items saved in the cache. Thus, clearing Chrome’s cache might improve the performance. So, to clear the cache, follow these steps:

• Go to the Google Chrome Browser and launch it.
• Open the Settings in the Browser.
• Now tap on the Privacy and Security section and select the Clear browsing data option.
• Click on the Advanced settings.
• Make sure to change the time settings by tapping on the Time range option. A small drop-down menu bar will open. Choose the All-time option. 
• Ensure to check all the boxes except for the Password and Sign-in data. Doing so won’t reset the saved passwords and login credentials.
• Finally, to clear the cache to select the Clear Data option.

Relaunch the Chrome Browser. Check if the above instructions helped in resolving the error or not. 

7. Launch Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

Compatibility issues are the common ones. They usually occur when your system is not compatible with the program on your system. So, it is possible that your Chrome browser is going through some compatibility errors. As a result, Chrome takes forever to load.

For such instances, Windows has an inbuilt feature called Program Compatibility Troubleshooter. You can run it to ensure no compatibility issue with Chrome. Follow these steps to run the program:

• Open the Start menu and go to its search bar. Search troubleshoot and hit the enter key.
• Several options will display on the screen related to troubleshooting. Find the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter option and tap on it.
• Now select Run this troubleshooter.
• A list of programs will display on the screen. Take the cursor to Google Chrome and tap on it.
• You will encounter a series of instructions to complete the troubleshooting process. Follow the steps to complete it.

Relaunch chrome to check if it has fixed the issue or not.

8. Ensure If You Are Logged In To Your Google Account

The probability of you not being aware that you have logged out of your Google account is small, but it happens. Sometimes the problem is right under your nose, but you cannot see it.

So, ensure whether you are active with your Google account on your Chrome browser or not. If not, then follow the instructions given below to log in:

• Open the Google Chrome Browser on your system.
• Click on the top-right profile-like icon that you will find before the three dots.
• Select the Add a new account option or Add.
• Click on the Sing-in option.

Now follow the instructions and log in with your Google account credentials.

After you have logged in to your account, restart the Chrome browser.

9. Use Chrome’s Cleanup Tool To Detect Malware

Your system might be under attack by malware. It happens when you open corrupted files while browsing. If you recall anything like that, immediately run a cleanup on your Chrome browser. To use the cleanup tool, follow these steps:

• Open the Chrome browser and go to the Settings by clicking on the three dots at the top right corner.
• Open the Advanced settings and select the Reset and Clean option.
• Choose the Clean Up Computer option and tap on Find.
• A statement “Checking for harmful software” will appear on your screen. Wait till the process is finished.
• The system will prompt you to delete the software if it’s harmful. To delete the software, click on the Remove option.

Now again, launch the Chrome browser and see if the error persists.

10. Uninstall And Reinstall Google Chrome

If the above solution doesn’t work, the last resort is to uninstall and reinstall Chrome. The reinstalling would reset the settings and fix the broken files if there were any.

Thus, you get refreshed data libraries. So, to uninstall and then reinstall the Chrome Browser follow these instructions:

• Close the Chrome Browser and go to the Start menu.
• From the Settings, tap on the Apps option.
• You will find the Google Chrome browser under the section “Apps & Features.
• Right-click on Google Chrome and tap on uninstall.
• If you want to delete user profile information, check the Also delete your browsing data.
• Finally, tap on uninstall.

To reinstall Google Chrome, follow these steps:

• Open Internet Explorer or any other browser on your computer.
• Go to Google.com/chrome
• Download the file by clicking on Download Chrome. A dialogue box will appear, click on the Accept and Install option.
• Once you have downloaded the file, click on Chromesetup.exe.
• If any dialogue box appears, tap on Yes to continue.

Wait for the installation to complete. After the installation, Chrome will launch by default.

Conclusion – Google Chrome Is Slow Issues

So, if your Chrome takes forever to load now, you have a handful of solutions to fix the issue. But if you have tried out all the solutions, your system may be the root cause.

To ensure it, access Google Chrome on another device. If it works fine, it’s clear that your system was causing the problem.

Before taking it to the professionals, try rebooting your system. Relaunch Chrome. If the error persists, take your system to the service center. 

FAQs – Solve Chrome Browser Open Slow