Google Chrome is ubiquitous in the browser category across the globe. According to recent data, Google Chrome is the primary browser of over 2.6 billion people on the planet. However, most of its users cannot deny the fact that Google Chrome is a memory hogger. Many users frequently experience system slowdown due to multiple Chrome processes running in the background.
If you check the task manager, you will see that Google Chrome is running multiple Chrome processes and consuming a lot of system resources. It may not be a problem for users with a high-spec computer, but for low-end or mid-tier laptops and PCs, each extra chrome exe process makes a difference.
If you are fed up with the slow system performance due to Chrome’s excessive memory consumption, this post will provide working solutions for the question “Why does the task manager show multiple chrome Processes” problem.
Why does the task manager show multiple chrome Processes?
Google Chrome Browser does not create Multiple Chrome Processes to eat up your system resources. It adopts a unique approach to managing the multiple types of processes that run inside the browser. This multi-process architecture is responsible for the slow system performance and multiple chrome processes running concurrently.
However, it is an intentional decision to produce maximum responsiveness while using the chrome web browser. Also, think of it as a failsafe mechanism to save your tabs because, if one or more of them fail, your other tabs will remain unaffected.
Multiple Chrome Processes issue wreaks havoc on low-end systems. Each tab creates its process, which contributes to the overall increase of memory consumption. It is a result of the poor configuration of the resource-intensive nature of the Chrome browser, but you can fix it by tweaking the browser to your preferences.
6 Solutions for removing “Multiple Chrome Processes” Issue
By now, you must be aware of the reasons behind the multiple chrome processes in the background. If you wish to curb the excessive resource consumption by Google chrome tasks, you can try out the multiple solutions mentioned below. Here is a list of six solutions to solve the problem of the task manager showing multiple google chrome tasks.
- Use the Windows Task Manager
- Try the Chrome Task Manager
- Stop Chrome background processes
- Chrome Process-Per-Site Setting
- Reinstall Chrome
- Use the Windows Task Manager
You must be familiar with the Windows task manager. It displays, monitors, and manages the existing system processes on your PC. Windows Task Manager is now rebranded as “Task Manager” and is an accurate tool to check multiple system processes running in the background. To check the number of chrome processes running on your computer, repeat the following steps:
- Click on the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard, to open the start menu.
- Search for Task Manager in the search tab, and open the Task Manager App from the search results that pop up.
- The Task Manager opens in a concise window by default. Click on more details to expand the window.
- If the chrome browser is open, you will see a list of all the processes actively running in the background. Even if it is closed, you can still see a few processes because chrome is enabled in the background.
- To end a process, right-click on the google chrome process and then click on End Task.
Note: There is a caveat to ending multiple chrome processes using Windows Task Manager. The Windows Task Manager does not display the actual process name or the tab name.
So, you don’t know which process you are terminating currently. Therefore, it is advisable to not use this solution if you want to kill a specific process in chrome. It is useful if you want to completely terminate the chrome browser and start it fresh.
Try the Chrome Task Manager
Apart from using the Windows Task Manager to view active multiple chrome processes, you can try the Chrome Task Manager for the same. Unlike Windows Task Manager, the Task Manager for Chrome displays the name of the process as well. So, you know exactly what you are terminating and can avoid closing useful processes.
- Navigate to the Chrome window and click on the three dots in the top left corner.
- Scroll down to the More Tools option and then navigate to the Task Manager option.
- Locate the process that you want to terminate and click on it to select them.
- After selection, it will automatically select the sub-processes. Click on the End Process button, and you’ll notice that the closed tab displays an error message.
Stop Chrome background processes
To curb the annoying chrome multiple processes, you can also disable the Chrome background processes. The setting keeps a few background processes alive like extensions, chats, active downloads, etc. But if you notice system lag and multiple active processes, you can disable the Chrome background process setting.
- Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the top left corner.
- Navigate to the Settings option and click on it.
- Find the Advanced settings option from the right menu and click on System.
- Locate the “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed” setting and turn off the toggle.
- Now, Chrome will not run in the background after you close the window.
Manage your tabs and extensions
If you have a habit of blatantly creating new tabs and then forget to close them after they’ve served their purpose, you are unintentionally creating multiple chrome processes. The same goes for installing and enabling extensions that aren’t required all the time. To disable a non-useful extension, retrace the following steps:
- Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the top left corner.
- Find the More Tools option in the dropdown menu, and then click on the Extensions option.
- Scroll the list and find extensions that you don’t use frequently.
- Click on the toggle and disable it to stop creating multiple chrome processes.
- Alternatively, if you don’t need the extension anymore, click on the remove option. It will delete the extension from your browser.
Leverage Chrome Process-Per-Site Setting
The Chrome Process-Per-Site Setting is designed to create a new process for every tab, utility, and extension. You can stop chrome from creating a new process for each of these features by configuring Chrome with the Process-Per-Site Setting. Administrator privileges are necessary to make changes to the application, so log in with the admin account before implementing this solution.
- Go to the Chrome shortcut on the desktop and right-click on the icon.
- Click on the Properties option to reveal the Properties menu.
- By default, the Shortcut setting opens, but if you are inside any other setting, click on the Shortcut option.
- Find the Target field and enter the “–Process-Per-Site” command after the text. Make sure to leave a single space before adding the text command.
- Click on the Apply button to apply the Chrome Process-Per-Site Setting and then click on OK.
- Now, Chrome will create a single process for all tabs and extensions, and other utilities.
Reinstall Chrome
Reinstalling the Chrome browser is the last resort if you still experience stutters in the browsing experience, and notice multiple chrome processes. It will wipe out all your existing settings and create a fresh copy of the browser on your device. Make sure to select and add only necessary features in the new installation, and use the process-per-site settings to prevent multiple processes of chrome.
- Click on Start and open the Control Panel.
- Find the Uninstall a Program feature and click on it. Locate the Chrome app from the list and double-click on it to uninstall.
- Follow the screen prompts and make sure to check the “Also delete your browsing data” option for a complete wipe.
- Restart your computer and reinstall Chrome from the official Chrome website.
Conclusion
These were the 6 useful solutions to solve the chrome multiple process issues on your system. By using these solutions, you will be able to free up precious system resources and enjoy a lag-free experience both inside and outside the browser.