Chrome Lags When Downloading Files? How to Fix It

Luckily, there are a few easy methods

Does your Google Chrome web browser start lagging when you download files? The issue isn’t with your files but with your browser or computer. One or more items in your browser or computer may not be working correctly, causing the browser to lag. We’ll show you a few fixes to get around this problem.

Many items can cause Chrome to lag. Some of those are an outdated browser version, hardware acceleration, a faulty browser extension, incorrectly specified browser settings, and more.

Close Unused Tabs in Chrome

The firstfix to apply when Chrome lagsis to close all the unused tabs in your browser. Too many tabs open at the same time can use quite a lot of your computer’s resources, leading Chrome to lag. You can always reopen your closed tabs in Chrome.

You can close a tab in Chrome by selectingXnext to the tab. Repeat this for each tab you don’t want to use.

Then, start your file download, and the download process should go through without issues.

Turn On Parallel Downloading in Chrome

By default, Chrome establishes a single network link to download your files. When you experience issues with your file downloads, it’s a good idea to turn on Chrome’s parallel downloading feature, which creates multi-links for your downloads,accelerates your downloads, and possibly fixes your download problems.

Update Your Chrome Browser

An outdated Chrome version can malfunction in many ways. Chrome being unresponsive while downloading files may result from an old browser version. In this case,update your browser to the latest versionto possibly fix your issue.

Disable Hardware Acceleration in Chrome

Chrome’shardware accelerationfeature offloads some of your browser tasks to your computer’s GPU, offloading the pressure from the CPU. When you run into issues with the browser, it’s a good idea to turn off this feature.

Clear Chrome’s Browsing Data

Chrome saves your browsing history, cookies, cache, and other site data when you visit your sites. It’s possible Chrome has accumulated a large number of these files, causing the browser to slow down.

In this case,clear your saved browsing data, and your issue will likely be fixed.

Fix Google Chrome’s Lag Issue by Turning off the Browser Extensions

You caninstall various extensions in Chrometo extend your browser’s functionality. Sometimes, you may end up with a broken or faulty extension, causing your browser to behave in unexpected ways. This can lead your browser to lag when you download files.

You can fix that byturning off your browser’s extensions. Then, re-activate one add-on at a time to find and remove the culprit item.

Reset Chrome to the Default Settings

If your Chrome lag issue persists, your browser settings may be incorrect. You or someone else may have specified a browser option the wrong way, causing the browser to stop being responsive.

In this case, you canbring your browser to the default settingsto fix your issue. You lose your settings, shortcuts, extensions, cookies, and site data when you reset Chrome. The browser retains your browsing history, bookmarks, and saved passwords.

Remove and Reinstall Chrome on Your Computer

If you’ve had no luck resolving your issue using the above methods, use the final method, which is touninstalland reinstall Chrome on your computer. This deletes all of Chrome’s files from your computer, fixing issues caused by those files.

Once you’ve removed Chrome, head toChrome’s official websiteto download and install a fresh copy of the browser on your computer.

Stop Chrome From Lagging When You Download Your Files

Chrome’s lag issuecan make the browser unusable orcause your downloads to fail. This issue happens for various reasons, as explained above. Luckily, you can resolve the problem using a few easy methods, as described above.

Once you’ve followed the aforementioned methods, Chrome will download your files without being unresponsive. Enjoy!

Mahesh has been obsessed with technology since he got his first gadget a decade or so ago. Over the last few years, he’s written a number of tech articles on various online publications including but not limited to MakeTechEasier and Android AppStorm.Read Mahesh’s Full Bio

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Chrome Lags When Downloading Files? How to Fix It#

Close Unused Tabs in Chrome#

Turn On Parallel Downloading in Chrome#

Update Your Chrome Browser#

Disable Hardware Acceleration in Chrome#

Clear Chrome’s Browsing Data#

Fix Google Chrome’s Lag Issue by Turning off the Browser Extensions#

Reset Chrome to the Default Settings#

Remove and Reinstall Chrome on Your Computer#

Stop Chrome From Lagging When You Download Your Files#

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