My browser is super slow – how do I fix it?

Kurt Knutsson and Jenna RoachMarch 6, 2023106.5K views

You’ve probably had it happen to you before – you’re trying to watch your favorite streaming show, and it won’t load, or you’re scrolling through Facebook, and none of your friends’ posts are coming up.

This is likely because your browser is too slow, and there are multiple reasons why this could be happening. The good news is there are ways for you to fix the issue.

Why is my browser so slow?

There are many reasons why your browser is running extra slow, and it could be any of the following:

Malware: your computer could potentially have a virus that you’re unaware of. You can click here to find out what to do if your computer has been hacked.
Cookies and cache: you may have to clear out your cookies and cache to speed your browser up
Too many open tabs: having multiple tabs open automatically slows your connection down. Try closing some out to see if it helps your browser speed
Pending updates: you may have to go to Settings on your computer and see if there’s a new update for it. Click here to find out which extensions you should delete first
Too many extensions: many people use browser extensions, and they could be the culprit of a slow browser
Internet issues: if you have a poor WiFi connection, your browser’s internet speed will slow down immediately

You may want to check if you’re having internet issues before you go messing around with your browser settings to fix your slow connection. Here are a few ways for you to check your connection:

Run an internet speed test – use a website such as speedtest.net or fast.com. These sites allow you to test your internet speed by measuring the time it takes to download and upload data from their servers.
Power cycle your modem and router – unplug your modem and router. Wait at least 30 seconds before plugging back in to power. Allow time for both to restart and check your internet connection speed again.
Move your router to a better location or move your device closer to your router – make sure the router is in a central and open area. If you move your modem closer to the router, make sure it is within range. Related: When one WiFi router isn’t enough: Top mesh networking winners
Contact your internet provider to see if it’s an issue on their end – they will be able to diagnose and troubleshoot any problems with your internet connection and help you determine if the problem is with your equipment or with the service they are providing. Additionally, they can check for any outages or maintenance that may be affecting your connection.

If you’ve tried these options and none of them seem to work, then it may be time to look into your browser settings to identify the problem. Here are a few different ways to speed up your browser, whether you use Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari.

How to speed up Google Chrome browser

There are multiple ways for you to speed up your Chrome browser. Try these options and see how they work for you.

Update your Google Chrome browser

Open Google Chrome
On the main page, click on the 3 vertical dots at the top right of your screen
In the menu given, select Help at the bottom
Click About Google Chrome
The next page will let you know if there is an update available for your browser. Click Install if there’s one available to you

Remove extensions from your Google Chrome browser

Open Google Chrome
On the main page, click on the 3 vertical dots at the top right of your screen
Select More Tools
Click Extensions
Remove any browser extensions your don’t need by clicking Remove

Clear cookies and cache in Google Chrome

Open Google Chrome
On the main page, click on the 3 vertical dots at the top right of your screen
Select More Tools
Click Clear browsing data
Make sure the Time Range menu at the top is set to All time
Check off Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files
Click Clear data

Reset your Chrome browser

Open Google Chrome
On the main page, click on the 3 vertical dots at the top right of your screen
Click Settings
Click the Reset Settings button on the dropdown menu to the left of your screen
Select Restore settings to their original defaults
Select Reset Settings in the popup box to confirm

How to speed up Firefox browser

There are multiple ways for your to speed up your Firefox browser. Try these options and see how they work for you.

Update your Firefox browser

Open your Firefox browser
Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right of your screen
Click Help in the dropdown menu
Select About Firefox
The next page will let you know if there is an update available for your browser. Click Install if there’s one available to you

Remove extensions from your Firefox browser

Open your Firefox browser
Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right of your screen
Click Add-ons and themes
Select Extensions
Click the 3 vertical dots icon next to the Privacy Badger and select Remove

Clear cookies and cache in Firefox

Open your Firefox browser
Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right of your screen
Select Settings
Click on Privacy & Security
Go to Cookies and Site Data and select Clear Data
Check off Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content, then click Clear to confirm

Reset your Firefox browser

Open your Firefox browser
Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right of your screen
Select Help
Click More troubleshooting information
Click Refresh Firefox, then Refresh Firefox again to confirm
Click Finish when done

How to speed up Microsoft Edge browser

There are multiple ways for your to speed up your Microsoft Edge browser. Try these options and see how they work for you.

Update your Microsoft Edge browser

Open your Microsoft Edge browser
Click the 3 horizontal dots in the top right of your screen
Select Settings
Click About Microsoft Edge at the bottom of the menu on the left. If an update is available, your browser will automatically update
Press Restart when finished

Remove extensions from your Microsoft Edge browser

Open your Microsoft Edge browser
Click the 3 horizontal dots in the top right of your screen
Click Extensions
Individually remove extensions you are not using by clicking the corresponding Remove button

Clear cookies and cache in Microsoft Edge

Open your Microsoft Edge browser
Click the 3 horizontal dots in the top right of your screen
Select Settings
Click Privacy, Search, and Services on the left menu
Under Clear browsing data, click the Choose What to Clear button
Make sure the time frame menu says All time and check off Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files
Select Clear Now to confirm

Reset your Microsoft Edge browser

Open your Microsoft Edge browser
Click the 3 horizontal dots in the top right of your screen
Select Settings
Click Reset Settings
Click Reset settings to their default values
Select Reset to confirm

How to speed up Safari browser

There are multiple ways for your to speed up your Safari browser.

Update your Safari browser

Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen
Select System Settings
Click General in the menu on the left
Select Software Update
The next page will let you know if there is an update available for your browser. Click Update Now if there’s one available to you

Remove extensions from your Safari browser

Open your Safari browser
Click Safari in the top left of your screen next to the Apple icon
Click Settings
Select Extensions in the popup menu
Untick the box on specific extensions to turn them off, or click on them and click the Uninstall button to remove them

Clear cookies and cache in Safari

Open your Safari browser
Click Safari in the top left of your screen next to the Apple icon
Click Settings
Select Privacy
Click Manage Website Data and choose what to remove, or press Remove All to remove everything
Press Done when finished

Reset your Safari browser

Safari can only be reset manually by clearing your browsing history, clearing your cookies and cache, and removing extensions. Follow the directions above to clear cookies and cache and to remove extensions. To clear your Safari browsing history:

Open your Safari browser
Click Safari in the top left of your screen next to the Apple icon
Select Clear History
Select All History in the dropdown menu and press Clear History to confirm

Was this helpful? Let us know how your browser speed is working after following these steps.