Student life
How to Make Your Chromebook Faster: 10 Fixes That Work
8 min read · Published October 8, 2026 · SolveCalcPro editorial team
- Most Chromebook slowness comes from too many open tabs and too little free storage.
- Press Search + Esc to open Chrome's Task Manager and end the tab using the most memory.
- Updating ChromeOS and removing unused extensions both help.
- On a school-managed Chromebook, some fixes need your IT team. Ask rather than try to bypass settings.
A Chromebook is supposed to be fast, but after a term of tabs, extensions and downloads, many slow to a crawl. The good news is that most fixes take a minute and cost nothing. Work through these ten in order.
1. Restart it properly
A Chromebook that has run for days builds up background work. Shut it down fully (not just close the lid), wait a few seconds and start it again. It is the oldest fix and still the most effective.
2. Close tabs you are not using
Every open tab uses memory. Ten tabs can be the difference between smooth and sluggish. Bookmark what you need, close the rest, and use Ctrl + Shift + A to search your tabs instead of keeping them all open.
3. Find the tab that is hogging memory
Press Search + Esc to open Chrome's Task Manager. Sort by memory, select the heaviest tab or extension, and choose End process. Pages with video, many ads or live games are usual offenders.
4. Install ChromeOS updates
Open Settings, then About ChromeOS, and choose Check for updates. Updates include speed and stability fixes. On a school device updates may be managed for you, in which case a restart can be all that is needed to finish one.
5. Remove extensions you do not use
Each extension runs in the background. Go to chrome://extensions and remove anything you do not recognise or no longer need. On a managed device you may be unable to remove some, and that is by design.
6. Free up storage
A nearly full drive slows everything. Open Settings, then Device, then Storage management to see what takes space. Delete old downloads from the Files app, and move big files to Google Drive.
7. Clear browsing data
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the clear-data panel. Clearing cached images and files can help a sluggish browser. You will be signed out of some sites, so leave passwords unticked if you are unsure.
8. Check performance settings
If your version of Chrome has Memory Saver (look under Settings, then Performance), turn it on so inactive tabs free their memory. Leave graphics acceleration on unless a technician tells you otherwise.
9. Pick lighter sites and games
Heavy web pages and 3D games are slow on modest hardware, whatever else you do. Choose lighter sites and 2D games. Our Chromebook games guide lists fifteen that run smoothly, and puzzle games are the lightest category of all.
10. Last resort: reset it
A Powerwash restores a Chromebook to factory settings and deletes local data. On a personal Chromebook, back up files first and use Settings, then Reset settings. On a school-managed Chromebook, do not do this yourself. Tell your IT team the device is slow and let them handle it.
Quick-reference table
| Symptom | Try first |
|---|---|
| Everything slow | Restart, then close tabs |
| One page slow | Task Manager (Search + Esc) |
| Slow since a new extension | Remove the extension |
| Almost full storage | Storage management, delete downloads |
| Slow on battery only | Plug in the charger |
| Slow for a long time | Update ChromeOS, then ask IT |
More shortcuts and settings are in Chromebook tips and tricks for students.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my school Chromebook so slow?
Usually too many open tabs, extensions, low storage or an old device. Restarting and closing tabs fixes most cases.
Does clearing the cache speed up a Chromebook?
It can help a sluggish browser, but closing tabs and freeing storage usually matter more.
Should I Powerwash my school Chromebook?
No. On a managed device, ask your IT team.
How many tabs are too many?
On a low-memory Chromebook, more than five or six active tabs can already cause slowdown.
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Written and reviewed by the SolveCalcPro editorial team. Found an error? Tell us. See our editorial policy.