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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n1. Close Unneeded Applications\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Closing unused or unneeded applications will free up memory for other apps and system services to run smoothly.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use the Diagnostics app to check how much free memory your Chromebook has at any given time.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Press Ctrl<\/span> + Search<\/span> + Esc<\/span> to open the Diagnostics app. Select System<\/span> on the sidebar and check the \u201cMemory\u201d section for your Chromebook\u2019s real-time memory usage.\n<\/p>\n\n\n Close applications you aren\u2019t using if your Chromebook\u2019s available memory is running low.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right-click the app icon on your Chromebook\u2019s shelf and select Close<\/span>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n Follow the steps below to close applications using the ChromeOS Task Manager<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu icon<\/span> in the top-right corner, and select More Tool<\/span> > Task Manager<\/span>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n You can close multiple apps simultaneously in the Task Manager. Press and hold the Ctrl<\/span>, select the apps you want to close, and select the End process<\/span> button.\n<\/p>\n\n\n Note:<\/span> You can\u2019t close or terminate the Google Chrome browser via the Task Manager. Task Manager grays out the \u201cEnd process\u201d button when you select \u201cBrowser.\u201d\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Web browsers run every tab you open as individual sub-processes<\/a>. Each tab\/process uses your Chromebook\u2019s memory to stay running. The more browser tabs you open, the more RAM your browser uses, and the less memory available for other applications.\n<\/p>\n\n\n If you use a mid-range or budget Chromebook<\/a> with 8GB RAM or less, closing unneeded or open tabs will reduce your browser’s memory footprint and help your device run faster.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extensions can also hog your Chromebook\u2019s memory and cause it to run slowly. Use Chrome\u2019s Task Manager to check your browser extensions’ memory footprint and disable or remove extensions consuming excessive RAM.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should see an \u201cExtensions updated\u201d message in the bottom-left corner when Chrome updates all extensions. Disable\/uninstall the extension (see next step) if it continues to hog system resources or slow down your Chromebook.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chromebook Diagnostics app has a memory test tool that diagnoses hardware-related issues or damages to your device’s memory. Run a memory test if your Chromebook continues running slowly after a reboot or closing all apps.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Close all applications and follow the steps below to run the memory test.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, type chrome:\/\/diagnostics<\/span> in Google Chrome\u2019s address bar, and press Enter<\/span>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n You can also use the Ctrl<\/span> + Search<\/span> + Esc<\/span> keyboard shortcut to open the Chromebook Diagnostics app.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/span> The Diagnostics app is available on Chromebooks running ChromeOS v90 or newer. Update your Chromebook<\/a> if you don\u2019t find Diagnostics in the app library. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n The memory test takes about 15-20 minutes. Your Chromebook\u2019s memory is in good condition if the memory test tool displays a \u201cPassed. Test succeeded.\u201d result. Contact your Chromebook manufacturer for assistance if your device fails the memory test.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your Chromebook\u2019s performance and speed will deteriorate when low on storage space. Check your device\u2019s storage status and ensure at least 20% of hard drive space is available.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to Settings<\/span> > Device<\/span> > Storage management<\/span> to check your Chromebook\u2019s storage status.\n<\/p>\n\n\n You\u2019ll see files, browsing data, apps, extensions, and system data taking up your device\u2019s storage.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Select Browsing data<\/span> to review and clear Chrome\u2019s browsing history, cached images, cookies, and other site data.\n<\/p>\n\n\n ChromeOS will redirect you to the Files app when you select My files<\/span>. Move your files to an external storage device or Google Drive to free up internal\/local storage space.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should also consider uninstalling unneeded apps, reducing Linux disk size, and deleting offline files. Refer to our How to Free Up Space on Your Chromebook<\/a> tutorial for more storage management tips.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rebooting your Chromebook can fix memory leaks<\/a>, improve responsiveness, and resolve other issues causing it to slow down. Also, a system reboot is sometimes needed to install pending software updates.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Close all active applications or browser tabs before rebooting your Chromebook to avoid losing unsaved data.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, press and hold your Chromebook\u2019s Power<\/span> button for 3-5 seconds and select Shut Down<\/span> on the power menu.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wait 30 seconds for your Chromebook to shut down and press the Power<\/span> button to turn it back on. Update your Chromebook\u2019s operating system if it continues to run slowly.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Google rolls out new Chromebook features and bug fixes through ChromeOS updates. Chromebook automatically downloads software updates when connected to Wi-Fi, but you can also check for updates manually<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to Settings<\/span> > About ChromeOS<\/span> and select Check for updates<\/span> or Restart<\/span> to install a pending update.\n<\/p>\n\n\n Does your Chromebook freeze when using a specific app? That\u2019s likely because the app is buggy, outdated, or incompatible with your Chromebook. Update the app from its settings menu or Google Play Store and check if that resolves the issue. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you sideloaded the app<\/a>, download and install the latest version from the developer\u2019s website. Uninstall and reinstall the app if it continues to slow down your Chromebook.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reset your Chromebook\u2019s hardware if none of the troubleshooting steps above improves its performance. The hardware reset operation might delete some files in the \u201cDownloads\u201d folder. Move or back up important files to other folders or Google Drive.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turn off your Chromebook and wait 30 seconds. Press and hold the Refresh<\/span> button and tap the Power<\/span> button once. Release the Refresh<\/span> button when your Chromebook starts up.\n<\/p>\n\n\n You can also perform a hard reset by pressing and holding the Back<\/span> + Refresh<\/span> + Power<\/span> buttons for 10-15 seconds.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you use a Chromebook tablet, press its Volume Up<\/span> + Power<\/span> buttons for 10-15 seconds.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some Chromebook models have a dedicated hardware reset button. Insert a paperclip or SIM card ejector in the hole on the base of the Chromebook to access the button.\n<\/p>\n\n\n Hold the paperclip in place, connect the Chromebook to a power source, and press the Power<\/span> button.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Resetting your Chromebook to factory settings will erase everything on your Chromebook\u2014apps, profiles, downloads, screenshots, browser extensions, etc. Back up your Chromebook before power-washing it to avoid losing important files or data.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact an administrator to factory reset a school or work Chromebook. See our How To Powerwash (Factory Reset) Chromebooks<\/a> tutorial for step-by-step instructions.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nClose Applications from the Shelf\n<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nClose Applications via Task Manager\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n2. Close Unneeded Browser Tabs\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n3. Update, Disable, or Uninstall Browser Extensions\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n4. Check for Memory Issues\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n5. Free Up Storage Space\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n6. Restart Your Chromebook\n<\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n7. Update Your Chromebook\n<\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n8. Update Your Apps\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Hard Reset Your Chromebook\n<\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n10. Factory Reset (Powerwash) Your Chromebook\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n