Why is my browser so slow?

If even a basic webpage like Google takes 20 seconds to load, you know you’ve got a browser problem. But what causes a slow browser? In this article, we’ll share some simple tips to both diagnose—and fix—a slow browser. With the right fixes—and the right browser—you’ll soon get back to a fast, smooth Internet.

Troubleshooting slow browsing: common causes and solutions

There can be a number of causes behind slow browsing. Some—like a bad Wi-Fi connection, a malfunctioning router, or issues with your Internet service provider (ISP)—aren’t related to the browser at all. But there can also be problems with your browser itself. Here are some of the most common causes of a slow browser:

Remove malware and viruses to speed up your browser

Malware and viruses can eat up your bandwidth, causing general slowness on the pages you visit in your browser. Malware can also redirect Web browser searches, display incessant pop-ups, or even crash your entire computer. In the worst cases, trying to run a simple search might result in a complete reboot.

To prevent malware and viruses from affecting your device, you should always keep your operating system (OS) and any other software up to date, and be cautious when visiting websites and downloading files from the Internet. If you suspect your device has been infected by malware or viruses, you might need to consider using a reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to detect and remove any threats

Reduce the amount of browser add-ons or extensions in use

Every extension you install on your browser adds more code for your browser to run. These add-ons take up valuable system resources, so if you install too many you’ll see a noticeable slow-down in browsing speed. Try removing extensions you don’t need.

Learn more about how browser extensions work.

Use an up-to-date Web browser

An up-to-date browser keeps you protected against the latest bugs and security threats. But browser updates can also improve browsing speed. Most browsers update automatically, but it’s always worth checking periodically to verify you’re running the latest version of your browser.

Note that if you’re using a completely outdated browser like Internet Explorer, no amount of patches or updates will help. You’ll need to upgrade to a newer, more modern browser.

Don’t keep too many open tabs

Too many open tabs can slow down your browser’s response time, use more computer memory, and generally lead to slower overall browsing. If you have dozens or hundreds of open tabs, consider closing some; frequently visited sites can be saved as bookmarks instead.

Upgrading to a faster Web browser

Not all browsers are created equal. Some browsers are simply faster than others, and a lot depends on how a browser is structured. The two biggest factors in determining a speedy browser are the JavaScript engine and the browser engine.

JavaScript engine

When you click a button or complete a form on a website, your browser is using a JavaScript engine for the task. There are a number of different Javascript engines out there, with each browser or family of browsers using a different engine. Those different engines are a key part of determining overall browser speed.

Brave, and most Chromium-based web browsers, use the V8 engine, while Firefox uses SpiderMonkey. There’s no single fastest Javascript engine; some engines work well at rendering particular actions or elements, while others are better at different ones. But if your browser is slow, switching to one with a different JavaScript engine may help.

Browser engine

Browser engines render HTML and CSS code, loading various elements of a webpage, and determining the order of that loading. Like the Javascript engine, each browser uses its own browser engine. Major browser engines—also known as layout or rendering engines—include Blink (for Chromium browsers like Brave), Gecko (Mozilla), and Webkit (Safari and iOS-compatible browsers).

As with the JavaScript engine, if your browser is slow, switching to one with a different browser engine may help speed up your browsing.

Brave: A fast, secure browser

You’ll often hear the word “streamlined” or “lightweight” when it comes to browsers. Today’s browsers try to balance keeping things simple, streamlined, and fast…with privacy and security.

Brave accomplishes all this. It blocks third-party ads, trackers, and a host of other bad stuff. And by not loading trackers and ads and other stuff you don’t want, the webpages you actually do want load much faster. And this blocking comes via Brave’s built-in Shields protection, meaning there’s no need for any extra extensions that could slow things down. The result? Brave is at least 3x faster than any other browser.

There are numerous reasons why your Web browser might be slow, but one sure way to make it faster: Ditch Big Tech, and use Brave instead. It only takes 60 seconds to switch.