May 20, 2021

Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running

In the world of web browsers, Google Chrome stands leaps and bounds ahead of all its competitors. The Chromium-based browser is popular for its minimalistic approach and user-friendliness, facilitating almost half of all the web searches done in a day. In its effort to pursue excellence, Chrome often pulls out all the stops, yet every once in a while, the browser is known to cause errors. A common issue reported by many users was the multiple Google Chrome processes running. If you find yourself struggling with the same issue, read ahead.

Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running

Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running

Why are Multiple Processes running on Chrome?

The Google Chrome browser operates very differently from other conventional browsers. When opened, the browser creates a mini operating system, overseeing all the tabs and extensions associated with it. Therefore, when multiple tabs and extensions are run together through Chrome, the multiple processes issue arises. The issue can also be caused due to incorrect configuration in Chrome and extensive usage of the PC RAM. Here are a few procedures you can try to get rid of the issue.

Method 1: Manually End Processes Using Chrome Task Manager

Intending to achieve a more optimized operating system, Chrome created a Task Manager for its browser. Through this feature, you can control various tabs on your browsers and shut them down to fix multiple Google Chrome processes running error.

1. On your browser, click on the three dots in the top right corner of your screen.

Click on three dots on top right corner | Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running

2. From the list of options that appear, click on ‘More Tools’ and then select ‘Task Manager.’

Click on more tools then select task manager

3. All your running extensions and tabs will be displayed in this window. Select each one of them and click on ‘End Process.

In task manager, select all tasks and click on end process | Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running

4. All additional Chrome processes will be shut down and the issue will be resolved.

Also Read: How to Hack the Chrome Dinosaur Game

Method 2: Change Configuration to Prevent Multiple Processes from Running 

Changing the configuration of Chrome to run as a single process is a fix that has been widely debated. While on paper, this seems like the best way to move forward, it has provided low success rates. Nevertheless, the process is easy to carry out and is worth the try.

1. Right-click on the Chrome shortcut on your PC and click on Properties.

right click on chrome and select properties

2. In the Shortcut panel, go to the text box named ‘Target’ and add the following code in front of the address bar: –process-per-site

enter --process-per-site | Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running

3. Click on ‘Apply’ and then grant access as an administrator to complete the process.

4. Try running Chrome again and see if the issue is resolved.

Method 3: Disable Multiple Background Processes From Running

Chrome has a tendency to run in the background even after the application is closed. By turning off the browser’s ability to operate in the background you should be able to disable multiple Google Chrome processes on Windows 10 PC.

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three dots on the top right corner of the screen and from the options that appear, click on Settings.

2. In the Settings page of Google Chrome, scroll down and click on ‘Advanced Settings’ to expand the Settings menu.

click on advanced at the bottom of the settings page | Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running

3. Scroll down to the System settings and disable the option that reads “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed.”

Go to the system settings and disable the background processes options

4. Reopen Chrome and see if the issue is resolved.

Also Read: 10 Ways To Fix Slow Page Loading In Google Chrome

Method 4: Close Unused Tabs and Extensions

When too many tabs and extensions function at once in Chrome, it tends to take up a lot of RAM and results in errors such as the one at hand. You can close the tabs by clicking on the small cross next to them. Here’s how you can disable extensions in Chrome:

1. On Chrome, click on the three dots in the top right corner, then select More Tools and click on ‘Extensions.’

Click on the three dots, then click more tools and select extensions | Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running

2. On the extension page, click on the toggle switch to temporarily disable extensions that consume way too much RAM. You can click on the ‘Remove‘ button to completely remove the extension.

Locate your Adblock extension and disable it by clicking on the toggle switch next to it

Note: Contrary to the previous point, some extensions have the ability to disable tabs when not in use. Tab Suspender and One Tab are two extensions that will disable unused tabs and optimize your Google Chrome experience.

Method 5: Reinstall Chrome

If despite all the methods mentioned above, you are unable to solve the multiple Chrome processes running issue on your PC, then it is time to reinstall Chrome and start anew. The good thing about Chrome is that if you have signed in with your Google account, then all your data will be backed up, making the reinstallation process safe and foolproof.

1. Open the Control Panel on your PC and click on Uninstall a program.

Open control panel and click on uninstall a program | Fix Multiple Google Chrome Processes Running

2. From the list of applications, select Google Chrome and click on Uninstall.

3. Now through Microsoft Edge, navigate to Google Chrome’s installation page.

4. Click on ‘Download Chrome’ to download the app and run it again to see if the multiple processes error is resolved.

Click on Download Chrome

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How do I stop Chrome from opening multiple processes?

Even after it is properly shut down, many processes concerning Google Chrome still operate in the background. To disable this, open Chrome Settings, and expand the page by clicking on ‘Advanced.’ Scroll down and under the ‘System’ panel, disable background processes. All background activity will be suspended and only the current tab window will be operational.

Q2. How do I stop multiple processes in Task Manager?

To end the multiple Google Chrome processes that open up in the Task Manager, access the in-built Task Manager present in Chrome. Click on the three dots in the top right corner, go to more tools, and select Task Manager. This page will display all the tabs and extensions that are operating. Individually end all of them to solve the issue.

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Chrome is one of the most reliable browsers on the market and it can be really frustrating for users when it starts to malfunction. Nevertheless, with the steps mentioned above, you should be able to tackle the issue and resume seamless browsing.

We hope that this guide was helpful and you were able to fix multiple Google Chrome processes running error on your PC. Also read How to Fix Google Chrome Opens Automatically on Windows 10.. If you have any queries, jot them down in the comments section and we will help you out.