Introduction
By default, Google enables hardware acceleration in its Google Chrome web browser. The benefit of using hardware acceleration is that it leverages your computer’s graphical processing unit, or GPU, to do a lot of the heavy lifting for graphics-heavy activities, such as playing video games, which gives you a better experience. And while this is mostly good, it can result in stability issues where Chrome will crash or freeze unexpectedly. If you’re having issues with Google Chrome a good first step is to try turning off hardware acceleration.
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Steps to Turn Off Hardware Acceleration in Google Chrome
- Launch the Google Chrome app on your computer.
- Click the ellipses icon at the top of the screen to open a menu, and then click “Settings” in this menu.
- Click to expand “Advanced” in the menu on the left side of the screen, and then click “System” in this expanded menu. System options are displayed on the right side of the screen.
- Click to toggle off “Use hardware acceleration when available.” You’ll see a Relaunch button show up next to the toggle, and you’ll need to click “Relaunch” to close and reboot Google Chrome. After Google Chrome reboots hardware acceleration will be turned off in the web browser going forward.
Reasons to Consider Turning Off Hardware Acceleration in Google Chrome
1. Compatibility Issues
If you experience problems with certain hardware or software, disabling hardware acceleration in Google Chrome can help resolve them. Some older hardware or software may not work properly with hardware acceleration enabled, causing issues such as crashes or freezes. To fix this, simply turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome’s settings.
2. Performance Issues
If you notice slow or choppy graphics while using Google Chrome, turning off hardware acceleration can help improve performance. This is because hardware acceleration puts a strain on your computer’s graphics card, which can cause performance issues. By disabling hardware acceleration, you can ensure a smooth and seamless browsing experience.
3. Resolution Problems
Hardware acceleration can sometimes cause resolution problems or display artifacts in Google Chrome. If you’re experiencing issues with display quality, such as blurry text or jagged lines, turning off hardware acceleration can help resolve these issues.
4. Crashes or Freezes
If you’re experiencing crashes or freezes while using Google Chrome, disabling hardware acceleration can help fix the problem. This is because hardware acceleration can cause compatibility issues with certain hardware or software, leading to instability.
5. Video Playback
Inconsistent or poor quality video playback can be a result of hardware acceleration. By disabling hardware acceleration, you can improve video playback quality in Google Chrome. You’ll enjoy smoother and more consistent video playback, free from issues like stuttering or skipping.
6. Web Page Rendering
Hardware acceleration can cause web page rendering or compatibility issues in Google Chrome. If you’re experiencing issues with web pages not rendering correctly, turning off hardware acceleration can help resolve the problem.
7. Graphics Card Drivers
Conflicts with graphics card drivers can cause issues with hardware acceleration in Google Chrome. If you’re experiencing problems with hardware acceleration, updating your graphics card drivers or disabling hardware acceleration can help resolve the issue.
8. High CPU Usage
During video playback or graphics-intensive tasks, hardware acceleration can cause high CPU usage in Google Chrome. This can lead to slow performance or crashes. To resolve this, turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome’s settings.
9. Touch or Gesture Controls
Hardware acceleration can cause problems with touch or gesture controls in Google Chrome. If you’re experiencing issues with touch or gesture controls not working properly, disabling hardware acceleration can help resolve the issue.
