Firefox High CPU Usage on Windows [Solution for Windows 10/11]

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How to Fix Mozilla Firefox in Windows 11 When It Takes Up Too Much CPU

Mozilla Firefox is one of the most popular browsers out there. However, it has been plagued with issues over the years, especially when it comes to memory consumption. While many people just accept it as part of the browser experience, others want to know how to make it better. In this article we’ll show you how to fix Mozilla Firefox using too much CPU in Windows 10/8/7.

The problem starts when Firefox opens multiple tabs. Each tab consumes some resources, including RAM. As the number of open tabs increases, the amount of RAM used by Firefox grows as well. This leads to slow performance, crashes, and even freezing.

There are three methods to solve this issue. You can use the built-in tools, tweak the settings manually, or use third party software. We’ll discuss each method in detail.

Method #1 – Built-In Tools

Firefox offers several tools that help you monitor and control the RAM usage of your browser. These include the Memory Usage Viewer, Task Manager, and Resource Monitor. Let’s take a look at each tool individually.

Memory Usage Viewer

This tool gives you a graphical representation of how much RAM is being used by Firefox. Click the button next to “System Resources.” Then select “Memory Usage,” shown here.

Why does Firefox use too much CPU?

When Firefox gets too busy, the browser uses more memory and CPU resources than necessary. This happens when you close every tab except one. Closing all tabs except one causes Firefox to slow down or crash.

The problem is caused by how Firefox handles tabs. Each tab opens a separate process. If you close all tabs except one, Firefox closes all processes except one. But there are no guarantees about what the next tab will do.

This is why closing all tabs except one makes the browser use more memory and CPU resources.



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How to Make Firefox Use Less CPU?

Firefox is one of the best browsers out there, but it does use up some resources. Here are some tips on how to reduce its CPU usage.

1. Disable Extensions

Most extensions add functionality to Firefox, such as ad blockers, password managers, etc., but they can slow down your computer. To disable extensions, go to about:config, type “extensions,” and change the value of “browser.tabs.loadInBackground” to false. This will prevent tabs from loading while Firefox is idle.

2. Turn Off Autofill

Autofill helps save usernames and passwords, but it can cause issues with performance. Go to about:preferences#privacy and turn off autocomplete. You’ll still be able to fill forms online, just without saving information automatically.

3. Use Private Browsing Mode

Private browsing mode allows you to browse the web without saving history, cookies, or temporary files. If you want to do research for school or work, try opening a new tab in private browsing mode.

Solution 1. Disable/Enable Hardware Acceleration

Enabling hardware acceleration in Firefox increases the CPU load. You might notice a slight performance decrease while browsing. This is because Firefox uses GPU acceleration to render webpages, and enabling hardware acceleration decreases the amount of work done per frame. In some cases, you may see a noticeable decrease in performance. To avoid this, try disabling hardware acceleration in Firefox and see if there are any issues.

If hardware acceleration is enabled, try disabling it. If the problem persists, reenable it. If the problem goes away, you’ve found the solution.

Solution 2. Enable Strict Tracking Protection

Mozilla introduced Strict Tracking Protection in Firefox 57, which blocks third-party cookies, JavaScript, and other web requests unless they are explicitly allowed. This feature works well because it allows you to decide what information you want to give away about yourself online, and what you don’t.

To enable Strict Tracking Protection, follow these instructions:

1. Open Firefox.

2. 3. Check the box next to “Third party cookies,” then click “OK.”

4. If you’re prompted to restart Firefox, do so now.

5. Close Firefox.

Solution 3. Troubleshoot Mode: Start Firefox

If you’re experiencing problems with Firefox, it could be because of one of many reasons. A common cause of issues is due to plugins and extensions installed on the browser. If you’ve been having trouble getting Firefox to start up properly, try starting in troubleshooting mode. This will disable all third party extensions, including addons and themes. Once you identify which ones are causing high CPU usage, remove them. You can find out what extensions are running by opening about:addons in the address bar.

Solution 4. Refresh Firefox

To refresh Firefox, open the Menu, and select “Help”.

: Note that if you want your bookmarks, etc. to remain intact, you should backup them before starting over.

This will reset everything to the default settings.

Make sure you know what you are doing before continuing.

Solution 5. Throw away the saved profile file (content-prefs.sqlite)

A corrupt contentprefs.SQLITe file could cause problems like slow performance or crashing. Deleting the contentprefssqlite file will reset all the browser settings back to default values. This includes things such as the home page, bookmarks, history, cookies, etc.



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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Firefox CPU hungry?

Firefox is known for being fast, but sometimes it takes longer than expected to load web pages. Why does Firefox eat so much memory?

Here’s a list explaining some reasons why Firefox may be eating up all your RAM:

1. JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language used to make websites interactive. When you visit a site like Facebook, Twitter, or Google, you’re interacting with a page that uses JavaScript.

2. Plugins

Plugins are small pieces of software that extend the functionality of browsers. For instance, plugins allow you to watch videos on YouTube, play games on Facebook, or listen to music on Spotify.

3. Cookies

Cookies are bits of information stored on your computer when you visit certain sites. They can store things like your username, password, and preferences.

4. Extensions

Extensions are small applications that run inside of the browser. These extensions can change the appearance of the browser, add features, and provide extra functions. Examples of popular extensions include AdBlock Plus, which blocks ads; LastPass, which stores passwords securely; and uMatrix, which allows users to control what kind of content gets loaded onto their computers.

5. Web Browsers

Web browsers are the programs that let you access the Internet. There are lots of different browsers out there, including Chrome, Safari, Edge, Opera, and Firefox. Each browser has its own strengths and weaknesses.

6. Addons

Addons are small apps that run within the browser. Many addons are created by third parties and aren’t part of Mozilla’s code base.

7. Browser Cache

Browser cache is a temporary storage area for files downloaded from the internet. Files saved to the browser cache are automatically deleted after a set amount of time.

Why is my CPU usage suddenly so high

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, and it’s the part of your computer that actually does all the heavy lifting. When your CPU is running slowly, it usually indicates that something is wrong with your system. Here are some common causes of slow CPUs:

1. Overheating

Your computer overheats when its temperature rises too quickly. To prevent overheating, make sure that your computer case is properly ventilated. Also, avoid placing your computer near heat sources like radiators, air conditioners, or hot water pipes.

2. Bad RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and it’s the memory inside your computer that stores information temporarily. As your computer runs, it constantly accesses random locations in RAM to store temporary files and other items. If your RAM is faulty, your computer won’t run efficiently.

3. Virus Infection

Viruses are malicious software that infect computers. They’re typically spread via email attachments or links on websites. Once installed, viruses can cause damage to your operating system and steal personal information.

4. Slow Disk Drive

Disk drives are mechanical devices that read and write data to and from your hard drive. If your disk drive is slow, it may mean that your hard drive needs replacing.

5. Dirty Dust Filter

Dust filters remove dust particles from the air before they reach your computer’s internal components. If your filter is dirty, it’ll clog up over time and reduce airflow.

6. Outdated Drivers

Drivers are small pieces of software that allow your computer hardware to communicate with your operating system. Updating drivers ensures that your computer uses the latest version of the software required to operate your device.

7. Poorly Maintained Hardware

Hardware problems can occur due to poor maintenance. For instance, if your motherboard fails, it may require replacement.

8. Unnecessary Programs Running