10 Best Fixes to YouTube Lagging on Chrome Issue

Seven months ago, a Reddit user named Lavidaloki shared his YouTube problem: "Usually my videos are very quick to load, but Youtube for the past day and a half has been exceptionally slow -- like DSL-era loading speeds. "

We’ve all experienced the frustration of trying to watch a YouTube video only to be met with lag and slow loading times. You're not alone if you've been struggling with YouTube lagging on Chrome! In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best fixes to help you resolve this issue and get back to enjoying your videos without interruptions.

Part 1. Why Is My YouTube Lagging on Chrome?

When YouTube starts to lag on Chrome, several potential causes should be considered. The primary causes of YouTube lagging on Chrome include:

• Poor internet connection
• Insufficient memory
• Corrupt or excessive browsing data
• Outdated audio and display drivers
• Outdated browser

Part 2. How to Stop YouTube Lagging on Chrome Issue?

Experiencing lag while watching YouTube on Chrome can be a trouble, right? Fortunately, here are some effective solutions to stop YouTube from lagging on Chrome.

Method 1: Check Your Internet Connection

First and foremost, you need to check your internet connection. If your internet is slow or unstable, Chrome will struggle to load web pages, which can cause YouTube to lag or stutter. A strong, reliable connection is crucial for smooth video streaming.

To check the strength of your internet connection, run a quick speed test. This will give you an idea of your current download and upload speeds, helping you determine if your internet is the cause of the lag.

Method 2: Use Repairit Video Repair [QUICK & FAST]

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Repairit Video Repair is one of the best video repair tools that supports more than 18 video formats of your YouTube video. The best thing is that Repairit Video Repair uses smart tech to identify and fix YouTube videos problems including lagging, stuerring, freezing, and more. You can download this tool on your Windows and Mac devices.

Here's a simple guide to easily fix your YouTube videos that keep lagging:

Step 1. Download Wondershare Repairit. Press the +Add button within the Video Repair section.

Step 2. Add your YouTube video files. Then, please click the Repair button to start the video repair process.

Step 3. Click the Preview button to view the repaired Netflix video file. If you think that the repaired file is good, click Save.

Method 3: Turn-off Your Extensions

If you’ve been using any extensions on Chrome to boost YouTube volume or enhance playback, they might be causing the lag. Try turning off all extensions temporarily to see if that fixes the issue.

To do this, follow these easy steps:

Step 1. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter.

Step 2. Then, turn off all the extensions. After doing this, check if YouTube still lags. If the lag is gone, one of the extensions is likely the cause. To find out which one, enable them individually and check YouTube’s performance each time.

Method 4: Reset Google Chrome

If YouTube is still lagging on Chrome, you might need to reset the browser to its default settings. This will remove all your extensions, settings, and cookies, so use this option only after trying the previous solutions.

Here’s how to reset Chrome:

Step 1. Open Google Chrome. In the address bar, type chrome://settings/reset and hit Enter. Click on the arrow next to "Restore settings to their original defaults."

Step 2. Click "Reset settings" to confirm.

Method 5: Clear Your Cache Data

Too much cache data can build up over time and slow down Chrome, impacting its overall performance. When the cache gets too large, it can cause various issues, including slower loading times and lagging. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1. Open Google Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + Del on your keyboard to open the Clear Browsing Data panel.

Step 2. In the drop-down menu under the Time range, choose "All time." Check the boxes for "Cached images and files," then click "Clear data."

Method 6: Turn-off Your VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) might also be causing YouTube to lag on Google Chrome. This is often the case if the VPN server you are connected to is unstable or experiencing issues. When the VPN server is not performing well, it can slow down your internet connection and affect video playback.

Here’s how to disable your VPN:

Step 1. Open your VPN app or extension and find the option to disconnect.

Step 2. Turn off the VPN and reload the YouTube page to see if the lagging stops.

Method 7: Turn-off Hardware Acceleration

When hardware acceleration is on, Chrome uses your GPU instead of your CPU for graphics power tasks. This can improve visual performance, but sometimes, it might cause lag or delays in YouTube videos. If you’re experiencing this, try turning off hardware acceleration. Here’s how:

Step 1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner to go to Settings.

Step 2. In the left pane, expand the Advanced menu and select System. Then, turn off the switch next to "Use hardware acceleration when available."

Method 8: Change Your YouTube Video Quality

Sometimes, your computer’s hardware might not be powerful enough to smoothly play high-definition videos on YouTube. This can cause lag during playback. To fix this, try lowering the video resolution. Here’s how:

Step 1. Open the YouTube video you want to watch in Chrome and click the Gear icon in the player.

Step 2. Select the “Quality” option to change the video resolution.

Step 3. Choose a lower resolution if the video is lagging. Replay the video to check if the problem has been resolved.

Method 9: Update System’s Graphics Drivers

Updating your graphics driver can help ensure that videos play without any lag. Graphics drivers are essential for your PC to properly handle video rendering and other graphics-related tasks. Keeping these drivers up-to-date can improve overall performance and fix playback issues.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to update your graphics driver:

Step 1. Open the Search on your PC, type "Device Manager," and press Enter.

Step 2. Click the arrow next to "Display adapters." Then, right-click your graphics driver and select "Update driver."

You have two options:

• Search automatically for drivers: Windows will find and install the right drivers for you.
• Browse my computer for drivers: If you have a driver file saved on your computer, choose this option.

Step 3. Select "Search for updated drivers on Windows Update."

Step 4. Click "Check for Updates." If there are updates available, click "Download & install all."

Method 10: Exit Unused Tabs in Google Chrome

Watching a YouTube video with many tabs open in Chrome can cause lag because it uses up much of your computer’s RAM. This can slow down your browser and affect video playback. To get a smoother video experience on YouTube, close all unnecessary tabs. Reducing the number of open tabs will free up RAM and help your videos play without lag.

Part 3. Tips to Avoid YouTube Keeps Lagging on Chrome

Dealing with lag while watching YouTube on Chrome can be a frustrating experience. Lag can disrupt your viewing and make it difficult to enjoy videos. So here are several proactive steps you can take to prevent YouTube lagging on Chrome:

1. Regularly Update Your Operating System. Ensure your operating system is current with the latest patches and updates. This can improve overall system performance and security.
2. Manage Background Applications. Limit the number of background applications running while you watch YouTube. This frees up system resources for better video playback.
3. Increase Virtual Memory. Increasing the virtual memory can help improve performance if your computer has low physical RAM. Adjust your virtual memory settings through your system’s control panel.
4. Regularly Defragment Your Hard Drive. Regularly defragmenting your hard drive for Windows users can help maintain system performance and speed up file access times.
5. Consider Using a Different Browser. Sometimes, using a different browser like Firefox or Edge for watching YouTube can provide a better experience.

Conclusion

Facing YouTube lagging on Chrome is frustrating, especially when you are in the middle of enjoying the thrill. But with the solutions and tips provided in this article, we hope you can greatly enhance your viewing experience without lag. Enjoy your videos!