What is Chrome Efficiency Mode and Why Is It On?

If your Chrome browser pages are loading slower, or your battery life isn't as long as it used to be, there's a high chance Chrome Efficiency Mode is functioning. But what exactly is Efficiency Mode, and why is it suddenly on?

Chrome Efficiency Mode is a feature designed to help you conserve system resources, primarily CPU and battery power. It's like a power-saving mode for your browser, aimed at making your browsing experience smoother and more efficient, especially on laptops and mobile devices. Think of it as Chrome trying to be more eco-friendly with your computer's energy.

Efficiency Mode limits the resources distributed to inactive tabs. When you have multiple tabs open, Chrome prioritizes the active tab (the one you're currently using) and reduces the processing power given to the other tabs that are running in the background. This can translate to improved battery life, reduced CPU usage, and smoother browsing.

However, while Efficiency Mode can be beneficial in many situations, it can also have some drawbacks, because it limits the resources given to inactive tabs. As a result, you might experience slight delays when switching back to an inactive tab, or interrupted background activity- for example, if you have web apps or extensions (like a music streaming service) running in the background of inactive tabs, it might experience occasional pauses. In a worst-case scenario, Google Chrome will freeze, which I have experienced while writing posts.

How to Permanently Disable Efficiency Mode While Using Google Chrome

If you have been experiencing problems with Google Chrome freezing in recent months like I have while I've been writing posts, it might be because of Efficiency Mode. Efficiency Mode is a new feature in Windows 11 that's supposed to help save battery life and improve performance, but it can actually cause problems for some apps, including Chrome.

Efficiency Mode works by reducing the priority of background processes. But it can also cause problems for apps that you're using a lot, like Chrome. When Chrome is in Efficiency Mode, it can freeze, especially if you have a lot of tabs open.

Last month, I reset my laptop to remove Efficiency Mode. The process took hours, was time-consuming, and the fix was not permanent, because Windows eventually updated itself and reinstalled Efficiency Mode. However, there is a fix that is permanent, and can be done in minutes, even if you're not very familiar with laptops or computers. To permanently disable Efficiency Mode for Chrome:

1) Close Chrome
2) Right-click on the Chrome shortcut that is on your desktop
3) In the Target field, after Chrome.exe” make a space and then add this:
--disable-features=UseEcoQoSForBackgroundProcess
4) Click on “Apply” and then click on, "OK"
When you are asked to give administrator permission, click on, “Continue”
5) Open Chrome using the shortcut

You will now be able to use this shortcut to use Chrome without being interrupted by Efficiency Mode.