YouTube Lagging on Chrome? 9 Fixes for Slow, Choppy Video

If YouTube is lagging on Chrome, slow to load, or keeps buffering, a few quick fixes usually sort it out. Clearing Chrome’s cache, turning off heavy extensions, and switching off graphics acceleration help most. Work through the list below in order, and stop when playback is smooth again.

Before you start

Applies to: Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebooks. Not version-specific. The last two fixes are about your network, not Chrome.

1. Clear Chrome’s cache

Old cached files can slow down video loading.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Cmd + Shift + Delete on a Mac).
2. Tick Cached images and files.
3. Leave Cookies and other site data unticked, so you stay signed in.
4. Click Delete data.

2. Update Chrome

1. Click the three-dot menu, then Help, then About Google Chrome.
2. Chrome checks for updates on its own.
3. Click Relaunch if an update installs.

More detail is in our guide on how to update Google Chrome.

3. Turn off unused extensions

Ad blockers and video tools can slow YouTube down.

1. Go to chrome://extensions.
2. Turn off anything you don’t use often.
3. Reload YouTube and check if it plays better.

4. Turn off graphics acceleration

This often fixes video that freezes, stutters, or tears.

1. Go to chrome://settings/system.
2. Turn off Use graphics acceleration when available.
3. Click Relaunch.

If it makes no difference, turn it back on. On many computers, it helps video play smoothly.

5. Turn off Energy Saver

To save battery, Chrome’s Energy Saver can lower video frame rates. That makes YouTube look choppy.

1. Go to chrome://settings/performance.
2. Turn off Energy Saver, or set it to turn on only when your battery is low.

6. Test YouTube in Incognito

This rules out extensions and saved site data in one step.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Cmd + Shift + N on a Mac).
2. Open youtube.com and play the same video.

If it plays smoothly there, go back to step 3 and find the extension that’s slowing it down.

7. Lower the video quality

If your internet is slow, a lower resolution stops the buffering.

1. Click the gear icon on the video.
2. Choose Quality.
3. Pick 480p or lower.

8. Close other tabs and downloads

Other tabs, downloads, and apps share your connection. Close the ones you don’t need to give YouTube more room.

9. Restart your router

Sometimes the problem is your internet, not Chrome. Turn your router off for 30 seconds, turn it back on, and try again.

Frequently asked questions

Why is YouTube lagging only in Chrome and not other browsers?

It’s usually something inside Chrome, such as an extension, Energy Saver, or graphics acceleration. Test in Incognito first, because that rules out extensions quickly.

Does turning off graphics acceleration make Chrome slower?

It can use more of your computer’s processor on some sites. However, it often stops video freezing. If it doesn’t help, turn it back on.

Should I lower the quality or fix Chrome first?

Try the Chrome fixes first. Lowering the quality is a quick workaround for slow internet, but an extension or a setting is the more common cause.

The short version

Clear the cache, turn off extensions, and switch off graphics acceleration and Energy Saver. If YouTube still lags, lower the quality and check your internet.

Related guides

• YouTube Error Code 152-13: What It Means and How to Fix It
• YouTube Error Code 151 on Embedded Videos
• YouTube App Frozen on a Chromebook? Here’s the Fix

Last verified: November 9, 2026