Disable Automatic Tab Discarding Chrome

2 min read 29-12-2024

Chrome's automatic tab discarding feature, while designed to save memory and improve performance, can be frustrating if you frequently switch between many tabs. This feature closes inactive tabs to free up system resources, but it can lead to lost progress and reloading delays. Fortunately, disabling it is straightforward. Here's how to regain control of your open tabs.

Understanding Chrome's Tab Discarding

Before diving into the disabling process, it's helpful to understand why Chrome discards tabs. Essentially, when your system's memory is low, Chrome prioritizes active tabs, discarding inactive ones to prevent the browser from crashing or slowing down considerably. Discarded tabs are not completely closed; they're kept in a suspended state, allowing for quicker reloading. However, any unsaved progress on those tabs will be lost when discarded.

Disabling Automatic Tab Discarding

The process for disabling automatic tab discarding varies slightly depending on your Chrome version, but the core steps remain consistent.

Method 1: Using Chrome Flags

This is generally the most reliable method. Chrome flags allow access to experimental features, including disabling tab discarding.

Access Chrome Flags: In your Chrome address bar, type chrome://flags and press Enter.
Find Tab Discarding: Search for "Tab discarding" in the search bar at the top of the flags page.
Disable the Feature: You'll find multiple flags related to tab discarding. The most relevant ones are likely "Tab discarding" and "Automatic Tab Discarding." Change the setting for each flag from "Default" or "Enabled" to "Disabled."
Relaunch Chrome: A prompt will appear at the bottom of the flags page. Click the "Relaunch" button to apply the changes. This is crucial; changes won't take effect until Chrome restarts.

Method 2: Adjusting Memory Settings (Less Reliable)

While less directly related to tab discarding, managing your system's available memory can indirectly reduce the frequency with which Chrome discards tabs. This method is not a guaranteed solution for preventing tab discarding, as Chrome's algorithm may still discard tabs even with ample memory. Consider this approach only if you suspect low memory is contributing to the problem. Closing unnecessary background applications can help free up system resources.

Verifying Tab Discarding is Disabled

After restarting Chrome, open many tabs. Leave them inactive for an extended period. If tab discarding is successfully disabled, you should observe that these tabs remain open and accessible without reloading. If they are still being discarded, double-check the Chrome flags settings, ensuring that you've disabled all relevant flags and restarted Chrome.

Important Considerations

Disabling tab discarding can significantly increase Chrome's memory usage. This might lead to performance issues on systems with limited RAM. If you experience slowdowns or instability after disabling tab discarding, you might need to reconsider re-enabling the feature or upgrading your computer's memory. Weigh the benefits of consistently open tabs against the potential performance impact.