How to stop Google Chrome from running in the background?
Aug 04, 2025 am 01:48 AMDisable "Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed" in Settings > System. 2. Fully quit Chrome using Task Manager on Windows or Cmd Q on macOS. 3. Remove unnecessary extensions and restrict site permissions like Notifications and Background Sync. 4. Optionally, turn off hardware acceleration in Settings > System. 5. Use Chrome’s Task Manager (Shift Esc) to end unwanted background processes. Doing so ensures Chrome stops using system resources after closure.
Google Chrome often continues running in the background even after you close the browser, which can use up system resources like RAM and battery. Here’s how to stop it:

1. Disable Background Apps in Chrome Settings
The main reason Chrome runs in the background is due to background apps and extensions. You can turn this off:
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner → Settings.
- Go to System (on the left panel).
- Toggle off "Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed".
This setting is usually enabled by default. Disabling it tells Chrome to fully quit when you close the window.

2. Quit Chrome Completely (Not Just Close the Window)
On some systems, especially Windows and macOS, closing the Chrome window doesn’t always quit the app entirely.
- Windows: Make sure Chrome isn’t lingering in the system tray or task manager. Right-click the taskbar → Task Manager → look for Chrome processes and end them if needed.
- macOS: Use Cmd Q to quit Chrome completely after closing the window. Just closing the window with the red X isn’t enough.
You can also right-click the Chrome icon in the dock (macOS) and choose Quit.

3. Disable Unnecessary Extensions and Site Permissions
Some extensions or websites (like Google Meet, Gmail, or chat apps) can trigger background activity:
- Go to chrome://extensions/ and remove or disable extensions you don’t need.
- Visit chrome://settings/content to manage site permissions like Notifications, Background Sync, and Location — disable these for sites that don’t need them.
For example, if a site is allowed to send notifications, Chrome may stay active in the background to deliver them.
4. Turn Off Hardware Acceleration (Optional)
Hardware acceleration can sometimes cause Chrome to keep processes alive:
- Go to Settings → System → Use hardware acceleration when available.
- Toggle it off and restart Chrome.
This may reduce performance slightly but can help with background usage.
5. Use Task Manager to Monitor Background Processes
Chrome has its own task manager:
- Press Shift Esc while in Chrome.
- Look for any processes using CPU or memory unnecessarily.
- End tasks that are running in the background without your knowledge.
Basically, the key is disabling the “Continue running background apps” option and being mindful of extensions and permissions. Once those are set, Chrome should stop running in the background unless you're actively using it.
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