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Is it normal for Firefox to use so much memory?

  • 16 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 104 views
  • Last reply by Lime Soda

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I downloaded Firefox not too long ago to combat the fact the Microsoft Edge wasn't working correctly, but ever since I downloaded Firefox it's been making my computer run really slow on the browser. Things are often slow like scrolling up on and down pages websites like Pinterest, and the text when typing on Google docs takes a moment to show up after I've typed it and not instantly, for example.

I checked my computer's task manager because I recently cleaned the laptop, thinking that something else was causing it to be slow, but it isn't. I don't have many processes open on the computer mainly mandatory things and my browser, since I use my laptop mainly for school work, music, or writing. Firefox opens multiple processes, the highest being 21 at one time, and takes up most of the memory on the laptop. Is this normal? Because it takes 1,094.0 MB and keeps my laptop's memory at 90-91%. If it isn't normal, how can I reduce this as well as the lag on my laptop when Firefox is open?

I attached a photo as well.

I downloaded Firefox not too long ago to combat the fact the Microsoft Edge wasn't working correctly, but ever since I downloaded Firefox it's been making my computer run really slow on the browser. Things are often slow like scrolling up on and down pages websites like Pinterest, and the text when typing on Google docs takes a moment to show up after I've typed it and not instantly, for example. I checked my computer's task manager because I recently cleaned the laptop, thinking that something else was causing it to be slow, but it isn't. I don't have many processes open on the computer mainly mandatory things and my browser, since I use my laptop mainly for school work, music, or writing. Firefox opens multiple processes, the highest being 21 at one time, and takes up most of the memory on the laptop. Is this normal? Because it takes 1,094.0 MB and keeps my laptop's memory at 90-91%. If it isn't normal, how can I reduce this as well as the lag on my laptop when Firefox is open? I attached a photo as well.
Attached screenshots

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Lime Soda said

Is this this reason why it's slow?

Yes. It's time for you to get your geek on and upgrade what you can on the laptop (ram and drive) or hit ebay for a better performing used laptop. Just running windows should take up most of your memory. In todays world 4gigs of ram will not work well with any browser. That's why I wanted see the full performance tab in task manager. Dying to know what processor and how old the laptop is.

What make and model are you running now?

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Hi

Do you have many tabs open or add-ons installed?

With Firefox, each separate tab is its own process, which might be why you are seeing so many processes running.

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Paul said

Hi Do you have many tabs open or add-ons installed? With Firefox, each separate tab is its own process, which might be why you are seeing so many processes running.

Hi! Normally I only have 2-3 tabs open, but I have four add-ons currently on the browser.

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Post a screenshot of the performance tab in task manager.

Firefox's Project Fission:

Introducing Firefox’s new Site Isolation Security Architecture https://hacks.mozilla.org/2021/05/introducing-firefox-new-site-isolation-security-architecture/

Firefox's Project Fission: better security and more processes https://www.ghacks.net/2019/02/07/firefoxs-project-fission-better-security-and-more-processes/

You can try Firefox's Site Isolation feature Fission in Nightly now https://www.ghacks.net/2020/09/20/you-can-try-firefoxs-site-isolation-feature-fission-in-nightly-now/

Change how many processes multi-process Firefox uses https://www.ghacks.net/2016/02/15/change-how-many-processes-multi-process-firefox-uses/

Modified by jonzn4SUSE

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jonzn4SUSE said

Post a screenshot of the performance tab in task manager. Firefox's Project Fission: Introducing Firefox’s new Site Isolation Security Architecture https://hacks.mozilla.org/2021/05/introducing-firefox-new-site-isolation-security-architecture/ Firefox's Project Fission: better security and more processes https://www.ghacks.net/2019/02/07/firefoxs-project-fission-better-security-and-more-processes/ You can try Firefox's Site Isolation feature Fission in Nightly now https://www.ghacks.net/2020/09/20/you-can-try-firefoxs-site-isolation-feature-fission-in-nightly-now/ Change how many processes multi-process Firefox uses https://www.ghacks.net/2016/02/15/change-how-many-processes-multi-process-firefox-uses/

Hi, so I looked at the screen shots you sent and mines is the same. I also sent the screen shot of it under the performance tab, hopefully it shows the right stuff.

Modified by Lime Soda

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jonzn4SUSE said

Post a screenshot of the performance tab in task manager. Firefox's Project Fission: Introducing Firefox’s new Site Isolation Security Architecture https://hacks.mozilla.org/2021/05/introducing-firefox-new-site-isolation-security-architecture/ Firefox's Project Fission: better security and more processes https://www.ghacks.net/2019/02/07/firefoxs-project-fission-better-security-and-more-processes/ You can try Firefox's Site Isolation feature Fission in Nightly now https://www.ghacks.net/2020/09/20/you-can-try-firefoxs-site-isolation-feature-fission-in-nightly-now/ Change how many processes multi-process Firefox uses https://www.ghacks.net/2016/02/15/change-how-many-processes-multi-process-firefox-uses/

So I looked at the stuff you sent in the screen shots, mines is the same. I also have the screen shot of the tab on performance, hopefully this is it.

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So you only have 4gigs of ram?

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Guess so, yeah. I don't know much about the technical part of computers, and I haven't adjusted or added anything to the laptop since I got it a few years back. Is this this reason why it's slow?

Modified by Lime Soda

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Lime Soda said

Is this this reason why it's slow?

Yes. It's time for you to get your geek on and upgrade what you can on the laptop (ram and drive) or hit ebay for a better performing used laptop. Just running windows should take up most of your memory. In todays world 4gigs of ram will not work well with any browser. That's why I wanted see the full performance tab in task manager. Dying to know what processor and how old the laptop is.

What make and model are you running now?

Modified by jonzn4SUSE

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Modified by jonzn4SUSE

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jonzn4SUSE said

Lime Soda said

Is this this reason why it's slow?

Yes. It's time for you to get your geek on and upgrade what you can on the laptop (ram and drive) or hit ebay for a better performing used laptop. Just running windows should take up most of your memory. In todays world 4gigs of ram will not work well with any browser. That's why I wanted see the full performance tab in task manager. Dying to know what processor and how old the laptop is.

What make and model are you running now?

Probably going to have to end up having it like this for awhile being a pretty broke high school student lol, but the laptop is about 3 or 2 years old, can't exactly remember but it's around those years. The laptop is a Samsung Galaxy Book Go, model is NP340XLA, and the processor is a Snapdragon (TM) 7c Gen 2 @ 2.55 GHz (2.55 GHz). Hope I'm giving the right stuff.

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Yes you are stuck. Good luck... Check out this. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=laptop+donations Jones out.

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Alrighty, thanks for giving me an answer. Have a nice rest of your day!

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I'm having the same problem and have tried the same clean up as you. The only solutions seem to be get bigger, better faster systems. These are NOT solutions. It's time Firefox became less resource intensive.

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Oh stop it silly... If you think Firefox is the issue then use another browser. Simple... Can't do to much with only 4gigs of ram. Did you watch any of the video linked above.

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Lime Soda said

Alrighty, thanks for giving me an answer. Have a nice rest of your day!

Hey Lime,

if you have any questions in the future, we'll leave the light on for ya!!! Also mark this as resolved.

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jonzn4SUSE said

Lime Soda said

Alrighty, thanks for giving me an answer. Have a nice rest of your day!

Hey Lime,

if you have any questions in the future, we'll leave the light on for ya!!! Also mark this as resolved.

Alright, hopefully I marked it right. Thanks again!

Modified by Lime Soda

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