How to Speed up Downloads in Chrome: A Step-By-Step Guide
Are you waiting forever for your downloads to finish? It can be really frustrating, especially if you're in a hurry, right?
It seems like every time you try to download something; it takes forever. And sometimes, even with a fast internet connection, downloads can still crawl along at a snail's pace.
We've got the solution for you to follow our step-by-step guide on how to speed up Chrome downloads and get your files in no time.
Read on to find out more:
What Causes Slow Downloads in Chrome?
Many things can slow down your download via Chrome, such as:
- Slow internet speed (Upgrade to EPB Fi-Speed Internet)
- Out-of-date Chrome browser
- Too many tabs open
- Other downloads or other devices using your bandwidth
Here are some smart ways to speed up your downloads in Chrome:
Update Chrome to the Latest Version
Keeping your web browser up to date is important for a number of reasons. Newer versions of browsers often include performance enhancements and bug fixes that can help improve your browsing experience.
In addition, updated browsers are typically more secure than older versions, which can help protect you from online threats.
Updating Chrome is easy — simply go to chrome://settings/help in your address bar and follow the instructions.
You can also visit Google's Chrome Help Center for more information on how to update Chrome. Taking a few minutes to update your browser can make a big difference in your online experience.
Close Unused Tabs
It's happened to all of us: We're working on a project, and suddenly our browser starts sluggish, taking forever to load pages or open new tabs.
And when we check, we see that we have dozens of tabs open, many of which we're no longer using. It's time to close some tabs!
Leaving too many tabs open can really slow down your browser and, as a result, your entire computer. So if you're not using a tab, close it! This will help your browser run more efficiently and help speed up your downloads.
In addition, it will help free up memory on your computer so you can use other applications more smoothly.
So next time your browser starts to drag, look at how many tabs you have open and close the unused ones. Your computer will thank you!
Restart the Download
If your download is taking a long time, try restarting it. Sometimes, stopping and restarting the download can help jumpstart the process and get things moving again.
To do this, simply click the X next to the progress bar in Chrome's downloads window (you'll find this in the upper right-hand corner of the browser).
Then, click the down arrow next to the file you were downloading and select "Restart."
This should resume the download from where it left off. If you're still having trouble, try closing and reopening the browser, or clearing your cache and cookies.
Upgrade to Faster Internet
If you're finding that your internet connection is too slow for your needs, it might be time to upgrade to a faster package. While a slower connection can be frustrating, there's only so much you can do to improve your speeds.
If you're able to upgrade to a faster internet package, you should see a significant improvement in your speeds. EPB offers the fastest fiber optic internet available and has packages like the Gig with speeds of 1,000 Mbps. Imagine playing games, downloading files, and streaming videos flawlessly. Sounds good, right?
Check out EPB’s fiber optic internet packages and find the right one for you.
Whether you need a faster connection for work or for play, an upgrade can make a big difference in your online experience. So if you're unhappy with your current speeds, don't hesitate to upgrade to a faster package.
Disconnect Your VPN Temporarily
If you're using a VPN, try disconnecting it and see if that speeds up your downloads. Chrome can sometimes have trouble connecting to VPNs, which can slow down your connection.
In addition, if you're using a public Wi-Fi network, disconnecting from the VPN will help to ensure that your data is safe from potential hackers.
However, if you're using a private Wi-Fi network, there's no need to disconnect from the VPN. Doing so will only slow down your connection.
If you still have trouble with slow downloads, try clearing your browsing data. This will remove any cookies or cached files that could be causing the problem.
In most cases, this should improve your download speed. However, if you're still experiencing difficulty, contact your ISP for help. They may be able to provide you with a more stable connection.
Speed Up Your Internet by Disconnecting Other Devices Connected to Your Wi-Fi
If you're finding that your internet connection is slower than usual, there are a few things you can do to try and speed things up. One simple step is to disconnect any unused devices that are connected to your Wi-Fi network.
If you're on a shared connection, other devices can hog bandwidth and slow down your downloads. By disconnecting any unnecessary devices, you can help improve your connection speed.
Another thing you can try is moving your router to a more central location in your home. This will help to ensure that everyone in your home has a good connection.
Finally, if you have a lot of devices connected to your network, you may want to invest in a mesh router system. This type of system uses multiple access points to provide a stronger, more consistent signal throughout your home.
By taking these steps, you can help ensure you have the fastest possible internet connection.
Update Your Proxy Settings
A proxy is a server that sits between your browser and the rest of the internet. If you have a proxy enabled in Chrome, it could be slowing down your downloads because it’s an additional step the download has to take. If you remove the proxy, you remove the additional step—and that can help speed up your downloads.
Here is how to update your proxy settings in Chrome:
- Click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of Chrome and select "Settings."
- In the left sidebar, click "Advanced" and select "Open Proxy Settings" under the Network section.
- In the Internet Properties window that appears, go to the Connections tab and click "LAN settings."
- Make sure that the "Use a proxy server for your LAN" box is unchecked. If it is checked, uncheck it and click "OK."
- Close the Internet Properties window.
Use Google DNS Servers
If you're not using Google's DNS servers, you should be! DNS servers are like the phonebook for the internet. They tell your computer where certain websites are located. Google’s DNS servers are one of the most updated and organized “phonebooks” for the internet and using it can help speed up your connection and improve your download speeds.
Here is how you can change your DNS servers to use Google’s DNS:
- Click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of Chrome and select "Settings."
- In the left sidebar, click "Advanced" and then select "Open Proxy Settings" under the Network section.
- In the Internet Properties window that appears, go to the Connections tab and click "LAN settings."
- Under Proxy server, next to Address, type in 8.8.8.8 for the first entry and 8.8.4.4 for the second entry. Then click "OK."
- Close the Internet Properties window. Now all of your internet traffic will be routed through Google's DNS servers!
This can help improve your connection speeds, especially if you're using a slower internet service provider. You should definitely give it a try today!
Clear Your DNS Cache
It's important to keep your DNS settings up-to-date so that you can enjoy the optimal performance when browsing the web. If you've made any changes to your DNS settings, you'll need to clear your DNS cache.
This is so that the new settings can take effect. To do this:
- Click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of Chrome and select "Settings."
- In the left sidebar, click "Advanced" and then select "Clear browsing data" under the Privacy and security section.
- In the popup window that appears, make sure that the "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" boxes are checked. Then, click the "Clear data" button.
And there you have it! By following these steps, you should see a significant increase in your download speeds in Chrome. So if you're noticing your web browsing isn't as speedy as it used to be, be sure to give this method a try.
Enable Chrome Flags
Chrome Flags is an experimental way to speed up your downloads. It is not recommended for those who are not comfortable with settings that could break things.
To enable Chrome Flags, type in chrome://flags/#enable-parallel-downloading into your address bar and hit Enter. You will be taken to the Parallel downloading section of Chrome Flags.
Click the box next to "Enable parallel downloading." This will enable the experimental way to speed up your downloads. Please be aware that this is experimental and could break things.
If you are not comfortable with this, it is recommended that you do not enable this feature. Thank you for your understanding.
Restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.
Now You Know How to Speed up Chrome Downloads
So there you have it, a step-by-step guide on how to speed up Chrome downloads. Give these tips a try and see how much faster your downloads can be.
From there, you can enjoy all the benefits of having your files quickly so you can get back to what matters most.
Remember: your internet is the primary factor that affects your download speed so be sure to upgrade your internet if you want faster downloads, zero-lag gaming, and flawless video streaming.
