Question Why does Firefox run so many processes and max out my memory with only one page open ?

[a_nameless_man]

I've noticed my PC slows and locks up. When I check task manager, I see all this stuff under the Firefox tab and usually my memory is maxed out and at times so is my cpu. I've went through with various free and paid anti whatever software looking for virus and what have you, but nothing is ever found. Anyone know why this happens? I'm pretty computer illiterate and I've tried for nearly two decades to figure them out. Some things I just can not understand.

 

[boju]

Multiple processes is normal and is by design.

multiple firefox processes in windows 10 | Firefox Support Forum | Mozilla Support

support.mozilla.org

Are you running any plugins/extensions?

Troubleshooting steps, see if anything from here helps narrow down a culprit.

Firefox uses too much memory or CPU resources - How to fix | Firefox Help

Learn how to reduce Firefox's resource usage for a faster, more stable browsing experience.

support.mozilla.org

 

[stonecarver]

Internet browsers are hogs when it come to system memory. Chrome just in the last few months gives you a pop up if you have multi web pages open that lets you more or less keep pages open but puts them to sleep per say till you re click on them. By doing this you get to keep used memory that is just holding a page open in a tab.

It was an eye opener when I went a few years ago to fine fill this system up to the max with memory and lets see. Never going back it makes so much difference.

If you think of two system boosts you can do everyone picks the GPA and rightfully so. Your CPU should already be the back bone but memory, it plays a major part of day to day computing.

I have a few triple channel PC's. All with 48 Gb's

2 matching PC's with 128Gb's of memory

A few PC's with 32 Gb's

1 duel CPU PC with 192 Gb's

And I have one bastard child PC with 36GB's that I just have mix of used unloved memory sticks .

At first I thought for gaming the more memory the better but where it really shines is I can have so many things going on while having 30+- web pages opened.

A happy memory amount is 32 Gb's you can do a lot and not hit a 75% all used like your seeing with your firefox.

 

[Colif]

How much ram do you have? if 1.5gb is 20% then you have about 8gb?
Buying more ram could fix it.

As stated, its normal for Firefox to have multiple processes. MIne is running 27.

 

[a_nameless_man]

Multiple processes is normal and is by design.

multiple firefox processes in windows 10 | Firefox Support Forum | Mozilla Support

support.mozilla.org

Are you running any plugins/extensions?

Troubleshooting steps, see if anything from here helps narrow down a culprit.

Firefox uses too much memory or CPU resources - How to fix | Firefox Help

Learn how to reduce Firefox's resource usage for a faster, more stable browsing experience.

support.mozilla.org

Thanks and yes. I have extensions that are needed for Firefox to operate and run videos and and show PDFs in browser. The only one that I have added is AdBlock Ultimate. I will check out the info you've shared.

 

[a_nameless_man]

How much ram do you have? if 1.5gb is 20% then you have about 8gb?
Buying more ram could fix it.

As stated, its normal for Firefox to have multiple processes. MIne is running 27.

You are correct, I have 8gb in an Acer Aspire 3 A315. I think the memory is maxed out. This is an old laptop that I bought new around 2015. I have somethings coming up that will need a lot more and better computing power so I've held off buying new. I may go with a desktop and a similar laptop for portability.

 

[a_nameless_man]

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice and insight.

 

[Colif]

Acer Aspire 3 A315

looking, they have a number code after the A315, as they appear to have been using number for a while. Latest one came out this year, for example.

its likely the max is 16gb but I would like to confirm.

 

[hotaru.hino]

I've found that after using Firefox for some time, it "leaks" memory. Restarting it may help reclaim memory usage.

In addition, I would argue web browsers aren't really at fault here. It's because webpages have become complicated messes of JavaScript applications, rather than simple HTML + CSS pages.