This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Why does Firefox use up so much memory?

  • 1 tontu
  • 1 am na jafe-jafe bii
  • 10 views
  • i mujjee tontu mooy Shadow110

more options

I'm trying to figure out why Firefox is using up as much memory as it does at any given time. I've tried turning off the multi-process option that's listed as the solution in other questions regarding this, but all it seems to do is use the exact same amount of memory in one process that the multiple processes used combined together. The numbers that each process uses seems high to begin with. For example, I would have only one tab open, which was playing a video on YouTube at 480p, and the total memory being used by Firefox was approximately 1.9 GB. Is that normal?

I'm trying to figure out why Firefox is using up as much memory as it does at any given time. I've tried turning off the multi-process option that's listed as the solution in other questions regarding this, but all it seems to do is use the exact same amount of memory in one process that the multiple processes used combined together. The numbers that each process uses seems high to begin with. For example, I would have only one tab open, which was playing a video on YouTube at 480p, and the total memory being used by Firefox was approximately 1.9 GB. Is that normal?

All Replies (1)

more options

Hi, yes it can be, depends on the computer system itself. I have 3 that use diff amounts of ram on each. Your add-ons/Extensions use aprox 20megs give or take each. Audio/Video run in a Sandbox so that will take more ram also.

Please : go to the Firefox 3 Bar Menu --> Options --> Privacy & Security panel and under Permissions check (put a tick in the box) the setting to Prevent Accessibility Services from accessing your browser.

Go to the 3 Bar Menu then Options --> General --> Performance and untick everything. change the recommended size lower then see how it runs. Note: 1 = No Multiprocessor = slow again. Try 2 Restart Firefox after making these changes please. Note : Hardware Acceleration is for Video Card, Monitor to see if remain off or to turn back on.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.