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chrome audio stutters when many tabs open

Ask By Beatriz M.1,063 views

My audio stutters in chrome when I have lots of tabs open. Task manager shows high CPU

Brand
MSI
Model
Modern 14
Connection
Built-in Speakers
System
Windows 11
Browser
Chrome 131
Sample Rate
48 kHz
Output Channels
2 channels
Drivers And Sound SettingsWindows PC
Tool used in this discussionSound TestQuick left, right and stereo check for any speakers or headphones
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Short Answer

Stutter with many tabs means the browser is starved of CPU. Close heavy tabs, turn on hardware acceleration and update Chrome.

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Rishabh Sharma
Rishabh SharmaAudio Team
Audio DSP Engineer · 5+ years experience · Answered May 22, 2026

Audio needs steady timing. When Chrome is overloaded, the audio buffer may underrun and stutter.

After you make the change, play the Sound Test again to confirm the result. If the problem is still there, add your device, browser and what you tried in the replies so the team can narrow it down.

Step By Step Fix
  1. Close tabs you don't need
  2. Turn on Use hardware acceleration in Chrome settings
  3. Update Chrome and drivers
  4. Use Chrome's Memory Saver
Sources
  1. Google Chrome Help

Checked by Harvey Finch on . How we verify answers

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Community Replies 2

  • Finlay NorrisCommunity Member

    Memory Saver helped a lot. I checked it again with the Sound Test afterwards to be sure.

  • Savannah HamiltonCommunity Member

    Too many extensions cause this too. It took me a few minutes, and the Sound Test showed the difference straight away.

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Rishabh Sharma
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Rishabh Sharma

Audio DSP Engineer at Sound Test

Rishabh Sharma is the Audio DSP Engineer on the Sound Tester Audio Team. Expert in browser-based Web Audio API architecture, live tone generation, and low-latency decibel tracking. Shares detailed digital sound processing codebases on GitHub and LinkedIn. On Sound Tester he answers browser, driver and operating system sound problems on Windows, Mac and Android, and reviews how the tools handle audio in the browser.

Web Audio APIlow-latency audiodecibel tracking
  • 10 answers on Sound Test
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Each answer is written by the specialist closest to the topic and checked by a second team member. How we verify answers

Answers are free general guidance from the Sound Tester Audio Team and community. They are not medical advice. For hearing loss, ringing or ear pain, see a doctor or audiologist. Opening a device can void its warranty, so check the maker's support first for hardware faults.

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