Opera Browser: Excessive CPU and Memory Consumption

Opera Browser: Excessive CPU and Memory Consumption

Opera, a popular web browser, has been reported to consume excessive CPU and memory resources on Windows 11 and 10 systems. This issue can significantly impact system performance and user experience. This article explores the potential causes and provides comprehensive solutions to address this problem.

Causes

The excessive CPU and memory usage by Opera can be attributed to various factors, including:

• Outdated browser version
• Problematic extensions
• Battery saver feature
• Incompatible flags
• Insufficient system resources

Solutions

1. Update Opera Browser

Ensure that you are running the latest version of Opera. Outdated versions may contain bugs or inefficiencies that can lead to excessive resource consumption.

2. Disable Extensions

Extensions can enhance browser functionality, but they can also introduce performance issues. Disable extensions one by one and restart Opera after each disablement to identify any problematic extensions.

3. Force Update Extensions

Opera allows users to force update extensions. This can be useful if automatic updates are not functioning correctly.

4. Turn Off Battery Saver Feature

Opera’s battery saver feature can cause high CPU and RAM usage. Disable this feature to improve performance.

5. Change Opera Flags

Opera flags are experimental features that can be enabled or disabled. Some flags may affect performance. Enable the following flags:

• Hardware-accelerated video decode
• Hardware-accelerated video encode
• Choose ANGLE graphics backend (set to OpenGL)

6. Uninstall and Reinstall Opera

If other solutions fail, uninstall Opera and reinstall it. This can resolve any underlying issues or corrupted files.

7. Switch to Opera GX or Another Browser

Opera GX, a gaming-oriented browser, includes features to limit CPU and RAM usage. Alternatively, consider switching to a different browser, such as Chrome or Firefox.

Additional Considerations

• Limit the number of open tabs.
• Close unnecessary applications while using Opera.
• Ensure sufficient system resources by upgrading hardware or closing resource-intensive programs.

Conclusion

Excessive CPU and memory usage by Opera can be resolved by implementing the solutions outlined in this article. By addressing outdated versions, problematic extensions, and incompatible settings, users can optimize Opera’s performance and improve their overall computing experience.

FAQ

;Why is Opera using excessive CPU and memory?

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Opera may consume excessive resources due to outdated versions, problematic extensions, battery saver feature, incompatible flags, or insufficient system resources.

;How can I identify problematic extensions?

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Disable extensions one by one and restart Opera after each disablement. If the issue persists after disabling an extension, that extension may be causing the problem.

;What are Opera flags and how can they affect performance?

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Opera flags are experimental features that can be enabled or disabled. Some flags may improve performance, while others may cause issues.

;Is it necessary to uninstall and reinstall Opera?

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Uninstalling and reinstalling Opera can resolve underlying issues or corrupted files. However, it is not always necessary and should be considered as a last resort.

;Are there any alternative solutions if the provided fixes do not work?

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If the provided solutions do not resolve the issue, consider switching to Opera GX, a gaming-oriented browser with CPU and RAM limiting features. Alternatively, you can try a different browser, such as Chrome or Firefox.