Limit memory usage per Tab without blocking things?
I recently upgraded from Firefox 32 to 64 bit and suddenly Firefox is using up the memory of my laptop. I think it's because some websites have too many running scripts. Is there a way to limit memory per tab without using blocking software? I avoid Adblock and NoScript because it blocks too many ads. Most websites are responsible with their ads so I don't want to deny them ad revenue.
Chosen solution
The adblocker ublock origin
May be useful it is easy to turn on and off on a per website basis.
In addition to the about:memory tool there is now a memory profiler tool built in to Firefox for studying the website use of memory per tab. It is probably more use in trying to debug website issues but may be worth you being aware it is available
- MDN: about:memory https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Mozilla/Performance/about%3Amemory
- MDN: memory profiler https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Tools/Memory
All Replies (6)
Firefox shouldn't be using that much memory.
Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.
- switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Appearance
- do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Safe Mode start window
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems
When multi-process windows in Firefox is enabled then Firefox will use more memory and may be less responsive. Try to disable multi-process windows in Firefox to see if that has effect.
You can disable multi-process windows in Firefox by setting these prefs to false on the about:config page.
- browser.tabs.remote.autostart = false
- browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2 = false
You can open the about:config page: via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I'll be careful" to continue.
Chosen Solution
The adblocker ublock origin
May be useful it is easy to turn on and off on a per website basis.
In addition to the about:memory tool there is now a memory profiler tool built in to Firefox for studying the website use of memory per tab. It is probably more use in trying to debug website issues but may be worth you being aware it is available
- MDN: about:memory https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Mozilla/Performance/about%3Amemory
- MDN: memory profiler https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Tools/Memory
cor-el said
Firefox shouldn't be using that much memory. Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.
- switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Appearance
- do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Safe Mode start window
When multi-process windows in Firefox is enabled then Firefox will use more memory and may be less responsive. Try to disable multi-process windows in Firefox to see if that has effect. You can disable multi-process windows in Firefox by setting these prefs to false on the about:config page.
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems
You can open the about:config page: via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I'll be careful" to continue.
- browser.tabs.remote.autostart = false
- browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2 = false
I disabled my add-ons so they won't take up memory. I will try disabling Multi Process and see if it helps.
John99 said
The adblocker ublock origin May be useful it is easy to turn on and off on a per website basis. In addition to the about:memory tool there is now a memory profiler tool built in to Firefox for studying the website use of memory per tab. It is probably more use in trying to debug website issues but may be worth you being aware it is available
- MDN: about:memory https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Mozilla/Performance/about%3Amemory
- MDN: memory profiler https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Tools/Memory
Sorry, the addon looks complicated. Is there a dummies manual how to use uBlock Origin?
This is what I want to do. For a select list of websites, I want to block most of the scripts, for example, www.dailymail.co.uk, but I only these sites. I don't mind if other websites use the same scripts. Other websites have ads too but they are tolerable but I find dailymail.co.uk went overboard in their ads, frames, media, javascripts, etc. Is it possible with uBlock Origin addon?
I found the guide of uBlock Origin. So I get the global to Green and the local settings for dailymail.co.uk to Gray. It helped reduce my memory usage. Thanks!
Having almost the same problem here. Gonna try that uBlock Origin as well.