How to permanently disable ‘Efficiency mode’ for Chrome in Task Manager on Windows 11

If Google Chrome freezes because Windows 11 keeps enabling Efficiency Mode for its processes, you can permanently disable it by adding a command-line switch to the Chrome shortcut. Unlike temporarily disabling Efficiency Mode through Task Manager, this method prevents it from being automatically enabled again when you reopen Chrome.

Microsoft introduced Efficiency Mode in Windows 11 version 22H2 to reduce power and CPU consumption. Enabling Efficiency Mode for an app’s subprocesses can improve battery life, reduce fan noise, and limit thermal throttling.

Efficiency Mode is a Windows 11 feature and is not specific to any particular app. In Task Manager, processes using the feature appear with a green leaf icon, indicating that Windows is limiting the resources available to them.

When Efficiency Mode is applied to a process, Windows lowers the process priority and uses EcoQoS, a quality-of-service level designed to reduce clock speeds for less important background tasks.

Why Efficiency Mode may cause Chrome to freeze

Most web browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Firefox, may use Efficiency Mode for background processes.

While the feature can reduce power consumption and improve foreground responsiveness, it may sometimes cause apps to freeze or hang.

Google Chrome is one example of an app that may experience such issues. You can open Task Manager and manually disable Efficiency Mode for individual Chrome processes, but Windows may enable it again after you restart the browser.

Normally, you can enable or disable Efficiency Mode for an app by right-clicking its process in Task Manager and selecting or clearing the Efficiency mode option.

How to permanently disable Efficiency Mode for Google Chrome on Windows 11

1. Close Google Chrome if it is already open.
2. Right-click the Chrome shortcut on your desktop.
3. Select Properties.
4. In the Target field, add a space after chrome.exe", followed by this command:

   --disable-features=UseEcoQoSForBackgroundProcess

5. Click Apply, and then click OK.
6. If Windows asks for administrator permission, click Continue.
7. Launch Chrome using the modified shortcut.
8. Open chrome://version and check the Command Line section to confirm that the switch has been added.

If Chrome performs normally after the change, continue launching it through the modified shortcut.

Efficiency Mode is different from Chrome’s performance settings

Efficiency Mode is a Windows 11 feature and is separate from Chrome’s Battery Saver and Memory Saver modes. Disabling Windows Efficiency Mode does not automatically turn off either of Chrome’s built-in performance features.

Have you experienced Chrome freezing because of Efficiency Mode? Let us know in the comments below.

Final words: Disabling Efficiency Mode for Chrome processes through Task Manager is only temporary because Windows may automatically enable it again. Adding the command-line switch to the Chrome shortcut provides a more permanent workaround.

Frequently asked questions about Chrome Efficiency Mode

Why does Chrome keep returning to Efficiency Mode?

Chrome runs tabs, extensions, the GPU, and other browser components as separate processes. Windows or Chrome may apply EcoQoS to newly created background processes, so Efficiency Mode can return after you open another tab or restart the browser.

Can I permanently disable Chrome Efficiency Mode through Task Manager?

No. Turning off Efficiency Mode in Task Manager generally affects only the selected Chrome process while it is running. Chrome creates new processes as you browse, and Efficiency Mode may be applied to them again.

Is Windows Efficiency Mode the same as Chrome Memory Saver or Energy Saver?

No. Efficiency Mode is a Windows 11 process-management feature that uses EcoQoS and a lower process priority. Chrome’s Memory Saver deactivates unused tabs to free memory, while Energy Saver limits background activity and visual effects to reduce power consumption.

Will disabling Efficiency Mode make Chrome faster?

It may improve responsiveness if Efficiency Mode is causing Chrome to freeze, stutter, or load tabs slowly. However, it will not make Chrome faster on every PC and may increase CPU usage, heat, fan noise, and battery consumption.

What should I do if the command-line switch does not disable Efficiency Mode?

Make sure Chrome is completely closed, including any background processes, and launch it using the shortcut you modified. You can open chrome://version and check the Command Line entry to confirm that the switch was applied.

However, some Chrome and Windows versions may ignore the --disable-features=UseEcoQoSForBackgroundProcess switch. Windows currently does not provide a universal setting that permanently disables Efficiency Mode for every Chrome process, so you may need to use Task Manager as a temporary workaround.