Fix Google Meet High CPU Usage on Windows and Mac

Video meeting services require a lot of bandwidth to work properly. Additionally, they also use a lot of CPU and GPU power, which is valid for Google Meet. If other programs are running in the background, Google Meet may have difficulty accessing the necessary system resources and bandwidth.

As a matter of fact, Google Meet users often complain about high CPU usage issues both on Windows and Mac. Let’s take a closer look at this problem and explore how you can troubleshoot it.

Fix Google Meet High CPU Usage on Windows 10 and Mac

Check the System Requirements

If your device doesn’t meet the system requirements to run Google Meet, don’t be surprised if you’re experiencing high CPU usage problems.

Keep in mind that:

Google Meet supports the current version and the two previous major OS versions of macOS and Windows 10. So, if you’re running old versions of macOS or Windows 10, check for updates and upgrade your system as soon as possible.
Meet works best on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. If you’re using any other browser, switch to one of these four browsers and check if you notice any improvements. Ideally, use Meet on Chrome, even on Mac. Of course, check for updates to be sure you’re running the latest browser version.
Google Meet requires at least 4GB of RAM. For optimum performance, use a computer equipped with 8GB of RAM.

Quick Fixes

Close any open browser tabs—close unnecessary programs running in the background. If possible, make sure Google Meet is the only program running on your computer.
Disable your browser extensions, and we mean all of them, including Google Meet-specific extensions.
Check if your computer is affected by overheating issues. Place it on a well-ventilated flat surface away from any heat sources.
Change your video settings and use a lower resolution. Click on More, go to Settings, and select Video. Then, under Send and Receive resolution, select Standard definition (360p).
Additionally, enable Spotlight view and check if you notice any improvements. Click on the Menu, select Change layout, and then tick the Spotlight option.
Avoid putting other windows on top of your Google Meet window. Keep in mind that window layering puts a strain on your CPU and GPU. Use half screens instead.
Disable your camera when you’re not speaking. Do the same for your mic.

Disable Hardware Acceleration

Several users confirmed they solved this issue by disabling hardware acceleration.

If you’re using Chrome, navigate to Settings, go to Advanced and select System (left-hand pane).
Switch off the option that says “Use hardware acceleration when available.”
Restart your browser and relaunch Google Meet.

Install H264IFY

There’s a nifty browser extension called H264IFY that forces H264 streaming instead of VP9 on Macs. Install the extension on your Chrome browser and check the results. This solution is beneficial if you run Meet on an older device.

Conclusion

If Google Meet is using too much CPU power, host or join your online meetings using Chrome. Additionally, disable all your browser extensions, close unnecessary tabs and programs, enable Spotlight view and lower your resolution. Did you notice any improvements after using the solutions listed in this guide? Share your feedback in the comments below.