7 Tips to Resolve Chrome Remote Desktop Lag and Enhance Performance

Utilizing Chrome Remote Desktop often leads to frustrating lag when connecting to a PC remotely. Many users have experienced this delay, particularly noting that performance drops significantly when their monitor is turned off.

The main reasons for lag experienced with Chrome Remote Desktop typically stem from various issues such as bugs in the current host version, low process priority, high display resolution, outdated graphics or network drivers, inadequate internet speed, or conflicts arising from Windows Defender Firewall settings.

Before diving into solutions, it’s advisable to restart your PC, check the monitor connections, disable unnecessary startup applications, switch to an Ethernet connection, and uninstall any unnecessary software.

What are the solutions to reduce lag in Chrome Remote Desktop?

The following fixes should be implemented on the Windows PC you are accessing remotely. If you’re connecting to a different operating system, similar adjustments should be made accordingly.

1. Adjust the Process Priority

1. Launch the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, and navigate to the Details tab.
2. Locate remoting_host.exe, right-click it, select Priority, then choose High.
   

   

3. Restart the computer, reconnect remotely, and see if this resolves the lag with Chrome Remote Desktop.

For 60% of users, setting the Chrome Remote Desktop process priority to High instead of the default Normal has resolved performance and latency problems swiftly!

2. Modify Display Time-out Settings

1. Open the Search feature by pressing Windows + S, type Control Panel, and select it from the results.
2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound.
   

   

3. Click on Change when the computer sleeps under Power Options.
4. Set both Turn off display and Put the computer to sleep options to Never for both battery and plugged-in states.
   

   

5. Finally, choose Save changes and check for any improvements.

Since lag is often experienced when the monitor is off or the laptop lid is closed, preventing the display from turning off can resolve this problem.

Some users have also found that switching from DisplayPort to HDMI improved performance; if that’s not feasible, consider using an HDMI Dummy Plug to simulate an active HDMI display connection.

3. Activate Important Flags in Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome, enter this path into the address bar, and press Enter: chrome://flags
2. Look for Accelerated 2D canvas and set its option to Disabled.
   

   

3. Click on Relaunch and check if the lag has been resolved.

4. Reduce the PC’s Display Resolution

1. Press Windows + I to access Settings, then select Display within the System tab.
2. Choose a lower resolution from the Display resolution dropdown list.
   

   

Lowering the display resolution can facilitate quicker data transfer between devices, significantly reducing lag during remote sessions.

5. Keep Your Drivers Updated

1. To access the Power User menu, press Windows + X, then select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Display adapters section, right-click your active graphics adapter, and click Update driver.
   

   

3. Select Search automatically for drivers to have Windows find and install the latest version available.
   

   

4. Don’t forget to update your network drivers as well, and restart your PC afterward to apply changes.

Outdated graphics or network drivers can cause lag in Chrome Remote Desktop, so it’s essential to routinely check for updates.

If Windows is unable to find a better version, visit the official website of the device manufacturer to locate and manually install the latest driver!

6. Add Chrome Remote Desktop to the Windows Firewall Whitelist

1. Open Search by pressing Windows + S, type Windows Defender Firewall, and select it.
2. From the left pane, choose Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
   

   

3. Click Change settings.
4. Next, hit Allow another app.
   

   

5. Click Browse.
6. Locate the following path (version may differ), select remoting_host.exe, and click Open.
   

   

7. Click Add.
8. Ensure both Private and Public checkboxes are selected next to Host Process, then click OK to save your modifications and check for any performance improvements.
   

   

If Windows Defender Firewall is hindering the operation of a program, it could result in noticeable performance issues. Thus, whitelisting Chrome Remote Desktop is imperative for smoothing out the experience.

If adding remoting_host.exe to the exceptions does not yield results, consider whitelisting other processes located in the same directory as well!

7. Turn Off IPv6 and Switch to Google’s DNS

1. Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and hit Enter.
2. Right-click on your active network adapter and select Properties.
   

   

3. Uncheck the box for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and click on Properties.
   

   

5. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses, and enter these details:
   • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
6. Check the box for Validate settings upon exit, and click OK to confirm.
   

   

7. Finally, restart your PC and see if there are any enhancements.

Disabling IPv6 while adopting Google’s DNS can help to enhance internet speeds, often a root cause of Chrome Remote Desktop lag. If Google’s DNS isn’t performing effectively for you, feel free to use the fastest DNS server in your vicinity.

Should you have any questions or wish to share additional solutions with our readers, please leave a comment below.