How do I turn off network throttling in Chrome?

Taking Control: Customizing Network Throttling in Chrome DevTools

Chrome’s DevTools offer a powerful feature for simulating different network conditions, known as network throttling. While this is invaluable for developers testing website performance under varying bandwidth constraints, it can sometimes be unintentionally activated, leading to frustratingly slow browsing. This article explains how to identify and disable network throttling in Chrome, or alternatively, how to fine-tune it for specific testing needs.

Unlike a simple on/off switch, Chrome’s network throttling is managed through a sophisticated profile system within the DevTools. Therefore, “turning it off” involves either deleting existing custom profiles or reverting to the default “No throttling” setting.

Step 1: Accessing Chrome DevTools

First, you need access to Chrome’s Developer Tools. This is usually done by right-clicking anywhere on a webpage and selecting “Inspect” or “Inspect Element,” or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+I (or Cmd+Option+I on a Mac).

Step 2: Navigating to the Network Tab

Once the DevTools are open, you’ll see several tabs across the top. Click on the “Network” tab.

Step 3: Locating the Throttling Settings

The Network throttling settings aren’t immediately obvious. You’ll need to look for a small icon, often resembling a phone signal with a downward-pointing arrow, usually located in the top-left corner of the Network tab, just below the search bar. This icon opens the throttling options. (The exact appearance might vary slightly depending on your Chrome version).

Step 4: Disabling or Customizing Throttling

You’ll see a dropdown menu. This menu shows a list of pre-defined throttling profiles (e.g., “Fast 3G,” “Slow 3G,” “Offline”) and likely a “No throttling” option. If a custom profile is causing issues, you’ll need to find it in this list.

• To disable all throttling: Select “No throttling” from the dropdown menu. This will reset your network settings to their default, unrestricted state.

• To customize Throttling (for developers): If you’re intentionally using throttling for testing, you can create a custom profile. There’s usually an option to “Add” a custom profile; This allows you to fine-tune parameters like Download and Upload throughput (in kbps), Latency (in ms), and possibly other network characteristics. After creating your custom profile and making adjustments, ensure it is the selected profile for your tests. To delete a custom profile, locate it in the dropdown and choose the option to remove it.

Troubleshooting:

• Throttling persists: If you’ve selected “No throttling” and still experience slow network speeds, check your browser extensions. Some extensions might interfere with network settings. Try disabling extensions temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
• Throttling icon missing: Ensure you’re using the latest version of Chrome. An outdated browser may lack the updated DevTools features. Updating Chrome usually solves this problem.

By following these steps, you can regain control over Chrome’s network throttling settings, ensuring optimal browsing speed or precisely controlling simulated network conditions for development and testing purposes. Remember that changes made only affect the current Chrome session.