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Why is Webflow Designer running slow in Design Mode but not in Preview Mode, even after a system restart?

TL;DR
  • Use Google Chrome or Edge, disable extensions, and clear cache/cookies.
  • Reduce large assets, limit Webflow tabs, and minimize complex elements.
  • Turn off real-time collaboration and auto-save to reduce background tasks.
  • Monitor CPU/RAM usage, close unused apps, and enable hardware acceleration.
  • Switch networks or run a speed test to rule out connectivity issues.

If Webflow Designer is running slow in Design Mode but not in Preview Mode, this typically indicates issues with your browser, system resources, or project complexity. Below are steps to diagnose and improve performance.

1. Check Browser Performance

  • Use Google Chrome or Edge (Webflow is optimized for Chromium-based browsers).
  • Disable browser extensions that might interfere (e.g., ad blockers, script blockers).
  • Clear cache and cookies to remove potential performance bottlenecks.

2. Optimize Webflow Project

  • Reduce large assets like oversized images, videos, or complex interactions.
  • Limit the number of active tabs opened in Webflow, as each tab adds resource strain.
  • Minimize excessive Webflow components (e.g., unnecessary nested elements, excessive flex/grid structures).

3. Adjust Webflow Settings

  • Turn off real-time collaboration if multiple designers are working on the project.
  • Disable auto-save temporarily to reduce background processes when making frequent edits.

4. Check System Performance

  • Monitor CPU and RAM usage via Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac).
  • Close unused applications that may be consuming excessive system resources.
  • Use hardware acceleration in Chrome (chrome://settings → Advanced → System → Enable Hardware Acceleration).

5. Try a Different Network

  • Switch to a wired connection or different Wi-Fi network to rule out network-related lags.
  • Run a speed test to ensure high latency isn’t affecting Webflow performance.

Summary

Webflow Designer may lag in Design Mode due to browser issues, system resource limitations, or excessive page complexity. Try using an optimized browser, reducing large assets, disabling unnecessary elements, and checking system/network performance. If the issue persists, test on a different device or network.

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