Why Is My Laptop So Slow? 7 Simple Things to Try First

Few things are as annoying as a laptop that takes an age to do anything. The spinning circle, the long wait to open your emails, the website that won't load — it can make you want to throw the thing out of the window.

Before you do, take heart: a slow laptop is very often fixable, and some of the most effective fixes are things you can safely try yourself. Here are seven simple steps, starting with the easiest. Work through them in order and you may well have your laptop feeling sprightly again.

Why laptops slow down

Over time, laptops gather "clutter" — programs running in the background, browser tabs left open, updates waiting to install, and files filling up the storage. None of it is dramatic on its own, but together it bogs things down. Most slowness is caused by this everyday build-up rather than anything broken, which is exactly why a few simple steps can make such a difference.

7 things to try, in order

1. Restart the laptop properly. Not "close the lid" — actually shut it down and turn it back on. This clears out everything running in the background and fixes a surprising number of problems on its own. If you've not restarted in a week or two, start here.
2. Close programs and browser tabs you're not using. Each open tab and program uses a little memory. If you've got fifteen tabs and three programs open, that adds up. Keep open only what you're actually using.
3. Install any waiting updates, then restart. A laptop that's halfway through downloading updates often feels sluggish. Let Windows or your Mac finish its updates, restart, and things usually settle down.
4. Check how full your storage is. A laptop that's nearly full slows right down. Delete files you no longer need, empty the Recycle Bin or Trash, and consider moving photos and videos to an external drive or the cloud.
5. Turn off programs that start up automatically. Lots of software sets itself to launch the moment you switch on, even if you rarely use it. Trimming this list helps your laptop start faster and run lighter.
6. Run a scan with your security software. Occasionally, slowness is caused by unwanted software running quietly in the background. A scan with your built-in protection (or a trusted security tool) will flag anything that shouldn't be there.
7. Give it a moment after switching on. A laptop is busiest in the first few minutes after starting up, as it loads everything it needs. If it's only slow at the very start, waiting two or three minutes before diving in can be all it takes.

When the problem is the laptop itself

If you've worked through the list and your laptop is still crawling, the cause may be the hardware rather than clutter. Common culprits include an older "hard drive" that's wearing out, not enough memory for modern programs, or a laptop that's simply getting on in years. These aren't things to worry about fixing yourself — but they're very often worth repairing rather than replacing.

A common upgrade, for example, is swapping an old hard drive for a faster "solid-state drive". It's one of the most cost-effective ways to make an older laptop feel years younger, and it's a routine job for us.

We're happy to take a look

If your laptop is still frustrating you, don't put up with it. We help people across Boston and Lincolnshire get more life out of their computers every week — and we'll always tell you honestly whether something is worth fixing or whether you'd be better off replacing it.

You can book a home visit and we'll come to you, or for software-related slowness we can often help quickly with a Remote Fix without leaving your home. Either way, everything is explained in plain English with no pressure.

Ready when you are — book a visit online or call us on 01205 625001.