Why Is My Laptop So Slow? 12 Causes and Easy Ways to Speed It Up

Your laptop is slow most often because too many programs are running at once, the hard drive is almost full, or apps are starting up on their own every time you turn it on. Other common causes are old software, overheating, low memory, malware, and a laptop that is simply getting old.

The good news is that you can fix most of these problems yourself in less than an hour, without buying anything.

This guide explains the 12 most common reasons your laptop is slow and how to fix each one. The steps work for both Windows laptops and Mac laptops.

First, try a restart

Before anything else, restart your laptop. Do not just close the lid. Click Restart from the Start menu on Windows or the Apple menu on a Mac.

Many people leave their laptops on or asleep for weeks. Over time, programs pile up in memory and slow everything down. A restart clears all of that. It also finishes any updates that are waiting.

If your laptop is faster after a restart, try to restart it at least once a week.

Find out what is slowing it down

Your laptop has a built-in tool that shows which programs are using the most power.

On Windows:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click Processes.
3. Click the CPU and Memory columns to sort them. The programs at the top are using the most.

On a Mac:

1. Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
2. Click the CPU and Memory tabs.
3. The apps at the top are using the most.

If one program is using a huge amount, close it. If you do not need it, uninstall it.

12 reasons your laptop is slow

1. Too many programs are open

Every open app, window, and program uses some of your laptop's memory and power. When too many are open, your laptop has to work harder to switch between them.

Fix: Close programs you are not using. Look at the icons in the taskbar (Windows) or Dock (Mac). A dot under an app on a Mac means it is still open.

2. Too many browser tabs

Web browsers are one of the biggest memory users on most laptops. Every tab uses memory, especially tabs with videos, ads, or web apps.

Fix:

• Close tabs you do not need. Bookmark pages you want to read later.
• Turn on your browser's memory saver feature. Chrome and Edge both have one in their settings.
• Remove browser extensions you do not use. Each one uses memory too.

3. Too many apps start up on their own

Many programs set themselves to open every time you turn on your laptop. This makes startup slow and uses memory all day.

On Windows: Go to Settings > Apps > Startup. Turn off apps you do not need right away when your laptop starts. You can also do this in Task Manager under the Startup apps tab.

On a Mac: Go to System Settings > General > Login Items. Remove apps you do not need at startup.

Keep important things on, like your security software.

4. Your storage is almost full

When your hard drive or SSD is almost full, your laptop has less room for the temporary files it needs to run. Updates can also fail. Try to keep 10% to 20% of your storage free.

On Windows:

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage to see what is using space.
2. Turn on Storage Sense to clean up temporary files automatically.
3. Use Cleanup recommendations to remove big files and apps you do not use.

On a Mac:

1. Go to System Settings > General > Storage.
2. Use the Recommendations to store files in iCloud, empty the trash, and remove large files.

Also empty your Downloads folder and your Recycle Bin or Trash.

5. You have programs you never use

Many laptops come with extra programs you do not need. Over the years, you may also install apps you stop using. Some of them run in the background.

On Windows: Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Uninstall programs you do not recognize or no longer use. If you are not sure what something is, look it up before removing it.

On a Mac: Drag unused apps from the Applications folder to the Trash.

6. Your software is out of date

Updates fix bugs and make your laptop run better. Old software can be slow and less safe.

On Windows: Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.

On a Mac: Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.

Update your apps and web browser too.

Good to know: A laptop may feel slow for a while right after a big update, because it is finishing setup in the background. Give it a few hours, and restart it.

7. Your laptop is overheating

When a laptop gets too hot, it slows itself down on purpose to cool off. This is called thermal throttling. Dust in the fans and vents, a soft surface like a bed or pillow, and hot rooms are common causes.

Fix:

• Use your laptop on a hard, flat surface like a desk or table.
• Keep the vents clear. Do not block them with blankets or your lap.
• Gently blow dust out of the vents with a can of compressed air, with the laptop turned off.
• Consider a laptop cooling pad with a fan.

If you hear the fan running loudly all the time, the laptop is working too hard or too hot.

8. It is in battery saver mode

Battery saver or low power mode slows down your laptop to make the battery last longer. This is useful when you are away from a charger, but it can make everything feel slow.

On Windows: Go to Settings > System > Power & battery. Set Power mode to Balanced or Best performance when plugged in.

On a Mac: Go to System Settings > Battery. Check if Low Power Mode is on.

Plug in your charger when you need full speed.

9. Files are syncing in the background

Cloud services like OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox upload and download files in the background. If you have a lot of files, this can slow your laptop and your internet.

Fix: Pause syncing while you work, then turn it back on later. You can usually do this by clicking the cloud icon in the taskbar or menu bar. If your internet also feels slow, our guide on the most common causes of slow internet explains other things that can use up your connection.

10. You have malware or a virus

Malware can run hidden programs that use your laptop's power. It can also show pop-ups, change your browser, and steal information.

Fix:

• On Windows: Open Windows Security and run a Full scan.
• On a Mac: Keep macOS updated. Its built-in protection updates automatically. You can also run a scan with a trusted security app.
• Only download programs from trusted websites or official app stores.

11. Not enough memory (RAM)

RAM is your laptop's short-term memory. It holds the programs you are using right now. If you do not have enough, your laptop has to use the much slower storage drive as backup memory.

Today, 8 GB of RAM is enough for basic tasks like web browsing and email. 16 GB is better for many tabs, photo editing, or gaming.

How to check:

• Windows: Go to Settings > System > About. Look at Installed RAM.
• Mac: Click the Apple menu > About This Mac. Look at Memory.

Some laptops let you add more RAM. Many newer, thin laptops do not. Check your laptop's model online or ask a repair shop.

12. Your laptop is old or has a hard disk drive

Older laptops often use a hard disk drive (HDD), which has spinning parts. Newer laptops use a solid state drive (SSD), which is many times faster. If your laptop takes minutes to start up and open programs, it may have an HDD.

How to check on Windows: Open Task Manager, click Performance, and look at your disk. It will say SSD or HDD.

Swapping an HDD for an SSD is one of the best upgrades for an old laptop. If your laptop is more than 5 to 7 years old and still slow after these fixes, it may be time for a new one.

Quick checklist to speed up your laptop

Try these steps in order:

1. Restart your laptop.
2. Close programs and browser tabs you do not need.
3. Check Task Manager or Activity Monitor for anything using too much power.
4. Turn off apps that open at startup.
5. Free up storage space so at least 10% to 20% is free.
6. Uninstall programs you never use.
7. Install system and app updates.
8. Clean the vents and use the laptop on a hard surface.
9. Turn off battery saver when plugged in.
10. Run a virus scan.

Why is my laptop so slow to start up?

A slow startup is usually caused by too many startup apps, a full drive, or an old hard disk drive. Turn off startup apps you do not need (see reason 3), free up space, and install updates. If your laptop has an HDD, switching to an SSD will make a very big difference.

Why is my laptop slow even though it is new?

A new laptop can feel slow for the first few hours or days while it installs updates and sets up in the background. Leave it plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi, and restart it a few times. New laptops also often come with extra trial programs. Uninstall the ones you do not need. If it is still slow, check if it has enough RAM for how you use it.

When to get help

Take your laptop to a repair shop or contact the maker if:

• It is still very slow after trying every step in this guide
• It makes clicking or grinding sounds, which can mean the hard drive is failing
• It gets very hot or shuts off by itself
• You see lots of pop-ups or strange programs you did not install
• You want to add RAM or an SSD but are not sure how

Back up your files before any repair, in case something goes wrong.

The bottom line

Most slow laptops can be fixed at home. Start with a restart. Then close extra programs and tabs, turn off startup apps, free up storage space, and install updates. Keep your laptop cool and check for viruses. If your laptop is old and still slow after all of that, an SSD upgrade or a new laptop may be the best fix.