We all rely on computers for our daily tasks. But, when something goes wrong and your computer begins to run slow, it can severally impact your productivity. So, if you are wondering how to fix lagging PC, we’re here to help.
In this article, we will share our recommendations to help you speed up your computer. You can use these tips to determine why is your computer running slow and fix that problem. So, don’t just wait for your PC to respond like this guy. Try these fixes, instead.
Note: this article only covers overall slow computers. If you have a slow internet connection or boots up slowly, those are entirely different issues that require different solutions.
How To Fix Lagging Pc Issue – Easy Solutions to Speed Up Your Computer
Slow computer got you down? Don’t despair! Here’s how to fix lagging PC. These tips will help you speed up your Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7 computers in no time.
1. Close unused programs
When you have too many programs open, your computer has to work harder and use more resources. If you’re using an old computer, this becomes all the more evident in the form of a slow response. This can cause it to run slowly. Sometimes you don’t even know and some programs are running in the background, consuming your computer’s resources.
To fix this problem, close down any programs that you’re not using. If none of the programs are open in your window, it’s likely background programs. To close them on a Windows computer, right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager. Then check which programs are causing the most impact on your CPU. If you’re not using a program and it’s causing a huge impact, close it immediately.
2 – Delete Temporary Files and Internet Cache
When you browse the internet, your computer saves certain information from websites in temporary files. Over time, these temporary files can build up and take up space on your computer, which can make it run slowly. Additionally, the files that your computer stores in the internet cache can also take up a lot of space and cause your computer to run slower than usual.
You can quickly fix this problem by deleting your temporary files and internet cache. Here’s how to fix lagging PC by deleting temporary files:
a) To do this on a Windows computer, go to the Start Menu and search for %temp%. This will open the temporary files folder. Delete all the files in this folder.
b) To delete your internet cache, go to the Start Menu and search for Internet Options. Go to the General tab and under Browsing history, click Delete. Check the boxes next to Temporary Internet files and website files and cookies and site data. Click Delete.
c) You can also delete your internet cache from the browser settings OR use software like CCleaner to remove any unwanted files and folders.
3. Defragment Your Hard Drive to Fix the PC Lagging Issue
Over time as you use your computer, files can become scattered across your hard drive. This makes it harder for your computer to access these files, which can slow down your computer. Likewise, any bad sectors or a bad HDD can also slow down your computer
Start by checking your hard drive for any errors. You can use any disk check utility like chkdsk or ScanDisk to verify there’s nothing wrong with the hard drive.
Next, you need to defragment your hard drive. This process consolidates all the files on your hard drive and organizes them so that they’re easier for your computer to access. To defragment your hard drive on a Windows computer, go to Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. Select your hard drive and click Analyze. If it says that your hard drive needs to be defragmented, click Defragment.
You can also use the command “defrag” in MS-DOS to do the same.
4. Restart Your PC
This might seem like an obvious solution, but restarting your computer can often fix any temporary issues that might be causing your computer to run slowly. If you’ve been using your computer for a while and it’s starting to slow down, restarting it will help clear out any RAM that might be full and refresh the system.
5 – Upgrade Your RAM
A computer is only as fast as its components. If any of those parts are lagging, your whole system will suffer. And the most important component (after the processor) responsible for slow performance is RAM. So, If your computer is still running slow after trying the tips above, you might need to upgrade your RAM.
The amount of RAM you need depends on what you use your computer for. If you only use it for basic tasks like browsing the internet and checking email, 4GB of RAM should be enough. If you do more demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, you might need 8GB or more.
You can check how much RAM you have and what type it is by going to Start Menu > Computer > Properties. Under the System section, it will tell you how much RAM you have and what type it is.
To upgrade your RAM, you will need to open up your computer and insert the new RAM into the appropriate slot. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can refer to your computer’s manual or contact the manufacturer. Once the new RAM is in, restart your computer and see if it’s running any faster.
6 – Scan for any Viruses or Malware
Viruses and malware can also cause your computer to run slowly. These malicious programs can hog your CPU resources, slow down your internet connection, and fill up your hard drive. To remove these viruses and malware, you can use a malware removal tool like Malwarebytes or Norton Power Eraser.
These tools will scan your computer for any malicious programs and remove them. Once they’re gone, your computer should run a lot smoother.
7 – Upgrade Your Hard Drive
If your hard drive is getting full, this can also slow down your computer. When your hard drive is full, your computer has to work harder to access the files it needs, which can slow it down. To see how full your hard drive is, go to Start Menu > Computer and check how much free space is available.
If you’re running low on space, you can either delete some files or upgrade to a larger hard drive. Upgrading to a larger hard drive is pretty easy – just back up your files, uninstall your old hard drive, install the new one, and restore your files.
8 – Update the Operating System and Drivers
Making sure your operating system and drivers are up to date can also help improve your computer’s performance. New updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can help speed up your computer.
To update your Windows computer, go to Start Menu > All Programs > Windows Update. For Mac computers, go to the App Store and check for any updates.
You should also make sure your drivers are up to date. Drivers are the software that allows your operating system to communicate with your hardware. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of problems, including slow performance.
To update your drivers, you can go to the manufacturer’s website and check for any new updates. Or, you can use a driver update tool like Driver Easy to scan for and automatically update your drivers.
Updating your operating system and drivers can help improve your computer’s performance, so it’s worth taking the time to do it.
9 – Disable Startup Programs To Fix PC Lagging Issue
When you start your computer, a lot of programs start running in the background. This can slow down your computer because it has to load all those programs every time it starts up. To disable these startup programs, you can go to Start Menu > type ‘msconfig’ in the search box and hit Enter.
This will open up the System Configuration window. Go to the Startup tab and uncheck any programs that you don’t want to start automatically. Once you’ve made your changes, click OK and restart your computer.
10 – Use a Lightweight Antivirus
Antivirus software can also consume a lot of resources and cause your computer to run slowly. If you’re using a heavyweight antivirus like Norton or McAfee, try switching to a lightweight program like Microsoft Defender or Avast Free Antivirus.
These programs use fewer resources and won’t slow down your computer as much. Of course, you should still run regular scans to protect your computer from viruses and malware.
11 – Run A Registry Cleaner
Are you still wondering how to fix lagging PC issue? Try running a registry cleaner program.
The Windows Registry is a database that stores all the settings and options for your computer. Over time, the registry can become cluttered with junk files and outdated settings, which can cause your computer to run slowly.
To fix this, you can use a registry cleaner program like CCleaner to scan for and remove any junk files or invalid settings. This can help improve your computer’s performance and stability.
12 – Disable Any Browser Plugins or Extensions
If you’re using a web browser like Chrome or Firefox, you may have installed some plugins or extensions. These can be helpful, but they can also slow down your browser and cause it to use more resources.
To disable plugins and extensions, open up your web browser and go to the settings. In Chrome, you can go to chrome://plugins/ and disable any plugins that you don’t need. In Firefox, you can go to about:addons and disable any add-ons that you don’t need.
13 – Upgrade your processor
If you’re still using an older processor, like a Pentium 4 or Athlon XP, it might be time for an upgrade. These older processors can’t keep up with today’s demanding software, so upgrading to a newer processor can give your computer a significant performance boost. Go for the latest gen core i3 or better processors.
Of course, this isn’t always an option, since you’ll need to buy a new motherboard to support a newer processor. But if you’re planning on upgrading your other hardware anyway, it’s worth considering.
14 – Use an SSD to Store Your Files
If you’re still using a hard drive, upgrading to an SSD can give your computer a significant performance boost. SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives, so they can load programs and files much quicker.
Of course, SSDs are more expensive than hard drives, so this isn’t always an option financially. But if you’re planning on upgrading your hard drive anyway, it’s worth a shot.
15 – Make sure the CPU isn’t overheating
In case your computer is running slow and you’ve ruled out all other potential issues, it’s possible that the CPU is overheating. This can happen if the CPU fan isn’t working properly or if there’s too much dust inside the case.
To check if the CPU is overheating, you can use a program like CPU-Z or CoreTemp. These programs will show you the current temperature of the CPU, as well as other vital information.
If the CPU temperature is above 80 degrees Celsius, it’s probably overheating. You can try cleaning the CPU fan or reapplying thermal paste to the processor. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the CPU fan or buy a new cooler.
For more details, read our detailed guide for troubleshooting CPU overheating Issues.
16 – Hardware issues & Conflicts
In some cases, hardware issues can cause your computer to run slowly. This is most likely to happen if you’ve recently added or upgraded any hardware.
If you’ve added a new hard drive, for example, it might not be configured correctly. Or if you’ve upgraded your graphics card, it might not be compatible with your other hardware.
To check for hardware issues, open up the Device Manager (you can type “Device Manager” into the Start menu to find it) and look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark. These devices represent hardware issues.
To fix these issues, you can try updating the driver for the device. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the device. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the hardware.
Alternatively, you can use a hardware diagnostic utility like Ultimate Boot CD to automatically check for any hardware issues that may be causing a lagging PC issue.
Final Thoughts
That’s all – we hope now you know how to fix lagging pc. If you’ve tried all of these and your computer is still lagging, it’s possible that there’s a more serious problem at play. In that case, it’s best to take your computer to a professional for further diagnosis.
Keep in mind that a lagging pc can also be caused by malware. If you suspect that your computer is infected, it’s best to scan it with an antivirus program like Malwarebytes.
I hope this has helped you fix your lagging pc issue. If you have any other questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment. Thank you for reading. 🙂
