What Should You Do If Your PC Starts Performing Slowly?

Your laptop or desktop PC can slow down for a number of reasons. Here are some things you can try to get it working properly again.

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Anyone who has owned and regularly used a PC (a desktop computer or laptop) for at least a year or more may have noticed it running slower than normal and not performing anywhere near as well as it normally does.

This can be extremely frustrating, especially when you are halfway through doing something important or just about to start. Let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at a few simple things you can try to get it run faster and working properly again before you get the professionals in.

Why is my PC so slow?

There are many reasons why your PC might be running slow, and some of these common issues that cause your device to perform how it should be are much easier to fix than others. You might have too many programs running at the same time, which could be slowing your computer down, or it might not have enough processing power or memory.

Having a slow PC means you won’t be able to do simple things like watching your favourite movies uninterrupted on Netflix, or playing state-of-the-art live dealer games at trusted iGaming sites like 32red in Hungary.

You also won’t be able to work, edit videos, or do anything else you normally use your PC for until you identify what’s causing your PC to run slow and fix that issue.

Don’t forget that computing technology, capabilities and requirements are changing all the time and becoming more demanding, so although the PC you bought seven to ten years ago was top of the range at the time, some of the components (hardware and software) may be obsolete or need upgrading/updating today.

A virus and its malicious software (malware) may have infected your PC and could be slowing it down, plus many other things.

How can I fix my PC and get it working properly again?

In some cases, a simple switch off and back on again can magically fix some issues, but not the more serious issues. This simple recommendation is otherwise known as ‘rebooting’ or ‘restarting’ the system.

Try holding down the power button for a good 5 seconds, preferably while you haven’t got a million different folders, apps, and programs running. However, sometimes this can’t be avoided. When it has been switched off, leave it for a good 10 to 15 seconds before switching it back on.

If this simple solution hasn’t helped, then you also need to consider the following:

• Identify [startup] programs/apps that could be causing your PC to run slower than normal

• Check your web browser has the latest version and avoid having unnecessary browser extensions and add-ons

• Defragment your hard disk drive (HDD) to sharpen up your system and use the disk cleanup tool to get rid of unnecessary files. Solid-state drives (SSDs) don’t require defragging (defragmentation)

• Check to see if any of your hardware is out of date or no longer sufficient for your PC’s needs. Two of the most crucial pieces of hardware that affect the speed of your PC are storage drive and memory (RAM). You may need more of both

• Upgrade your internet package to get faster speeds

If all else fails, it may be time to call a professional or invest in a new computer.

If you want to use your PC for playing the more graphically demanding titles, like Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Red Dead Redemption 2, The Last of Us, or Alan Wake 2, to name a few hit titles, then you may want to consider getting a more powerful gaming PC that’s specifically designed to handle these games.

Some of the best gaming PCs on the market today are the Alienware Aurora R15, Ace Predator Orion 7000, HP Omen 45L, MSI MEG Trident X2, or iBuyPower SlateMesh Gaming Desktop.