Why Is My Laptop Running Slow?

A slow laptop is one of the most common complaints we hear from customers across London. The good news is that most slow laptop issues can be fixed — often without replacing your device. Here are the most common causes and what you can do about them.

1. Too Many Startup Programs

Every time your laptop starts, it loads a list of programs automatically. Over time, this list grows and significantly slows down your boot time and overall performance.

Fix: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click the Startup tab, and disable any programs you don't need to start automatically.

2. Not Enough RAM

If your laptop has 4GB of RAM or less, it may struggle with modern applications, especially if you have multiple browser tabs open. When RAM is full, Windows uses your hard drive as virtual memory, which is much slower.

Fix: Upgrade your RAM if possible. Many laptops allow RAM upgrades. Alternatively, close unused applications and browser tabs.

3. Old Hard Drive (HDD)

Traditional spinning hard drives (HDDs) are significantly slower than modern SSDs. If your laptop still has an HDD, this is likely the biggest cause of slowness.

Fix: Upgrade to an SSD. Our SSD upgrade service in London can dramatically speed up your laptop — often making it feel like a new machine. Boot times can go from 2 minutes to under 15 seconds.

4. Virus or Malware Infection

Viruses and malware often run silently in the background, consuming your CPU and RAM. If your laptop has suddenly slowed down, a virus could be the cause.

Fix: Run a full scan with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes. If you suspect a serious infection, our virus removal service provides same-day professional removal.

5. Full Hard Drive

When your hard drive is more than 85% full, Windows performance degrades significantly. Windows needs free space to create temporary files and virtual memory.

Fix: Delete files you no longer need, empty the Recycle Bin, and use Windows' built-in Disk Cleanup tool (search for it in the Start menu).

6. Overheating

Laptops slow themselves down (thermal throttling) when they get too hot to prevent damage. Dust buildup in the vents is the most common cause.

Fix: Make sure your laptop is on a hard, flat surface. Use compressed air to blow dust out of the vents. If overheating persists, a professional cleaning may be needed.

7. Outdated Windows or Drivers

Running an outdated version of Windows or outdated drivers can cause performance issues and compatibility problems.

Fix: Go to Settings > Windows Update and install all available updates. Also update your device drivers through Device Manager.

8. Fragmented Hard Drive

If you have an HDD (not an SSD), file fragmentation can slow things down over time. Note: do NOT defragment an SSD — it can damage it.

Fix: Search for "Defragment and Optimise Drives" in the Start menu and run it on your HDD.

When to Call a Professional

If you've tried the above fixes and your laptop is still slow, it may be time to call a professional. Our slow computer fix service in London includes a free diagnosis to identify the exact cause of your laptop's slowness, followed by a targeted fix.