Is Your Laptop Running Slow? Try These 5 Quick Fixes Before Calling Us

Is your laptop taking forever to start up? Programs freezing when you need them most? Before you reach for the phone, try these five quick fixes that often resolve common slowdowns.

The Quick Fixes

1. Restart Your Laptop

It sounds simple, sometimes turning it off and turning it back on again really does help! Restarting clears temporary files and refreshes your system. If you've not restarted in weeks, this alone can make a noticeable difference. Save your work, close everything, and let your laptop fully shut down before turning it back on.

2. Check Your Storage Space

When your hard drive is nearly full, everything slows down. Open File Explorer and check if you have less than 10GB free. If so, delete some old files, empty your recycle bin, or move photos to an external drive. You can also use Windows' built-in Storage Sense feature to automatically clean up temporary files.

3. Close Unnecessary Programs

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager and see which programs are running in the background. Close anything you are not using, especially resource-heavy apps like browsers with multiple tabs open. Some programs may be set to launch automatically at startup, which can significantly slow down your boot time.

4. Run a Virus Scan

Malware can drastically slow down your laptop while running silently in the background. Windows comes with built-in Windows Security, so open it and run a full scan. If anything is detected, follow the recommended steps to remove it. This is also a good opportunity to check that your antivirus software is up to date.

5. Update Your Operating System and Drivers

Outdated software can cause performance issues and security vulnerabilities. Check for updates by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates. Similarly, updating your device drivers (particularly graphics and chipset drivers) can improve overall performance.

When to Call the Professionals

If you have tried all five fixes and your laptop is still running slowly, there may be a deeper issue. Perhaps your hardware is failing, there is a more serious malware infection, or your operating system needs a clean reinstallation. Whatever the case, our team at ClydeSolve has over 30 years of experience diagnosing and fixing laptop issues across Glasgow and the surrounding areas.

We support Windows, Mac, and Linux, and we can assess whether a repair, upgrade, or replacement is the best option for your situation. Book a consultation today and let us get your laptop running like new again.