The computer may run slow due to many reasons. In daily use, we save images, videos, Word documents, or download programs, music and many files from the internet. Obviously, data stored on the computer will keep increasing during the period of usage.
So, you may meet this question – why is my computer lagging. What’s worse, the lagging computer may keep freezing or even shut down. Needless to say, this issue has impacted computer performance and brought trouble to users.
If you are suffering from this trouble, then you come to the right place. In the following part, we will demonstrate some common causes for computer lagging and corresponding methods to fix it.
10 Ways to Fix A Computer Lagging
Generally speaking, both hardware and software can cause this lag issue on the computer. Here are the detailed reasons for computer lagging and measures to make the computer run faster.
1. CPU with Poor Function
CPU with poor performance is always caused by overheated CPU, which mainly happens when playing games. Then, CPU-reliant software can also be bottlenecking. It means the demands of the game far beyond the ability of the processor unit. Simply speaking, if the CPU performance is better, the computer runs faster.
So, to check whether the CPU is running with poor performance, just make a CPU stress test to make sure the Processor is working normally. If not, you need to replace it with a new one.
2. Faulty Hard Drive
When there is something wrong with the hard drive, especially the system drive, computer speed may slow down or even freeze. But firstly, you need to make sure whether the hard drive should be blamed for computer lagging and freezing issues.
To verify it, you may Command Prompt to check logical errors and fix them. Type the commands: chkdsk h: /f and chkdsk h: r/ in order. h represents the hard drive needing to be checked. However, if the hard drive is physically damaged tested by Command Prompt, it is hard to repair it. Replace it if necessary.
In addition, you can finish it by using a third-party partition manager. MiniTool Partition Wizard, a professional program aimed at the disk and partition management, will meet your demands very well.
3. Virus or Malware
Even though your computer has installed antivirus programs, it also can be invaded by kinds of viruses easily. So, viruses and malware are also threats to computer performance.
How to get rid of the potential virus and malware and fix a slow computer? Here is the answer. Now, run an antivirus scan to detect and remove the viruses. Then, check the computer lagging is solved or not.
4. Shortage of RAM
RAM, the temporary memory in the computer, only works when your computer is running. If there are many tasks running at the same time, the system will rely heavily on RAM. Once the RAM is insufficient to support the running programs, the computer may become lagging, random restarting or blue screen.
Under this circumstance, upgrading or replacing the RAM is the best way to fix a slow computer and improve its overall performance.
5. Too Many Startup Programs
If your computer needs a long time to start up or even gets freezing when boot, maybe there are too many startup programs.
To fix it, you can disable the programs that run when booting automatically. For Windows 8 and 10 users, just press Windows and X keys -> Task Manager -> Startup tab. And then, choose the programs (you don’t want to start when booting) and click Disable.
6. Windows System Files Corruption
If you are caught in black screen, blue screen or drive errors when using a computer, corrupted system files could be the cause.
In this case, you need to update the Windows system to the newest version. Notice: upgrading system periodically is very necessary to ensure that the computer can perform smoothly and normally.
7. Insufficient Hard Disk Space
Hard drive space is usually occupied with programs, downloads, stored files, and many temporary files. When your computer runs much slower than its normal speed, you need to check whether the hard disk is running with low space.
This is because the lack of free disk space (especially C drive) will lead to the improper running speed of the operating system. So, you have choices to fix it: removing the useless files or transferring particular files to other devices.
8. Outdated Drivers
Usually, software and hardware issues may take place on Windows when the drivers are outdated. Computer lagging is one of the cases. So, just try updating drivers to fix the issue.
9. Computer Running with Insufficient Power
If the computer is running in low power mode, it will lag in some cases, because the power supply for CPU and graphics card is insufficient. Upon this occasion, you’d better resort to the manufacturer.
Some laptops enable you to adjust the power settings to maximize performance. You just open Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options -> Create a Power Plan. Choose one mode from three options: Balanced, Power saver and High performance. Usually, the last one will maximize your computer performance.
10. Outdated Graphics Card
If you are a computer game player, computer lagging may usually happen when playing games. It is mainly caused by the graphics card. Most game players may know that the graphics card is essential as it processes 3D graphics rendering and physics calculating of game.
So, if a computer is running with a low-level graphics card, the computer lagging issue will happen probably. Don’t worry. It is easy to fix it just by updating it.
Final Words
To fix the computer lagging issue better, the first step is figuring out the real cause(s), then, you can try the methods demonstrated in the paragraphs above.
Of course, the reasons for computer lagging are various since the cases are different. Except for theses, common solutions concluded by many experienced users, you can also find other ways from the internet on the basis of your actual situation. We hope this troubleshooting guide will be useful.
