Is your computer too slow? You might be looking for the causes of slowing down the PC. Because finding the causes of any problem is the first step to solving it out. Therefore, here in this article, I will tell you about 10 possible reasons why your computer becomes too slow.
Along with these causes of slowing down your PC, I will also advise you on how you can fix the individual cause of slowing down your PC.
Reason #1: Not enough free space in the hard drive
The free hard drive space is generally the space in your hard drives that is not in use or you can anytime write inside. Hard drive free space is not only used to store files and data but also functions to allow swap file space and virtual memory required for the programs to operate, for example, while creating temporary files.
Make sure there is at least 20% of free hard drive space to verify whether it is the cause of the PC slowdown or not. If there is less than 20% of free hard drive space, you should increase the free space by removing useless files permanently, when possible.
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Reason #2: PC Didn’t reboot for a long time period
You would know that most of the time restarting or rebooting a computer system solves all the issues. If for a long time, you didn’t reboot your PC, it is possible that your PC starts hanging and become slow down.
So, to get rid of this issue, simply reboot or restart your computer. If it is the reason for slowing down the PC, then the problem will be solved just by rebooting the computer.
Reason #3: Arbitrary shutdown of PC from the power button
The improper shutdown is the main cause of disc corruption, and should not be commonly used. So, remember not to arbitrarily shut your computer off from the power source. Always perform a valid shutdown from Start > Shutdown (for Windows PC).
Reason #4: Hard drive corrupted or fragmented
Hard drive corruption or fragmentation may be a reason for slower PC and one of the main causes of hard drive corruption is obviously the improper shutdown of the PC. Apart from this, the computer virus may also be the reason for hard drive corruption.
So, once you make sure that your PC becomes slow just due to the hard drive corruption and fragmentation, instantly diagnose and repair your hard drive.
Reason #5: Too many programs are running in the background
Running too many programs in the computer background is the main reason for freezing and slowing down the PC. So, first of all, you should remove or disable the startup programs that automatically start each time the computer boots.
Other than this, if you use any antivirus program that automatically scans your computer in the background, you should set it up to not scan the PC in the background because it may decrease the overall performance of your computer.
To see which programs are running in the background and how much memory and CPU they are using, open Task Manager and establish a schedule to run your antivirus and other programs that require scanning of your hard drive.
Reason #6: Make sure if there are any hardware conflicts and outdated drivers
Hardware conflict occurs when two devices try to use the same resource. For example, if a hardware device in the computer shares the same IO port as another device that would result in a hardware conflict. So, in such conditions, your computer may become slow or start hanging!
The slowing down of a Windows computer can also be caused due to outdated drivers. For example, if there is an issue that exists with your video drivers, a computer could lock up while playing a game or displaying any other video.
You should make sure you have the latest drivers for all major devices in your computer (video, sound, modem, and network) and there is no hardware conflicts. All this you can verify in the Device Manager of your computer system. If any issue with drivers or hardware exists, resolve it as they could be the cause of your problem.
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Reason #7: The computer may be infected with a virus or malware
Viruses or malware may also be a prominent reason for a slower PC. So, you should quickly make sure your computer is infected with a virus or malware. I suggest you install a trusted antivirus software and scan your whole PC to make your PC virus free.
Reason #8: Your operating system may be out of date
Sometimes it may also be the reason for slowing down the PC. You should make sure that you’re using a fresh or the latest version of Windows or any other operating system you use. Not only this, but if you are on the Internet when your computer is slow, also make sure all browser plugins are up-to-date.
Reason #9: Your computer is overheating
There are some components in your PC that may cause your computer to be overheated and the processor is at the front of this list. Another reason for overheating is obstructed fans. Make sure your computer case is clean and fans are not obstructed. Excessive heat can cause a significant decrease in computer performance.
Most motherboard manufacturers include the CPU temperature-monitoring software. If you are not sure if you have one, contact your computer manufacturer.
Reason #10: Your PC may be needing more RAM
As you would know each program in your computer needs some RAM space temporarily to keep running and if you’ve very little amount of RAM, it becomes difficult to run multiple programs at a time.
If you always need to run too many programs simultaneously, then you should have more RAM to handle them all. If your PC is becoming slow in this kind of situation, it means you need to upgrade your random access memory (RAM).
If you have an Intex Core i3 processor in your computer, you should have at least 1 – 2 GB of RAM in your PC. For higher power processors, you should have more RAM such as 3 GB or more.
More Articles to Read:
- Possible Reasons for Why Does PC Freeze So Often?
- Top 10 Ways To Speed Up Your Computer
- Free Tune-Up Software For Your Windows Computer
These 10 are the most possible reasons for slowing down your computer system! So, just solve all the above-mentioned issues as any of them could be the cause of your problem! Further, you can ask any of your doubts via the comment box.
Very nice and useful write up. This resource is really useful to speed up the computer.