5 Signs Your Laptop Is Slowing Down (And What You Can Do About It)

Computers naturally slow down over time—but how do you know when it’s a fixable issue or time to upgrade? Here are five common signs your laptop is struggling, and how you can fix them:

1. Slow Boot Times: If your laptop takes minutes to start, it may be overloaded with startup programs or be using an outdated hard drive. Switching to an SSD can cut boot time to seconds.
2. Frequent Freezing or Program Lag: This is often a RAM issue. Upgrading RAM or managing background tasks can resolve this. Check Task Manager for high memory usage apps.
3. Overheating and Loud Fans: Dust buildup or a failing cooling system can cause your device to run hot and slow. Regular cleaning and repasting the CPU can help.
4. Unexpected Popups or Errors: These can point to malware or a bloated system. A proper virus scan and system clean-up can make a big difference.
5. Noisy or Clicking Hard Drive: If you hear clicking sounds, back up your data immediately—this often means hard drive failure is imminent.

Fix or Replace? If your laptop is over 5 years old and struggles after upgrades, it may be more cost-effective to replace it. New machines are faster, more efficient, and save time in the long run.