23/06/2026
Why Is My Laptop So Slow? 10 Causes and How to Fix Them
A slow laptop is frustrating — but in the vast majority of cases, it is completely fixable without buying a new machine. After 25 years repairing computers across Okehampton and Devon, Darren has seen every cause and knows exactly how to cure them.
The 10 most common causes of a slow laptop
1. Too many startup programmes
Every time you install software, it often adds itself to your startup list. Over the years this builds up, and Windows has to load all of it before you can do anything. The fix is simple — open Task Manager, go to the Startup tab, and disable anything you don't need immediately on boot.
2. A full or nearly full hard drive
When your hard drive is more than 85% full, Windows performance drops sharply. It needs free space to create temporary files, run virtual memory, and defragment. Delete old files, empty the Recycle Bin, and use Disk Cleanup to free up space.
3. You still have a spinning hard drive (HDD)
This is the single biggest performance upgrade available. Replacing an old mechanical hard drive with a solid state drive (SSD) typically makes a laptop feel 3–5 times faster. Boot times drop from 2–3 minutes to under 20 seconds. If your laptop is slow and still has an HDD, this is the fix.
💡 Darren's Tip
An SSD upgrade at Laptop Repairs Okehampton typically costs £60–£90 including parts and labour, and your data is migrated across. It's the single best value upgrade you can do on an older machine.
4. Not enough RAM
If you regularly use a web browser with multiple tabs, Office documents, and other software simultaneously, you may simply not have enough RAM. Modern Windows 10/11 ideally needs at least 8GB. If you have 4GB, your system is constantly swapping data to disk — which is slow.
5. Malware and viruses
Viruses, adware, and background processes from malware consume your CPU and RAM constantly. If your laptop suddenly became slow (rather than gradually), malware is a strong suspect. Run a full scan with Windows Defender, or bring it in for a professional clean.
6. Overheating and thermal throttling
When a laptop gets too hot, the processor automatically slows itself down to prevent damage — this is called thermal throttling. If your fan is loud and the laptop is hot to touch, dust buildup inside the vents is almost certainly the cause. A professional clean of the internals can make a dramatic difference.
7. Windows needs updating
Pending Windows updates can cause background slowdowns as the system prepares to install them. Keep Windows fully updated — go to Settings → Windows Update and install everything.
8. Bloatware from the manufacturer
Many laptops come pre-loaded with trial software, antivirus subscriptions, and manufacturer utilities that run in the background and serve no useful purpose. A clean Windows reinstall removes all of this and starts fresh.
9. The hard drive is failing
A dying hard drive causes extreme slowness as Windows retries failed reads. You may also notice strange noises, freezes, or the dreaded Blue Screen of Death. This is urgent — get it looked at immediately before you lose data.
⚠️ Warning
If your laptop is freezing, making clicking sounds, or throwing Blue Screen errors alongside slowness, this may indicate a failing hard drive. Back up your data immediately and seek professional help.
10. The battery needs replacing
Surprisingly, a degraded laptop battery can cause performance throttling. Windows may reduce CPU performance to manage power when it detects a failing battery. Check your battery health in Settings → System → Battery.
Is your laptop running slow?
Bring it to Darren at Laptop Repairs Okehampton. Free diagnosis, honest advice, and most fixes completed within 24 hours. Serving Okehampton, Tavistock, Crediton and all of Devon.
📞 Call 07564 432851
When should you replace vs repair?
If your laptop is less than 8 years old, a repair or upgrade almost always makes more financial sense than buying new. An SSD upgrade + RAM upgrade might cost £100–£130 and give you another 4–5 years of fast, reliable performance. Compare that to the cost of a new laptop.
If your laptop is over 10 years old and has multiple hardware failures, replacement may be the smarter investment. Darren will always give you an honest assessment — he'll tell you when a repair isn't worth it.
