How to fix a slow Lenovo laptop

Have you found yourself frustrated as your Lenovo® laptop drags through tasks that once seemed effortless? Thankfully, there are several strategies to get your laptop running smoothly again, from optimizing system settings to upgrading hardware components. We'll help you get your laptop back in working order.

When your tech fails, Asurion tech care shines—turning tech trials into triumphs with quick, expert solutions that keep your devices connected. Here’s why your Lenovo laptop might be running slow and how to fix it.

Why is my Lenovo laptop so slow?

Experiencing a slow Lenovo laptop can be frustrating, especially when you need it to perform efficiently. Several factors might contribute to sluggish performance, such as outdated software, insufficient disk space, or hardware issues.

How to increase speed on a Lenovo laptop

Here’s a look at some ways you can speed up a slow laptop.

Adjust your system settings

Optimizing your system's settings can speed up your laptop by ensuring that it uses its resources more efficiently.

• Adjust power settings for high performance. Boosts processing speed by allocating maximum resources to active tasks.
• Disable unnecessary startup programs. Reduces initial load times by preventing non-essential applications from launching during startup.
• Manage background processes. Frees up valuable CPU and RAM resources, resulting in a faster and smoother experience.

Adjust power settings for better performance

Your Lenovo laptop's power settings can significantly affect its performance. To make sure your laptop is running at its full potential, adjust your power settings to prioritize performance.

Go to Settings > System > Power & sleep. In the Power section, choose Best performance in Power mode to maximize speed and responsiveness.

Turn off unnecessary startup programs

Startup programs can slow down your laptop as they load when you start your device. To disable unnecessary startup programs, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click the Startup apps tab on the left, and disable programs you don’t need to start automatically.

How to manage background processes

Background programs and processes can use valuable system resources and slow your laptop down. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, and click the Processes tab on the left to view running applications. End any tasks that use excessive resources and are not essential to your current work.

Free up disk space

A nearly full disk can hinder your laptop’s performance as it has less space to manage temporary files and system processes. Freeing up disk space can improve speed and efficiency.

Type “disk cleanup” into the search bar and select the files you want to clean up. Then, select Clean up system files, and follow the prompts to delete temporary files, purge system cache, and more.

You can also uninstall programs you no longer use to free up space. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, browse the list, and remove unnecessary programs.

Check for malware and viruses

Malware and viruses can slow down your Lenovo laptop, so run a full system scan using your preferred antivirus software to detect and remove malicious programs. Also, keep your antivirus software up to date to protect your laptop from future threats.

Update drivers and system software

Outdated drivers and system software can cause performance issues, but a quick software update can solve this. If there are no updates or you’re still having problems with outdated drivers, you can manually reinstall them.

Upgrade your laptop’s hardware

If you’ve tried software solutions without success, it may be time to consider hardware upgrades. Check your laptop’s performance metrics and compare them to the requirements of your tasks. If you consistently run out of RAM or struggle with slow disk speeds, upgrading hardware might be the next step.

Upgrading your laptop’s memory

If your laptop is running slowly, upgrading your RAM can improve speed. Check your laptop's specifications to determine the type and maximum amount of RAM it supports, then purchase compatible memory and install it according to Lenovo’s guidelines.

Need help figuring out how much RAM you’ll need? Check out our guide.

Upgrading your laptop’s storage

Replacing a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) with a solid-state drive (SSD) can drastically improve boot times and application load speeds. An SSD has no moving parts, so it provides faster data access, leading to a more responsive laptop.

Not sure whether your hard drive needs an upgrade? Here’s everything you need to know.

Perform a factory reset

If all else fails, a factory reset can resolve persistent performance issues. This option will reset and restore your laptop to its original state, removing any software conflicts or corrupted files affecting performance.

Before factory resetting, back up all your important data. Save your documents, photos, and other critical files on an external hard drive, cloud storage, or both.

How to factory reset your Lenovo laptop

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Click Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC.
3. Select Remove everything to delete all your files, apps, and settings, or select Keep my files to reset just the apps and settings. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete that reset.

Tips for maintaining your laptop’s speed and performance

To keep your Lenovo laptop running smoothly, regularly update your software, perform disk cleanups, and avoid installing unnecessary programs. Additionally, ensure your laptop’s fan is free from physical obstructions, like debris or clothing, and is kept cool to prevent overheating.