A slow computer is quite frustrating as it puts a halt on overall performance. Though some of the reasons that make your computer sluggish seem to be complex, they are sometimes easy to repair, and you fix them reading this article even if you lack technical skills.
Computer Doesn’t Turn on
One of the most common problems you face with your computer is failure to turn on the device. This is annoying when you are working on an important project or have to complete a presentation by evening.
If you are using a desktop, make sure that all the power cables are plugged in properly. On laptops, ensure that the battery is charged or connect the charger. The possibilities are that either the AC adapter or the DC jack are not functioning, and you need to replace them.
Full Scratch Disk
If you work with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, or other graphic design apps, you should be familiar with the scratch disk error that hampers the device’s performance. Running high-end programs requires optimizing the computer regularly.
When the RAM on your computer gets full, Photoshop starts storing temporary project files in virtual memory on the hard drive, which is known as scratch disks. For optimal performance, you need to clear the scratch disk frequently. You can get ample information about scratch disks and some ideas on clearing them from online resources.
Laptop Shuts Down Abruptly
If you notice that the computer is shutting down all of a sudden without displaying any prior warning or error message on the screen, it might be the victim of a kernel panic. There can be a problem with a hardware component.
Though it’s not common, if it happens, you need to identify and solve the problem in a timely manner. Run hardware diagnostics to scan the hardware components and determine what is causing the issue.
Battery Is Draining Fast
While Working on your laptop, you may notice that your battery is draining faster than usual. You may need to connect the charger to the power outlet all the time when you are working on an urgent project as you don’t want the laptop to turn off.
In this case, the problem may lie in the power adapter or the wall outlet. To check if the power socket is working appropriately, try plugging your phone’s charger and check if it’s charging. If it seems to work, there can be an issue with your laptop’s battery.
Keyboard or Several Keys Not Working
If you are using a wireless keyboard, check if the USB is connected to the right port in the computer cabinet or the laptop. In case you are using a wired keyboard, and it’s not working, check if it’s connected properly. Sometimes, Several keys on the keyboard stop functioning or type the wrong character.
Sticking keys may be causing the error, and you need to clean the keyboard by removing the keycaps. Once removed, clean the area beneath the keys with a damp cloth to remove any dust or liquid that might be responsible for causing typing errors.
Loud Noise During Startup
Startup chimes are common with Mac computers and are annoying, particularly when you are attending your class, meeting, or sitting in the library. MacBooks emit strange noisy sounds when you turn on the device and disappear once it boots.
On macOS Big Sur and later versions, go to the Apple menu and navigate to System Preferences. Click on Sounds, and uncheck the Play sound on the startup option from the Sound Effects tab.
Browser Running Slow
The browser-related issues on your computer can be WiFi-specific and might be occurring due to a slow internet connection. You may check the internet speed online or try to reboot the modem and router devices.
If nothing seems to fix the slow browsing problem, try to delete the web cache files from your computer. Go to the Settings on your browser and then clear browsing history, cache, and temporary files to speed up the browser. Also, delete any additional internet browser extensions as they can be the reason behind sluggish browsers.
Hard Drive Full Error
If you are storing large volumes of data on the hard drive and never spend time managing your files, you will soon encounter this error. In some cases, as many as more than half of the files stored on the drive are redundant.
Deleting data at a regular interval is essential to ensure enough storage space for other important files. You should keep at least 15% of hard drive space free for optimal performance and better productivity.
Conclusion
These are some of the most common computer problems that users encounter, no matter if they are using a Mac or a Windows computer. Troubleshooting these problems is simple, and you can rectify them following easy workarounds.