Chromebook Running Slow? 10 Ways to Fix
It will be up to speed in no time
Your Chromebook will run slow if it’s been running for too long without a reboot. Low memory and storage space can also slow down its performance. Chromebooks sometimes freeze if running an outdated or buggy operating system.
We recommend shutting down your Chromebook a couple of times weekly for optimum performance. Doing so refreshes ChromeOS and clears out unnecessary background processes hogging system resources. Try other troubleshooting recommendations below to speed up a slow Chromebook.
1. Close Unneeded Applications
Closing unused or unneeded applications will free up memory for other apps and system services to run smoothly.
Use the Diagnostics app to check how much free memory your Chromebook has at any given time.
PressCtrl+Search+Escto open the Diagnostics app. SelectSystemon the sidebar and check the “Memory” section for your Chromebook’s real-time memory usage.
Close applications you aren’t using if your Chromebook’s available memory is running low.
Right-click the app icon on your Chromebook’s shelf and selectClose.
Follow the steps below to close applications using theChromeOS Task Manager.
Alternatively, open Chrome, tap thethree-dot menu iconin the top-right corner, and selectMore Tool>Task Manager.
You can close multiple apps simultaneously in the Task Manager. Press and hold theCtrl, select the apps you want to close, and select theEnd processbutton.
Note:You can’t close or terminate the Google Chrome browser via the Task Manager. Task Manager grays out the “End process” button when you select “Browser.”
2. Close Unneeded Browser Tabs
Web browsers run every tab you open asindividual sub-processes. Each tab/process uses your Chromebook’s memory to stay running. The more browser tabs you open, the more RAM your browser uses, and the less memory available for other applications.
If you use amid-range or budget Chromebookwith 8GB RAM or less, closing unneeded or open tabs will reduce your browser’s memory footprint and help your device run faster.
3. Update, Disable, or Uninstall Browser Extensions
Extensions can also hog your Chromebook’s memory and cause it to run slowly. Use Chrome’s Task Manager to check your browser extensions’ memory footprint and disable or remove extensions consuming excessive RAM.
You should see an “Extensions updated” message in the bottom-left corner when Chrome updates all extensions. Disable/uninstall the extension (see next step) if it continues to hog system resources or slow down your Chromebook.
4. Check for Memory Issues
The Chromebook Diagnostics app has a memory test tool that diagnoses hardware-related issues or damages to your device’s memory. Run a memory test if your Chromebook continues running slowly after a reboot or closing all apps.
Close all applications and follow the steps below to run the memory test.
Alternatively, typechrome://diagnosticsin Google Chrome’s address bar, and pressEnter.
You can also use theCtrl+Search+Esckeyboard shortcut to open the Chromebook Diagnostics app.
Note:The Diagnostics app is available on Chromebooks running ChromeOS v90 or newer.Update your Chromebookif you don’t find Diagnostics in the app library.
The memory test takes about 15-20 minutes. Your Chromebook’s memory is in good condition if the memory test tool displays a “Passed. Test succeeded.” result. Contact your Chromebook manufacturer for assistance if your device fails the memory test.
5. Free Up Storage Space
Your Chromebook’s performance and speed will deteriorate when low on storage space. Check your device’s storage status and ensure at least 20% of hard drive space is available.
Go toSettings>Device>Storage managementto check your Chromebook’s storage status.
You’ll see files, browsing data, apps, extensions, and system data taking up your device’s storage.
SelectBrowsing datato review and clear Chrome’s browsing history, cached images, cookies, and other site data.
ChromeOS will redirect you to the Files app when you selectMy files. Move your files to an external storage device or Google Drive to free up internal/local storage space.
You should also consider uninstalling unneeded apps, reducing Linux disk size, and deleting offline files. Refer to ourHow to Free Up Space on Your Chromebooktutorial for more storage management tips.
6. Restart Your Chromebook
Rebooting your Chromebook canfix memory leaks, improve responsiveness, and resolve other issues causing it to slow down. Also, a system reboot is sometimes needed to install pending software updates.
Close all active applications or browser tabs before rebooting your Chromebook to avoid losing unsaved data.
Alternatively, press and hold your Chromebook’sPowerbutton for 3-5 seconds and selectShut Downon the power menu.
Wait 30 seconds for your Chromebook to shut down and press thePowerbutton to turn it back on. Update your Chromebook’s operating system if it continues to run slowly.
7. Update Your Chromebook
Google rolls out new Chromebook features and bug fixes through ChromeOS updates. Chromebook automatically downloads software updates when connected to Wi-Fi, but you can alsocheck for updates manually.
Go toSettings>About ChromeOSand selectCheck for updatesorRestartto install a pending update.
8. Update Your Apps
Does your Chromebook freeze when using a specific app? That’s likely because the app is buggy, outdated, or incompatible with your Chromebook. Update the app from its settings menu or Google Play Store and check if that resolves the issue.
If yousideloaded the app, download and install the latest version from the developer’s website. Uninstall and reinstall the app if it continues to slow down your Chromebook.
9. Hard Reset Your Chromebook
Reset your Chromebook’s hardware if none of the troubleshooting steps above improves its performance. The hardware reset operation might delete some files in the “Downloads” folder. Move or back up important files to other folders or Google Drive.
Turn off your Chromebook and wait 30 seconds. Press and hold theRefreshbutton and tap thePowerbutton once. Release theRefreshbutton when your Chromebook starts up.
You can also perform a hard reset by pressing and holding theBack+Refresh+Powerbuttons for 10-15 seconds.
If you use a Chromebook tablet, press itsVolume Up+Powerbuttons for 10-15 seconds.
Some Chromebook models have a dedicated hardware reset button. Insert a paperclip or SIM card ejector in the hole on the base of the Chromebook to access the button.
Hold the paperclip in place, connect the Chromebook to a power source, and press thePowerbutton.
10. Factory Reset (Powerwash) Your Chromebook
Resetting your Chromebook to factory settings will erase everything on your Chromebook—apps, profiles, downloads, screenshots, browser extensions, etc. Back up your Chromebook before power-washing it to avoid losing important files or data.
Contact an administrator to factory reset a school or work Chromebook. See ourHow To Powerwash (Factory Reset) Chromebookstutorial for step-by-step instructions.
Contact your Chromebook manufacturerif a factory reset doesn’t improve its performance or responsiveness.
Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio
Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.
HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use
Copyright © 2008-2024 Help Desk Geek.com, LLC All Rights Reserved
