Imagine yourself needing to complete a school assignment or work project, but the deadline is around the corner. You boot up your computer to notice that something is wrong with the device.
A sluggish overall performance, random crashes and freezes, loud internal fan noises and overheating, as well as the time it takes for applications to load, is now longer than usual.
Getting used to a properly optimized computer for your work or entertainment is common these days, particularly when we rely on computers so much. At the same time, it is also easy to notice a slight issue. The question is what you can do about it.
Sometimes, a quick search on the Internet is enough to find a solution. Other times, it requires professional help from someone who knows the ins and outs of a computer.
Having said that, an average user should still be familiar with general methods to counter computer issues.
The purpose of this article is to go through the most common causes that lead to computer problems.
Storage
Not enough free space on a computer’s drive is another example of a cause that leads to computer performance troubles. You need to know how to delete files on macbook computers and other computer models.
It is easy to lose track of how much stuff you download on the Internet or what you install. Video games are one of the best examples. Modern gaming requires a lot of storage on your device since high-end IPs with great graphics and a lot of content need room on your computer, so you can play these games.
At the very least, you should remove video games you no longer play. The same applies to other files. If you ever need something, you can download and reinstall it later.
The goal is to free up as much space on the computer’s drive as possible. And if you find your strategy lacking in effectiveness, remember that you can still make the most out of external storage. Accessories like hard drives or USB flash sticks, as well as cloud storage, are great alternatives to keeping files on your computer.
Malware
The odds of cybersecurity threats attacking your computer should not be that high if you have reliable antivirus software that prevents malware. It also helps if you are smart about how you browse the web. Ignoring shady links and such is also a good practice.
Nevertheless, your computer might still become a virus target. Just to be extra cautious, scan the system using reliable antivirus software and confirm that the system is not infected. If the antivirus detects a malware, be sure to have it removed from the device. And if the scan is clean, you can move on to the next step after confirming that the sluggish computer performance is not related to cybersecurity problems.
Dust Inside
The dust inside your computer is something you need to take care of on a regular basis. The filth inside accumulates over time and clogs the internal fans. A struggling internal fan cannot cool off the temperature of the internal hardware. Naturally, it does not take too long for the hardware to break.
Early poor performance signs indicate that the hardware might not last for that much longer. And if you ignore the overheating and high temperature, do not expect that those issues will resolve themselves.
Cleaning the dust inside your computer is annoying but necessary. Take some time to clean the device thoroughly, and make sure to do it once every few months or so.
Outdated Hardware
Outdated computer hardware is a tricky aspect to manage. There are instances when it is cheaper and easier to simply purchase a new computer rather than bother with hardware upgrades.
Besides, in the case of laptops, certain models are not that flexible in terms of modifying individual hardware pieces.
Nevertheless, outdated hardware is still a problem that you need to solve. Whether it is replacing individual parts or getting a new computer comes down to your budget. The takeaway is that outdated hardware is an obstacle, and it will not disappear. If anything, the issue will only grow.
Background Processes
If you are on MS Windows, use Task Manager. If you are on macOS, use Activity Monitor. The two tools are there to show you which background processes are currently running and how many system resources they are consuming.
Redundant background processes are a performance hog. They could be running because you forgot to properly close an application after using it. Or maybe you have too many startup items and do not pay attention to them?
Regardless, having fewer processes running in the computer’s background is bound to improve the overall device performance.
