Slow Computer/Crashing

Select your OS:

Windows

  1. Windows and device drivers need update
    1. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
  2. Too many apps open.
    1. Use Task Manager to see if a program is using a lot of resources. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and then click “Task Manager” on the screen that appears.
    2. Close anything not needed, force tasks to end if necessary.
    3. You can sort apps by which ones are using the CPU the most by clicking the CPU percentage on the top bar
  3. Not enough storage
    1. To check the amount of storage, select the Start button, then select Settings > System > Storage.
    2. Delete unnecessary or temporary files from your device. Move photos and videos to cloud storage or an external drive
  4. Virus
    1. Use antimalware and antivirus software to make sure a virus isn’t affecting computer performance. Check our antivirus Quick Fix for more details
  5. Using an app not fully compatible with the system
    1. An app may require a different processor or graphics card. Check system requirements in apps to make sure it can run smoothly

 

MacOS

  1. Not have enough free disk space.
    1. To make disk space available, you can move files to another disk or an external storage device, then delete files you no longer need on the startup disk.
  2. Not enough memory
    1. To see how much memory your Mac has, choose Apple menu > About This Mac, then check the amount of memory listed in the Overview pane. 
    2. It is possible to install more memory. For more info on increasing the computer’s memory, choose Apple menu > About This Mac > Memory, then click Memory Upgrade Instructions in the lower-right corner. 
  3. Using an app not fully compatible with the system
    1. An app may require a different processor or graphics card. Check system requirements in apps to make sure it can run smoothly
    2. To see what processor your computer has, choose Apple menu > About This Mac > Overview.
    3. To see what graphics card your computer has, choose Apple menu > About This Mac > Displays. The name of the graphics card in your computer is displayed in the middle of the window.
  4. Too many apps open.
    1. Use Activity Monitor to see if a particular app or activity is making a large demand on your Mac. Go to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor, or use Spotlight to find it. Close anything not needed, force quit tasks if necessary

iPhone/iPad

  1. App not responding
    1. Close any apps behaving weirdly. If app was not downloaded from Apple Store, it may be affecting the device and should be removed
  2. Storage low
    1. You can check your device's storage in Settings > General > [Device] Storage. For best performance, try to maintain at least 1GB of free space.
    2. Delete apps and files that are not needed to free up space. Move photos and videos to cloud storage or an external hard drive.
  3. Low Power Mode is on
    1. Low Power Mode lowers phone performance to extend battery life. Turn off this mode if you need the device to act normally.
  4. Phone overheated
    1. If the device is left somewhere hot, it might behave less smoothly. Move to a cooler place and wait for the temperature to adjust.
    2. Avoid using heavy apps for very long periods
  5. Battery failing
    1. Over time, the rechargeable batteries in all iPhone models will diminish in their capacity and peak performance and will eventually need to be replaced. 
    2. iOS can show battery health and recommend if an iPhone battery needs to be replaced. Go to Settings > Battery >  Battery Health.

Android

  1. Updates needed
    1. In your phone's Settings app, tap System > Advanced > System Update. Check to see if there are any pending updates.
  2. Low storage
    1. In your phone's Settings app, tap Storage. See how much storage you have available. Your phone can start having issues when less than 10% of storage is free.
    2. Delete any apps and files not needed. Move photos or videos to cloud storage or an external hard drive
  3. App causing issues
    1. Apps, especially if not downloaded from the Google Playstore, may be affecting performance. Uninstall apps that act oddly and check if the device improves.
  4. Battery failing
    1. Check battery life in Settings app. See if any app is using an unusually large percentage of battery life, especially if you haven't used that app in the last few hours. Periodically check battery used by apps to see if using certain apps causes massive battery drain.
    2. Most batteries will degrade over time and may cause overheating or crashing. Replace battery if needed.