5 Reasons Your Computer Is Running Slow (And How to Fix It)

Is Your Computer Driving You Mad?

We've all been there — you click something and then sit there waiting while your PC thinks about it for five minutes. The good news is, most of the time it's an easy fix.

1. Too Many Programs Starting Up

When you turn your computer on, dozens of programs might be loading in the background. Most of them you don't need.

The fix: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click "Startup", and disable anything you don't need right away. Things like Spotify, Skype, and Adobe updaters can all wait.

2. Your Hard Drive Is Full

If your drive is more than 90% full, your computer will struggle. It needs breathing room to work properly.

The fix: Delete old files, empty the recycle bin, and uninstall programs you don't use. If you're still short on space, consider upgrading to an SSD — it'll feel like a brand new machine.

3. You Haven't Restarted in Ages

Seriously, when did you last properly restart? Not sleep, not hibernate — a full restart.

The fix: Restart your computer at least once a week. It clears out temporary files and frees up memory.

4. Malware or Viruses

If your computer is suddenly slow and acting weird — pop-ups, strange programs — you might have picked something up.

The fix: Run a full scan with Windows Defender or download Malwarebytes (it's free). If it finds something nasty, get in touch and I can sort it for you.

5. It's Just Old

Sometimes hardware just can't keep up anymore. If your computer is 7+ years old with a mechanical hard drive, it's going to struggle with modern software.

The fix: An SSD upgrade and a RAM boost can give an old PC a new lease of life for under £100. Contact me and I'll take a look.

When DIY Isn't Enough

Sometimes a slow computer isn't just software — it's the hardware. If your hard drive is failing, it can cause random slowdowns, freezes, and crashes that no amount of cleaning will fix. A failing drive often makes a clicking noise or causes files to open very slowly.

If you've worked through all the above and your computer is still crawling, a proper diagnosis can save you from buying a new machine when a £50 repair would sort it.

How Much Does a Computer Repair Cost?

A typical computer health check and clean-up takes about an hour. At £60 for the first hour, it's often much cheaper than replacing a machine that just needs some attention.

Common fixes like virus removal, SSD upgrades, and RAM additions usually take 1–2 hours in total — and the difference afterwards can be remarkable.

If you're in Kent, I come to you — no need to unplug everything and drag it to a shop. Book a repair or see the computer repair Kent page to find out more about what's covered.

Struggling with a slow PC? I fix computers across Kent, at your home or business. Book a repair now →