I had a Lenovo IdeaPad 320 with decent configuration — 4GB RAM, 1TB hard drive, 2.4 GHz Intel Core i3 processor.
The laptop has no problem handling most basic tasks such as web surfing, sending/receiving emails, and running desktop office applications.
But, as time went on. Things started to change. It ran slowly and had more lags. Worse yet, the laptop froze now and then.
Have you ever had similar experiences? There’s nothing more frustrating than a sluggish PC, especially when you need your Lenovo laptop to get the work done as fast as possible.
Why is my Lenovo laptop so slow? That was the question I asked myself many times too. Well, no one (even a computer technician) can give a sure answer to that. Because possible reasons behind a slow laptop can vary from case to case.
However, there are some common “culprits” as I dig into the issue.
That’s what this article is about, helping you figure out the reasons why, and most importantly find the “fixes” to make your slow Lenovo faster!
Contents
1. Get rid of preloaded programs to speed up startup
If your Lenovo is new and it’s slow, chances are those “bloatware” (programs pre-installed with Windows 10 on your computer) have got you.
I still remember that my Ideapad 320 doesn’t come with much software, but has some junk programs that auto start up on their own…a little annoying!
Fortunately, those pre-loaded apps and auto-runs can be uninstalled fairly easily.
For example, if your Lenovo is with the latest Windows 10, just select the Start button > Settings > Apps. Then choose the program you want to remove, and then select Uninstall.
Alternatively, you can use CleanMyPC for the easier way. This program allows you to uninstall programs in batch, time-saving! Also, CleanMyPC can disable those auto-runs that are difficult to remove manually.
The fewer programs/services on the startup list, the faster your Lenovo laptop will load to the first screen.
2. Make sure your Lenovo is free of malware
Malware, short for malicious software, can bog down the performance of any computer when infected. Malware tends to be sneaky and hides in the background.
When you start up your laptop, they run and consume lots of system resources and may cause other problems.
For example, when you browse the Internet and you see annoying auto popups flying around, most likely they’ve got you.
To see whether your Lenovo laptop is malware-free, the best way is to run a malware scan with Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, one of the best security software in the market.
3. Clean up the disk drive
If you are using an old Lenovo, it’s probably loaded with a mechanical hard disk drive (HDD). For a newer high-end Lenovo laptop, chances are it’s with a speedy solid-state drive (SSD).
Anyway, it doesn’t matter whether your laptop has an HDD or SSD, when it’s almost full (e.g. 80% or more) your computer will slow down.
Not sure why the disk is used up so quickly?
It’s time to check whether you’ve saved too many large photos and videos, maybe have installed dozens of third-party applications, or Windows 10 and web browsers you use (Edge, Chrome, Safari, etc.) have generated tons of useless junk files.
How to clean it up? Well, it’s natural for us to start manually checking the files and programs stored on the PC. But, that can be way too time intensive.
A better and easier way is to use a tool for efficiency. CleanMyPC is the one worth trying out.
It’s one of the best PC cleaning software. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to use.
Simply download CleanMyPC and install it on your Lenovo laptop, run a quick scan and it will show you what’s eating up the valuable disk space and what files/programs are safe for removal.
4. Less multitasking, fewer frozen times
If your Lenovo is loaded with too many auto-startup programs, disable them. If you are used to opening several applications at once and you notice the laptop starts to freeze, time to close apps and be more focused (focus = productivity).
If your Lenovo runs slow while you’re surfing the Internet, check if you have too many heavy web pages opened, especially those with sneaky flash/video ads. They tend to tax your system resources while displaying.
How to know if you’re multitasking or not?
The place to go check it out is Task Manager (take Windows 10 for example, it’s probably the operating system your Lenovo is running). If the CPU and memory are being used up, it’s time to end those unnecessary tasks.
This video tutorial has more:
5. Upgrade hardware for real performance boost
If you use your Lenovo laptop mostly for photo editing, video making, 3D modeling, or other types of design work, consider adding more RAM (random-access memory). RAM upgrades can give you more power to handle the large software. You’ll experience fewer system freezes or hangs.
For RAM/memory upgrades, consider Crucial 8GB Single DDR4, Samsung 8GB DDR4, and Patriot Viper DDR4 8GB.
On the other hand, SSDs are becoming more popular and affordable. Replacing the spinning HDD on your Lenovo with a new SSD is almost a guaranteed solution to increase the performance of your Lenovo.
In addition, a laptop with an SSD will be quieter and more dynamic.
For SSD upgrades, consider Crucial MX500 and Samsung 960 EVO.
Pro Tip:
Before you uncover your Lenovo laptop mainframe, we strongly recommend you watch related video tutorials as you can find many on YouTube.
For example, this one shows you how to install an SSD to Thinkpad T460s, and this one is for IdeaPad Y700.
6. Know your Lenovo and use it wisely
Well, usually I’d be reluctant to say this but sometimes it’s not your laptop’s fault; Instead, it’s us who don’t know our laptops well.
See, the Lenovo Ideapad 320 is inarguably a starter laptop that’s best for beginners who just need to do very basic work, e.g. web surfing, document creating, etc.
But if you plan to use it for significant photo editing, video editing, or high-end gaming, then it’s no surprise your laptop will run slow and lag.
So my point is: know the limits of your computer and don’t expect it to over-deliver, especially on heavy tasks listed above. Use it wisely and treat it well.
Any other tips to speed up a Lenovo laptop? Leave your comments below.
Sean
Once windows had performance numbers, ones relating to display, hard drive and much else. Might have been a Win 7 feature.
A raw unmodified E545 had numbers close to 1.
I am trying to find the mod? extension? app? software thingy? that took those numbers to closer to 5 or 6. It does exist.
Samir Kashyap
Hi Chris!!
I am not a novice and understand all the fixes enumerated by you. However, as can be seen by posts above, Lenovo laptops seem to be having inherent issues which lead to freezing/hanging. Have used laptops of Dell, HP and Toshiba of similar or lower configurations but never had any issues with them.
I am NEVER going to buy a Lenovo Laptop ever again.
Matt Hardy
Lenovo Thinkpad is hot garbage. The slowest off-the-shelf computer I’ve ever seen. We upgraded RAM, removed as many startup apps as we could, ran several malware scans, and even took it into GeekSquad. It’s still SLOW AS HELL.
We have bought over 15 computers for our business and this, even though it is brand new (and over $700), is the absolute worst. An abacus is faster, no bullshit.
The keybard is nice but I wish it was connected to a different computer. Don’t believe Joe Rogan. These thinkpad computers suck. We are replacing it with a DELL. Please send me a refund.
Thanks.
A professional in PA
Bibi
Totally agree with you. My Lenovo Ideapad 320 is the slowest laptop I’ve ever used. I have installed no programs on it except for MS Office. I have gone through countless exercises in trying to make it consistent in reaction time and to improve the nasty “milky” looking graphics. I find it lacks crispness and clarity. I’ve had enough of this laptop and will never purchase another Lenovo.
Ab
I could simply see how you are selling your product here without even saying you are selling. lol
All the best.
nad
can i change the intel core of my lenovo ideapad 320 to a i5
vijay
Guys even i have this laptop, have decided not to go for LENOVO at all. Worst experience.
Sumitra Menon
Wonderful. It worked. This was the first article that pulled up. Great work!
Mike
For this configuration using windows 10 it really will not help a lot all that information, because 4 GB RAM is almost minimum limit but more important standard HDD (with a metal disk inside) is too slow for windows 10, cash memory it’s not enough for that operation system, you have to make an upgrade for your PC changing HDD to SSD Drive and I guarantee that your laptop will run much better
Maureen slater
Hi,
I have a Lenovo 80E5 2.2ghz i3 core. 4gb
Super slow, love it tho, I’ve done everything but change SSD. But, is it even worth it?
I mean that like nearly 200$ not to mention the dudes that will charge me to change it.
Honestly, should just get a new computer?
George Nunya
Run Linux OS cured all my computer problems when I left MS Win in the dust.
Jv potenciano
It takes more than half an hour to run nicely then again it will lag i will never gonno buy lenovo models again it sucks it always froze then i will wait nothing change so i will hold the power button to shut it down ( i know its bad to use that holdin the power button ). I dont know how to recover my laptop it sucks lool
Jv potenciano
It takes more than half an hour to run nicely then again it will lag i will never gonno buy lenovo models again it sucks it always froze then i will wait nothing change so i will hold the power button to shut it down ( i know its bad to use that holdin the power button ). I dont know how to recover my laptop it sucks
Kate Wilson
I have a Lenovo 3pad T480. It’s one of the fastest laptops. Because of its battery back up and advance technologies. Through this blog, I am gathering so many information about the fastest Lenovo laptop. Its really helpful for my work.
Tara
Would you know how to get the comptuer from shuting down every time you get in it. Example you go to open ot then about a couple minutes into it it come back omptuer is shutting down and then it does that and goes to the lock page where you put your password in
Marilyn B
What does this mean …Pingms 2o Download mps 34.01 Upload mbps 10.5I
I have a Lenovo windows 10 for a couple of months now. And I work from home. Lately I’m having problems with the company that I work for saying that it’s slow. So I decided to call the cable company and told me that the line is ok. So with the above information that I just posted and with the experience you have what do you think the problem is? I also wanted to mention I deleted the cookies and history. Thank you.
Leo
That is quite a first connection, but download an app to test the wifi speed (on your phone) and then go to where you would normally do your work. Test the wifi speed where you normally work. 5+mbps download and upload should be enough for basic work, while 10 is ok, and should be enough for nearly anything
Marilyn B
My lenova laptop according to my online job says it’s slow. What should I do?
Joanne Redmond
Hi, I have a Lenovo ideapad Flex 4-1570. Every time I will be playing a game or something when I have to charge the computer I will plug it in and within seconds the program or game will freeze and I will have to push the button on the side to shut it down. Is there a way to stop my computer from doing this.
Thanks,
Ronald Prokopiak
Tried to install my printer…
Now the laptop seems to try to boot but no screen comes up…
Any suggestions?
Mckeown
Hi Chris, how are you doing?.
I’m facing a problem where the space,N,Z and B keys of my laptop don’t seem to function easily and quickly as expected.Sometime they do not work at all and I will have to carefully hit the back of my laptop before they function.Please what is the problem and can help me out with a solution?
AnySoftwareTools Team
Hi Mckeown,
Looks like your situation is quite similar to the symptom described in this Lenovo troubleshooting article
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht103985
See the “solution” section and let us know how it works.
– Chris
wayne Turner
Hi
hope you can help
my daughter has a Lenova lapton and once you logon and click on any icon it freezes instantly and stays that way – then have to shut it down by holding down the power button.
This has happend at the worst time due to her exams.
Do you have any ideas?
best regards
Wayne
AnySoftwareTools Team
How old is your daughter’s laptop? And when did the issue first happen? In my opinion, it could be a sign of hard drive failure, so make sure you’ve backed up the data just in case. Another possible reason is that you’ve got too many startup items, disable them in Task Manager.
– Chris
zeeshsan
hi my laptop always take a time for opening program for surfing for schrol down even i got 90 percent space even a single program take a time
lenovo customer care
It is a very informative post. It really helps us a lot.Thanks for sharing a nice article really such a wonderful site you have done a great job once more thanks a lot.
Sarnandu alex martin
Thanks for such few tips well i knew it and i had alredy follow those steps earlier
shiva karthik
i have buy a lenovo ideapad 330 has specifications 4gb nvidia,8gb ram,1tb hdd,i5 intel core processor, 8th generation.while i am using the everytime opening the laptop takes lot of time to open, sometimes it hangs,i really think if my decision is correct or not by choosing the choice lenovo laptop.kindly reply to me… i am just clarifying my doubt.my laptop did not face any issue right now. is any problem in any built software in progrm of lenovo laptop…………..
shaikali
still slow performance the laptop Lenovo ideapad 330
Chong Shin
i have issue computer is slow, its getting worse, i know i purchsased maintenance insurance.
les
my laptopis frozen lenovo screen and says ir will take 1 1/2 hours to dianose problem, its been for almost a whole and has’t change..can’t open anything