Do you have a slow computer? Are you experiencing lag on your device that interferes with your gaming, homework, or other daily activities?
If so, you may wonder why you’re experiencing these hangups, especially if you’re on a new device. There are many reasons why your device may be slow or lagging, meaning there are multiple ways to address the problem.
Below are five strategies to help you beat the lag.
1. Check Your Connection
If you’re online and experiencing lag, the problem might lie with your internet connection rather than the device itself. A bad internet connection may explain why you’re experiencing lag while playing a game or you’re still on the loading screen when trying to view a video.
The internet may not be as strong if you’re in a rural or remote area with minimal connection or service. The same can be true if you’re in a place where too many devices are accessing the internet at once. Use network topology to gain insights about any connectivity issues or transfer to an area where you can get a better connection.
2. Scan for Viruses
Another reason your computer or cell phone might be slow is that it might have a virus.
Viruses are dangerous as they can destroy or erase your hard drive, delete files, and damage applications. By doing this, the virus can slow the performance of your device and crash it completely. That is why it’s always essential to have an anti-virus installed on your device and make sure not to visit suspicious websites.
Once you have an anti-virus program installed, you can scan for viruses to make sure your computer or cell phone is free of them. If the anti-virus software finds suspicious activity on your device, you have the option to cleanse your device, meaning the anti-virus will get rid of it.
After this happens, your device should run smoothly.
3. Restart Your Device
Sometimes, restarting your device will clear the lag for you. Restarting your device will close all applications and force you to open the ones you need the next time you are working or gaming.
You can always close unnecessary applications yourself, but allowing your device to “take a break” will enable it to run in optimal condition.
4. Reduce the Graphics
When you’re using your device to play games, you can adjust the settings to reduce the lag you experience while gaming.
For instance, if you’re playing a game on your PC, you can adjust the game’s graphics from high to low so that your PC isn’t working as hard to keep up with the game’s performance. Your game might not look as impressive as before, but at least you aren’t waiting for your character to move after thirty seconds or more.
5. Only Open the Tabs You Need
This may seem like something everyone should know, but having a multitude of tabs open at once can cause lag on any device. It’s a good idea to close any tabs, apps, or browser windows you haven’t used for the past thirty minutes.
Some sites generate lag while working on specific projects, so you may need to close other tabs until you’re done using them. For instance, if you’re an aspiring fantasy writer and are working with map generators, generating one huge map will likely make your computer lag. You can fix this by making the map on a smaller canvas or closing any other open tabs.
Final Thoughts
A slow computer can be challenging and frustrating to operate. Use these tips to resolve slow or stuttering connections and preserve your workflow and peace of mind.