Chromebook: how to speed up a slow Chromebook
Chromebooks are built to be quick, but they slow down when memory, storage or the browser gets overloaded. These steps help.
Restart it
Many people only close the lid. Switch the Chromebook off properly now and then. Press and hold the power button and choose Shut down, then turn it on again.
Close tabs and apps
Each open tab uses memory. Close the ones you are not using. You can see what is using the most by pressing Search and Esc together to open the Task Manager. Select a tab or app that uses a lot and choose End process. Only end things you recognise, and save your work first.
Remove extensions you do not need
- Open Chrome and click the puzzle piece icon next to the address bar.
- Choose Manage extensions.
- Turn off or remove extensions you do not use. Remove anything you do not recognise.
Free up space
Open the Files app and delete old downloads. Check Settings, then System preferences, then Storage management to see what is using the space. A nearly full Chromebook slows down. See our storage guide for more.
Update ChromeOS
Open Settings, then About ChromeOS, and click Check for updates. Restart when asked.
Check for unwanted apps and notifications
Remove Android apps or web apps you do not use. Look at Chrome's Settings, then Privacy and security, and be wary of sites sending lots of notifications.
Is the Chromebook just old?
Chromebooks with a very small amount of memory (2 GB or less) or old processors struggle with modern websites and video calls. If your Chromebook is more than five or six years old, this may be the reason. Read our guide on update expiry too.
When to get more help
Contact us if it is still slow after these steps, or if it freezes often. We can check whether a reset, a new device or different ways of working would suit you better. Do not use Powerwash without reading our guide and backing up first.