3 year old HP Laptop started being slow.

[t4llarin]

Yesterday, out of the blue, my laptop began slowing down and experiencing lag. I've attempted various solutions such as restarting and updating the laptop, and I've even checked the task manager for any anomalies, but everything appeared normal. Additionally, I ran a malware test, which came back clean. Despite trying all the troubleshooting steps I know, the issue persists. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. 

[Alden4]

Hi @t4llarin,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you've already taken some great steps in troubleshooting the issue with your HP Pavilion Gaming laptop. Since you've checked for malware and ensured that your system is up to date, there are a few more things you could try.

• Check for Background Processes: Even if the Task Manager doesn't show anything suspicious, there might still be background processes hogging resources. Look for any applications or processes that are using a lot of CPU, memory, or disk.
• Update Drivers: Make sure all your device drivers are up to date, especially graphics and chipset drivers. Sometimes outdated drivers can cause performance issues.
• Disk Cleanup and Defragmentation: Run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files and unnecessary system files. Also, consider defragmenting your hard drive if it's a traditional HDD (not necessary for SSDs).
• Check for Overheating: Overheating can cause performance issues. Make sure your laptop's vents are clear of dust and debris, and consider using a laptop cooling pad to help with airflow.
• Check Power Settings: Sometimes, power-saving settings can affect performance. Make sure your laptop is set to High-Performance mode when plugged in.
• Run Hardware Diagnostics: HP laptops often come with built-in hardware diagnostics tools. You can run these tests to check for any hardware issues.
• Reset Windows: If nothing else works, you could consider resetting Windows to its factory settings. This will reinstall Windows while keeping your personal files intact. Make sure to back up any important data before doing this.

If none of these solutions work, it's possible that there might be a hardware issue with your laptop.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support