Laptop running slow when plugged in but running fast when unplugged

[X_DCR_X]

The laptop I am using is running slow when plugged in but running fast when unplugged. The internet speeds are also fast when unplugged but slow when plugged in

[Gaya1239]

Hi @ X_DCR_X,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your HP Pavilion Gaming laptop is running slow when plugged in but runs faster when unplugged, and you're also experiencing slower internet speeds when plugged in, there are several potential causes for these issues. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Power Settings:

• Check the power settings on your laptop. When plugged in, some power plans may limit the performance of the laptop to conserve energy. Make sure your power plan is set to "High Performance" when plugged in.
• To do this on Windows, right-click on the battery icon in the system tray, select "Power Options," and choose "High performance."

2. Battery Health and Charging:

• Ensure that your laptop's battery is in good health. If the battery is deteriorating, it might affect the laptop's performance when plugged in.
• Check if there are any issues with the laptop's power adapter or charging cable.

3. Background Processes:

• Check for background processes that might be consuming resources. Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows) and review running processes. Close any unnecessary applications or processes.

4. Drivers and Updates:

• Ensure that your graphics drivers, chipset drivers, and other essential drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can lead to performance issues.
• Check for Windows updates and install any pending updates.

5. Power Plan Customization:

• Customize the power plan settings to your preference. You can adjust advanced settings within the power plan to optimize performance when plugged in.

6. Network Settings:

• Check your network settings, especially if the internet speed is affected when plugged in. Make sure that your network adapter drivers are up to date.
• Try using a different Ethernet cable or USB-to-Ethernet adapter if you are connecting via a wired connection.

7. BIOS/UEFI Update:

• Check if there's a BIOS or UEFI firmware update available for your laptop. Sometimes, updates can improve system stability and performance.

8. Temperature Monitoring:

• High temperatures can also affect performance. Use software to monitor the temperature of your CPU and GPU. If temperatures are too high, it could be a cooling issue.

9. Malware and Antivirus:

• Run a malware scan to ensure that your laptop is not infected. Malware can significantly impact performance.
• Check if your antivirus software is causing any conflicts. You may need to adjust its settings or try temporarily disabling it for testing purposes.

10. Reset Power Plans:

• If you've made changes to power plans, try resetting them to default settings and see if it resolves the issue.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

I am an HP Employee.