Laptop runs apps very slow and laggy at first then it's fixed after restarting. Why??

[Pai3]

The laptop should easily be able to run things smoothly but even when I run old games or basic 3D model files, it runs extremely laggy and impossible to work with. But it's fixed when i restart the laptop. What's going on? 

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Pai3 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

That’s got to be incredibly frustrating—especially when you know your system has the horsepower to handle much more. The fact that performance improves after a restart suggests something is bogging down your system over time, possibly related to memory, background processes, or GPU switching.

Step 1: Update Graphics Drivers

1. Update Graphics Drivers:
   • Nvidia GeForce Driver:
     • Visit the Nvidia driver support website: Nvidia GeForce Drivers.
     • Select your graphics card model and operating system.
     • Download and install the latest driver for your Nvidia GeForce GPU.
   • Intel GPU Driver (if applicable):
     • Visit the Intel driver support website: Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
     • Download and install the latest driver for your Intel GPU.

Step 2: Check Power Settings

Ensure that your laptop is set to run at high performance.

1. Adjust Power Settings:
   • Go to Settings > System > Power & battery.
   • Select High performance under Power mode.

Step 3: Manage Startup Programs

Excessive startup programs can consume system resources and affect performance.

1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Go to the Startup tab.
   • Disable unnecessary programs.

Step 4: Check for Background Processes

Background processes can consume system resources and cause lag.

1. Manage Background Processes:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Go to the Processes tab.
   • End tasks for unnecessary high-resource consuming processes.

Step 5: Perform System Maintenance

Regular system maintenance can help improve performance.

1. Disk Cleanup:
   • Type Disk Cleanup in the Windows search bar.
   • Run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files and clean up system files.
2. Defragment and Optimize Drives:
   • Type Defragment and Optimize Drives in the Windows search bar.
   • Run the tool to optimize your drives.

Step 6: Monitor System Performance

Check system performance and resource usage.

1. Performance Monitoring:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Go to the Performance tab.
   • Monitor CPU, Memory, and Disk usage.

Step 7: Update Windows

Make sure that your Windows operating system is up to date.

1. Check for Updates:
   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
   • Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

Step 8: Reinstall Problematic Software

Reinstall the games or software causing issues to ensure they are correctly installed.

1. Reinstall Software:
   • Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
   • Uninstall the problematic software.
   • Reinstall the software from the original source.

Step 9: Perform Hardware Diagnostics

Run hardware diagnostics to check for any issues with your laptop's components.

1. HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows:
   • In Windows, search for and open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows.
   • Click System Tests to perform comprehensive hardware diagnostics.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye