How to Speed Up a Chromebook

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

How to Resolve Performance Issues on a Chromebook

Chromebooks are known for their speed and efficiency, but over time, you may encounter performance issues that can affect their functionality. This comprehensive guide will help you identify, troubleshoot, and resolve common performance problems on your Chromebook.

1. Understanding Common Performance Issues:

Identify common performance problems like slow startup, lag, or freezing.

Determine if the issue is specific to certain apps or system-wide.

2. Checking System Resources:

Press Shift + Esc to open the Chrome Task Manager.

Monitor CPU, memory, and network usage to identify resource-heavy tasks or apps.

3. Closing Unnecessary Tabs and Apps:

Close tabs and apps that you are not actively using to free up system resources.

4. Clearing Browser Cache and Cookies:

Clear browser cache and cookies to improve browser performance:

Click the three-dot menu in Chrome > More tools > Clear browsing data.

5. Managing Chrome Extensions:

Disable or remove unnecessary Chrome extensions that may slow down your browsing experience.

6. Updating Chrome OS:

Ensure you have the latest Chrome OS version:

Click the clock > Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for Updates.

7. Adjusting Power Settings:

Optimize power settings to improve performance:

Click the clock > Settings > Display > Screen timeout, and choose a shorter time.

8. Running Chromebook Diagnostics:

Access Chromebook diagnostic tools to identify and troubleshoot performance issues:

Press Esc + Refresh + Power, then follow the on-screen instructions.

9. Freeing Up Storage Space:

Remove unnecessary files and apps to free up storage space:

Click the clock > Settings > Storage > Free up space.

10. Resetting Chromebook to Factory Settings (Powerwash):

As a last resort, perform a Powerwash to reset your Chromebook to factory settings. Backup your data first:

Click the clock > Settings > Advanced > Reset settings > Powerwash.

By following this comprehensive guide, you should be equipped to identify and troubleshoot common performance issues on your Chromebook. Regular maintenance and timely problem-solving can help you keep your Chromebook running smoothly, ensuring a faster and more efficient computing experience. Enjoy using your Chromebook to its full potential.

Contact Support.Com

If you are still having trouble, refer to the Step-By-Step Guide below, or Contact Support.Com for Personalized Assistance.

1. Introduction

Problems with the performance of your Chromebook can be very frustrating. This guide will take you through the steps to help resolve these problems.

2. Restart

There are 2 main ways to restart your Chromebook. The first method is preferred.

Shut Down From Menus

Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.

Select the Power symbol. Your Chromebook will turn off.

Screenshot of the user menu highlighting the power button in the center bottom

Wait 10 seconds.
Push the Power Button on your Chromebook to turn it back on.

Shut Down With Hardware

Push and hold the Power Button on your keyboard for 10 seconds.
Wait 10 seconds.
Push the Power Button on your Chromebook to turn it back on.

3. Clear Cache

Select your profile picture in the lower-right corner.

Select Settings.

Screenshot of the user menu with settings highlighted in the bottom left corner

Scroll to the very bottom and select Advanced.

Screenshot of the bottom of settings with advanced highlighted

Continue to scroll down and select Clear browsing data.

screenshot of settings with clear browsing data highlighted

Select Advanced at the top.

screenshot of clear browsing data with advanced tab highlighted

For Time range, select All time.

screenshot of clear browsing data with time range highlighted

Scroll down, and make sure there is a check mark for Hosted app data. Then select Clear data.

screenshot of clear browsing data with hosted app data and clear data button highlighted

4. Check Downloads Folder

Select the Apps menu in the bottom-left corner.

Select All Apps > Files.

Apps list with all apps and files highlighted

Select Downloads on the left. These are the only files stored on your Chromebook.

You can open a file by double-clicking on it.
You can copy files to your Google Drive by dragging them to My Drive on the left.
You can copy files to external storage by dragging them to the icon for that external storage on the left.
You can delete them by highlighting a file, then pushing the Delete key on your keyboard, or selecting the Trash icon at the top.

5. Update

Your Chromebook automatically checks for updates on startup. This step will walk you through checking manually.

Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.

Select Settings.

Select the Menu in the top-left.

Top left corner of the settings screen with the menu icon highlighted.

Select About Chrome OS or About Chromium OS on the bottom left of the menu.

Settings submenu with the about option highlighted at the bottom.

Select Check For Updates.

About screen with check for updates highlighted.

If your device is up-to-date, it will show that here.

About screen with the up to date message highlighted.

If there is an update pending, you will be asked to reboot. Choose to reboot, and your device will reboot and update on its own.

6. Check Extensions

Open Google Chrome.

Select the Menu icon in the top-right corner.

Select More tools > Extensions.

screenshot of the Chrome menu with more tools then extensions highlighted

Look through the extensions listed, make sure you recognize and use them. If you see any you do not use or want, select the Trash Can to remove it.