A slow computer is rarely slow because of its age. The usual causes are a full hard drive, too many programs starting automatically, an old mechanical hard drive, or malware. A lot of it you can fix yourself, and work done in your home is RUT-eligible.
Why does a computer get slow?
| Cause | Sign |
|---|---|
| Full hard drive | Less than 10 percent free space left |
| Too many startup programs | Slow startup, minutes before it is usable |
| Old mechanical hard drive | Everything is sluggish, the drive is audible |
| Too little memory | Slow with many tabs or programs open |
| Malware | Pop-ups, changed home page, high load for no reason |
| Dust and heat | Loud fan, the machine runs hot and throttles |
What you can try yourself first
Try this before booking help. It solves the problem surprisingly often.
- Restart the computer. Plenty of people have not restarted in weeks, only closed the lid.
- Free up disk space. Empty the recycle bin, delete old downloads, uninstall programs you do not use. Aim for at least 15 percent free.
- Turn off startup programs. Programs that launch automatically are the most common cause of a slow startup.
- Install updates for the operating system and the browser.
- Clean up the browser, removing extensions you do not recognise.
- Blow out the dust from fans and vents, especially on a laptop that runs hot.
If none of that helps, the problem is usually in the hardware or in malware.
Signs of a virus or malware
- Pop-up windows appearing when you are not even browsing
- The browser changing its home page or search engine on its own
- New programs or toolbars you did not install
- The computer running very hot or loud for no reason
- Antivirus software switched off and refusing to turn back on
- Friends receiving emails from you that you did not send
Warning about fake support
A particularly common scam is a pop-up saying your computer is infected and telling you to call a support number. The window can look official and may even play a sound.
Never call that number. Close the window, or close the browser entirely. Genuine warnings from your computer never ask you to phone anyone.
Never give BankID codes to anyone who calls or contacts you, whatever they claim. BankID is the Swedish electronic ID used for banking and public services, and handing over a code lets someone act as you.
Backup before reinstalling
Always. Reinstalling erases everything on the system drive.
Back up:
- Photos and videos
- Documents, including anything sitting loose on the desktop
- Email, if it is stored locally rather than in the cloud
- Bookmarks and saved passwords
- Licence keys for programs you paid for
Save it to an external drive or the cloud, not to another partition on the same computer. And the most important step, which almost everyone skips: open a few of the files from the copy to confirm it actually works. A backup you have not tested is not a backup.
Many companies offer backup as an add-on service, often a few hundred kronor.
When does new hardware help?
An SSD instead of a mechanical hard drive. If the computer still has a spinning drive, this is the single biggest improvement available. The difference is obvious immediately at startup and when programs open, and it often gives several extra years of life to a machine that felt hopeless.
More memory. Helps if the computer only slows down once you have many tabs or programs open at the same time. It does not help with a slow startup.
A new computer. Worth considering when the machine is genuinely old, when the operating system no longer receives security updates, or when the repair costs a large share of what a new one would. See setting up a new computer.
RUT deduction
Work carried out in your home is RUT-eligible: 50 percent off the labour cost (Skatteverket).
Spare parts such as an SSD, memory or a battery are materials and do not qualify. Note also that work carried out in a workshop rather than in your home normally does not qualify for RUT. See computer help cost.
Common questions
Why does a computer get slow?
A full hard drive, too many startup programs, an old mechanical hard drive, too little memory or malware. Age on its own is rarely the reason.
What can I try myself first?
Restart, uninstall unused programs, turn off startup programs, free up disk space and install updates.
How do I know if my computer has a virus?
Pop-ups, a changed home page, unknown programs, running hot for no reason, or antivirus that stopped working.
Do I need a backup before reinstalling?
Yes, always. And check that the copy actually opens.
Will an SSD fix it?
Often yes, if the computer has an old mechanical hard drive.
Does the repair qualify for RUT?
Yes, if the work is done in your home. 50 percent off the labour cost (Skatteverket).
Related guides: what home computer help covers, setting up a new computer and computer help cost. Back to Web & IT.