Chromebooks, particularly in the budget segment, are known for their streamlined design and lightweight operating system. However, many Chromebooks provided by schools or workplaces come with minimal hardware capabilities and may start to feel sluggish over time. This guide walks you through actionable steps to improve your Chromebook’s speed and overall performance. From simple fixes to advanced optimizations, we’ll cover everything you need to keep your Chromebook running smoothly.
Table of Contents
- Check the Task Manager
- Update the Chrome OS to Latest Version
- Restart the Chromebook
- Clean Up Your Chromebook Storage
- Uninstall Less Used Apps
- Replace Linux and Android Apps with Web Apps
- Update All Apps to the Latest Version
- Use Fewer Extensions
- Remove Browsing History and Cache
- Preload Pages Before Clicking
- Control Cache Better
- Limit the Number of Tabs and Apps
- Avoid Power-Hungry Features
- Powerwash the Chromebook
1. Check the Task Manager
Open Task Manager on your Chromebook by pressing Search + ESC. This will display all running applications, allowing you to see memory, CPU usage, and network usage for each. If you notice an app or process consuming too many resources, select it and click End Process to close it.
2. Update the Chrome OS to Latest Version
Google regularly updates Chrome OS, often fixing bugs and improving performance. To check for updates, go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for updates. If a new update is available, installing it might address performance issues.
3. Restart the Chromebook
If updates aren’t available, a quick restart can resolve many common issues. To restart, click on the clock in the bottom-right corner, select the power icon, and power off. Then press the power button to turn it back on.
4. Clean Up Your Chromebook Storage
Low storage can slow down your Chromebook. Go to Settings > Device > Storage Management to view available storage. If space is low, delete unneeded files in the Files app to free up memory.
5. Uninstall Less Used Apps
Some apps, particularly Android and Linux ones, consume a lot of space. To remove an app, right-click it in the app drawer and select Uninstall.
6. Replace Linux and Android Apps with Web Apps
Web apps take up less space than Android or Linux apps, which can help keep your Chromebook light. Many popular apps have web versions you can use instead of installing Android or Linux applications.
7. Update All Apps to the Latest Version
Open the Play Store, tap your Profile icon, and go to Manage apps and devices > Manage > Updates available to check for updates for any Android apps.
8. Use Fewer Extensions
Extensions can slow down Chrome’s performance, so use only essential ones. To remove unused extensions, click the Extensions icon in the Chrome toolbar, select the three-dot menu next to an extension, and click Remove from Chrome.
9. Remove Browsing History and Cache
Over time, cached data can occupy space, slowing your device. Open Chrome settings > Security and Privacy > Clear browsing data and set the time range to All time to clear the data.
10. Preload Pages Before Clicking
For faster browsing, try preloading pages with a Chrome extension like Faster Web. This may be particularly useful for Chromebooks with higher resources.
11. Control Cache Better
To enhance your browsing experience, you can use extensions like Speed up Browsing, which download more cache for commonly used elements. This may improve website loading times.
12. Limit the Number of Tabs and Apps
Running too many tabs and apps simultaneously can strain your Chromebook. Keep open tabs to a minimum to maintain smoother performance.
13. Avoid Power-Hungry Features
Chrome OS features like Virtual Desks and the Linux environment require extra resources. Disabling these features on budget Chromebooks may improve performance.
14. Powerwash the Chromebook
If issues persist, reset your Chromebook using Powerwash. This will remove all data and restore the device to its original state. Before resetting, make sure to back up any important files as Powerwash does not retain local data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Will Powerwash delete all my files on my Chromebook?
Yes, Powerwash will reset your Chromebook to factory settings. Make sure to back up important files before proceeding.
Q2. How often should I update Chrome OS?
Chrome OS updates automatically, but you can check manually every few weeks for optimal performance.
Q3. Do Android and Linux apps slow down my Chromebook?
Yes, Android and Linux apps can consume more resources than web apps, impacting speed, especially on budget Chromebooks.
Q4. What’s the easiest way to free up storage?
Uninstall unused apps and remove unnecessary files via the Files app.
Q5. How can I avoid slow performance due to low storage?
Monitor your storage through Settings > Device > Storage Management and regularly clear browsing data and remove unused files.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can significantly enhance your Chromebook’s speed and efficiency. Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, these tips will help you keep your Chromebook running smoothly and ready for any task.