How to Speed Up a Slow ASUS Laptop in 2026

Your ASUS laptop was quick when you first got it. Now it stutters, freezes, or takes an age just to open Chrome. Sound familiar? You are not alone, and more importantly, you do not need to splash out on a brand-new machine.

This guide will walk you through exactly what is causing the slowdown and how to fix it. Whether you have an ASUS VivoBook, ZenBook, TUF Gaming, or ROG, there is something here for you.

 

Why Is Your ASUS Laptop Running Slow?

Before throwing solutions at the problem, it helps to know what you are actually dealing with. Here are the most common culprits:

Cause	What It Means	How Common?
Too many startup apps	Apps launching at boot hog CPU and RAM	Very common
Thermal throttling	Laptop overheats and slows the CPU to cool down	Very common
HDD (not SSD)	Old spinning hard drive is the bottleneck	Common in older models
Low RAM	Not enough memory for your workload	Common
Bloatware	Pre-installed software running in the background	Common
Outdated drivers/BIOS	Software bugs causing performance issues	Often overlooked
Full or fragmented storage	SSD above 85% capacity noticeably slows down	Common
Malware	Malicious programmes draining resources	Less common but serious

 

Fix 1: Sort Out Your Startup Apps

This is the first thing to check. When your ASUS laptop boots up, dozens of apps may be trying to launch all at once. That eats through your CPU and RAM before you have even opened a browser tab.

On average, disabling unnecessary startup apps can cut boot times by 30 to 50%.

Here is how to do it:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager

• Click on the Startup Apps tab

• Right-click anything you do not need immediately (Spotify, OneDrive, Teams, Discord, etc.) and select Disable

• Restart your laptop and notice the difference

If you have the MyASUS app installed, it has a built-in Optimise Boot tool that suggests which apps are safe to delay or disable. It is a good shout if you want a guided experience.

 

Fix 2: Check What Is Eating Your CPU and RAM

Your laptop might be struggling because something is silently hammering your resources in the background. It could be Windows Update, antivirus scanning, or a rogue process.

• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)

• Click the CPU or Memory column header to sort by usage

• Look for anything using unusually high resources

• Right-click any suspicious process and select End Task (be careful not to close essential Windows processes)

Tip: If Windows Update is running in the background, your laptop will be slow until it finishes. Check Settings > Windows Update and let it complete before doing anything resource-heavy.

 

Fix 3: Use MyASUS to Change Your Performance Mode

This one is specific to ASUS and it is massively underused. ASUS laptops come with different performance profiles, and there is a decent chance yours is set to a power-saving or balanced mode that is deliberately limiting your CPU speed.

Here is how to change it:

• Open the MyASUS app (search for it in the Start menu)

• Go to Device Settings

• Look for the fan or performance profile setting

• Switch from Whisper or Standard mode to Performance or Full-speed mode

Profile	Best For	What It Does
Whisper	Battery life, light tasks	Limits CPU speed, quiet fans
Standard / Balanced	Everyday use	Balanced performance and heat
Performance	Demanding work, multitasking	Higher clock speeds, faster fans
Full-speed (2024/2025 models)	Gaming, video editing	Maximum sustained performance

For ROG and TUF Gaming models: Use Armoury Crate or G-Helper to access Turbo mode, which can unlock additional CPU and GPU headroom. G-Helper is a lightweight third-party alternative to Armoury Crate that many users prefer for its clean interface and finer control over fan curves.

 

Fix 4: Tackle Thermal Throttling

Thermal throttling is when your laptop's processor deliberately slows itself down to prevent overheating. It is one of the most common and frustrating causes of slowdown, especially for ASUS gaming laptops.

Signs you have a thermal throttling problem:

• Laptop runs fine for a few minutes then suddenly becomes sluggish

• FPS drops sharply during gaming

• Fan spins loudly then the laptop slows down

• CPU frequency drops to 0.8 GHz or lower under load

What to do about it:

• Clean the vents: Dust build-up is the number one cause of overheating. Use a can of compressed air (roughly £6 to £10 from Amazon or Argos) to blast dust out of the vents every three to six months. Make sure the laptop is powered off first.

• Use it on a hard, flat surface: Using your ASUS on a bed, sofa, or cushion blocks the air vents. Always use it on a desk or invest in a laptop cooling pad (available from around £15 to £30 in the UK).

• Replace the thermal paste: If your laptop is three or more years old, the thermal paste between the CPU/GPU and heatsink may have dried out. Replacing it can drop temperatures by 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. This is a more involved fix; if you are not confident, a local repair shop can do it for around £30 to £60.

• Adjust fan curves in G-Helper: For ROG and TUF models, G-Helper lets you set custom fan curves so the fans ramp up earlier before temperatures get too high.

 

Fix 5: Update Drivers and BIOS

Outdated drivers and firmware are a surprisingly common cause of poor performance. ASUS regularly releases updates that fix bugs, improve power management, and squeeze better performance out of the hardware.

• Open MyASUS and check the Update section for pending driver updates

• Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for optional updates, which often include chipset and graphics drivers

• For NVIDIA graphics (ROG, TUF), open GeForce Experience to update GPU drivers

• For AMD graphics, use AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition

BIOS updates: These carry more risk but can genuinely fix performance and stability issues. Only update BIOS via the official ASUS support page (asus.com/support) or through the MyASUS Update Hub. Never install a BIOS update from a third-party site.

 

Fix 6: Upgrade from HDD to SSD

If your ASUS laptop still uses a traditional spinning hard drive (HDD), this single upgrade will make it feel like a completely different machine. A SATA SSD is around four times faster than a 5,400 RPM HDD. A PCIe NVMe SSD is even quicker.

Storage Type	Typical Read Speed	Approximate UK Cost (1TB)
HDD (5,400 RPM)	80 to 120 MB/s	Already installed (older laptops)
SATA SSD	500 to 600 MB/s	£45 to £65
PCIe Gen 3 NVMe SSD	3,000 to 3,500 MB/s	£55 to £80
PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD	5,000 to 7,000 MB/s	£70 to £110

Not sure which SSD fits your ASUS model? Check the ASUS support page for your specific model, or use sites like Crucial's compatibility tool. Most modern ASUS VivoBooks and ZenBooks use an M.2 NVMe slot. You can browse compatible SSDs on Laptop Outlet and we can help you find the right fit.

 

Fix 7: Upgrade or Free Up RAM

When your laptop runs out of physical RAM, it starts using a portion of the SSD as a slow virtual substitute. This is called the page file, and it is significantly slower than real RAM.

Check your RAM usage right now: Open Task Manager, click Performance, then Memory. If you are regularly sitting above 80% memory usage, you need more RAM.

• 8GB RAM: Fine for light use, struggles with multitasking or browser-heavy workloads

• 16GB RAM: The sweet spot for most users in 2026

• 32GB RAM: Recommended for video editing, 3D work, or heavy gaming

Many ASUS VivoBook and ZenBook models allow RAM upgrades, although some newer slim designs have soldered RAM that cannot be changed. Check your model's specs before buying.

If upgrading is not an option, you can squeeze more out of what you have:

• Close browser tabs you are not using (each tab uses RAM)

• Limit Chrome or Edge extensions

• End background processes in Task Manager that are consuming memory

 

Fix 8: Remove Bloatware and Clean Up Storage

Brand-new ASUS laptops often come loaded with pre-installed software that runs quietly in the background, eating CPU cycles and RAM. This includes trial antivirus software, promotional apps, and manufacturer utilities you will never use.

How to remove bloatware:

• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps

• Sort by size or install date

• Uninstall anything you do not recognise or use (McAfee trials, MyAsus add-ons you do not need, etc.)

• Be cautious with ASUS system tools, some are needed for keyboard shortcuts and battery management

Free up storage:

• Open Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense and run it

• Delete files from the Downloads folder

• Empty the Recycle Bin

• Uninstall games or apps you no longer play

Keep your SSD below 85% capacity. Once an SSD fills up, write speeds drop noticeably. If you are running low, consider an external SSD or cloud storage for files you do not access daily.

 

Fix 9: Run a Malware Scan

Malware and adware can silently hog your CPU, RAM, and network connection. If your laptop has slowed down suddenly for no obvious reason, it is worth running a scan.

• Windows Defender (built into Windows 11) is solid for everyday protection. Run a full scan via Windows Security > Virus and threat protection

• Malwarebytes Free is worth running alongside it as a second opinion scanner

• Remove any threats found and restart your laptop

Note: If you have multiple antivirus programmes running at the same time, they can conflict and slow your system down. Stick to one real-time antivirus and use on-demand scanners for occasional checks.

 

Fix 10: Check Your Power Settings

If your ASUS is running on battery without a charger plugged in, Windows may be limiting performance to save power. This is by design, but it can feel painfully slow.

• Plug in your charger when doing demanding tasks

• Go to Settings > System > Power and check your Power Mode is set to Best Performance or Balanced (not Best Power Efficiency)

• ASUS laptops also recommend connecting the AC adapter for the best performance experience, so keep it plugged in during heavy use

 

Fix 11: Consider a Fresh Windows Install

If you have tried everything above and your laptop is still sluggish, a clean Windows reinstall is often the most effective reset. It removes years of accumulated software, broken registry entries, and junk files.

• Back up your files to an external drive or OneDrive first

• Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC

• Choose Remove everything for the cleanest result

• Reinstall only the apps and drivers you actually need

This takes an hour or two but can genuinely feel like getting a new laptop. Many people are surprised by how much of a difference it makes.

 

 

Revive Your ASUS Performance Today

A slow ASUS laptop is almost always fixable without spending a fortune. Start with the free software fixes like disabling startup apps, changing your performance profile, and updating drivers. Then, if the hardware is limiting you, an SSD or RAM upgrade can completely transform your machine for well under £100.

If you are looking for a refurbished ASUS laptop that is already optimised and ready to go, browse the range at Laptop Outlet. All our laptops are tested, graded, and ready to use from day one.

 

 

A Few Things to Note...

Why is my brand-new ASUS laptop already slow?

Bloatware and too many startup apps are usually responsible. Disable unnecessary startup items in Task Manager and uninstall pre-installed trial software to see an immediate improvement.

Does ASUS MyASUS actually help with performance?

Yes. MyASUS lets you switch performance profiles, optimise startup apps, and manage driver updates, all from one place. It is free and pre-installed on most ASUS laptops.

How do I know if thermal throttling is slowing my laptop?

Use HWiNFO64 (free tool) to monitor CPU frequency and temperature under load. If speed drops suddenly at high temps, throttling is occurring.

Can I upgrade the RAM in my ASUS VivoBook or ZenBook?

It depends on the model. Some have upgradeable RAM slots; others have it soldered to the motherboard. Check your model's official specs on the ASUS support website before purchasing.

What is the best SSD for an ASUS laptop in the UK?

For most users, a PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD from brands like Crucial, Kingston, or Samsung offers excellent value. Expect to pay £55 to £110 for a 1TB drive.

Is G-Helper better than Armoury Crate for ROG laptops?

Many users prefer G-Helper as it is lighter and more straightforward. It controls fan curves, performance modes, and GPU switching without the bloat of Armoury Crate.

Will a factory reset speed up my ASUS laptop?

Yes, a clean Windows reinstall removes accumulated junk and is one of the most effective fixes for a very slow or unstable laptop. Back up your data first.

How often should I clean the vents on my ASUS laptop?

Every three to six months is a good rule of thumb, or more frequently if you use it in dusty environments or on soft surfaces like beds and sofas.

 

Read More:

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