As time goes by, every Android device starts to experience a decrease in speed. It’s only natural to wonder why your tablet is slowing down and how to optimize it. In the following paragraphs, we will provide suggestions on how to improve your device’s performance.
Why can the tablet slow down
- hardware malfunctions;
- system issues.
The tablet often experiences malfunctions and freezing due to system failures. However, it is important to identify whether the problem is caused by hardware issues before attempting to fix them. One way to do this is to check the device’s temperature. If the tablet becomes sluggish and freezes shortly after use, and you notice significant heating, then the problem could be an overheating graphics chip or processor. In such cases, it is recommended to seek assistance from a service center as it may not be possible to resolve the issue independently.
The other possibility is mechanical damage. If the device has been hit or dropped, it may start to malfunction, including freezing, while still functioning. The solution is the same – take it to a service center for repairs.
Another possibility is connected external devices. If issues started occurring after connecting new devices – such as a mouse, printer, modem, or even a memory card – it is possible that the problem lies with those devices. It is necessary to disconnect the accessory or device and check if the problem persists or resolves on its own.
System malfunctions – a higher likelihood of breakdown. There can be several possibilities here: viruses, memory overflow, incorrect application operation, and leftover junk after uninstalling software. If the root cause is in the system’s functioning, it is possible to resolve it independently. Once the reason for the tablet’s slowdown became apparent and it is undoubtedly not due to mechanical (hardware) failure, you should perform a set of procedures outlined below.
Update the system
If the tablet gets damaged, especially if it’s quite old, it is possible that the issue lies with the operating system version. It is advisable to verify if there are any recent Android updates available for the device and if so, go ahead and update the system. To accomplish this, navigate to the device settings and locate the option labeled "about the tablet" or "about the device". Within that menu, you will find a submenu called "system update". Once activated, the device will automatically search for any new system versions and install them accordingly.
It is crucial to note that software updates do not guarantee improved performance, and occasionally, a significant decrease in device speed may occur following an update. To rectify this situation, it is necessary to revert the system back to its previous state.
Before updating the operating system, it is advisable to create a backup copy, as it will serve as a safety net in case any issues arise. By having a backup, you can easily revert back to a stable version of the OS. However, if a backup was not made, the only option left is to reset the device to its factory settings. It is important to note that this method may result in the deletion of settings and user files. Different brands offer different options for resetting the device, with some allowing the choice to save user data while others do not. Regardless of the brand, there are no alternative methods to revert the device to a previous working version. Therefore, the necessary course of action should be determined based on the specific brand. Some users may be fortunate enough to save their important data and revert back to the old OS, while others may have to make the sacrifice and lose their data.
Remove software and files on your own
If updating the system didn’t solve the problem, you might want to consider cleaning your device from unnecessary files. There are a few options to clean your tablet and prevent it from slowing down: you can do it manually or use specialized software.
Manual cleaning is effective because it allows the user to delete data that might not be caught by specialized apps. Additionally, the device owner can review the files beforehand to make sure they’re not needed. Every brand, whether it’s Samsung, Asus, or a lesser-known Chinese device, comes with a built-in file manager. This file manager allows you to thoroughly go through your memory and delete anything that’s not necessary. However, not every user knows which files are necessary and which aren’t.
A helpful suggestion! When dealing with file managers, it is advised to exclusively remove files that are undoubtedly not crucial for the proper functioning of the operating system – such as photos, videos, and music.
It’s a valid question to ask why use a special manager when files are already displayed in the gallery. The reason is that not all files are shown in the gallery. For example, let’s say a photo is received on Viber and then forwarded to WhatsApp and Telegram. That means the same photo will be stored in three different places. Messengers, in general, are considered to be one of the "messiest" applications. Telegram, for instance, keeps photos and videos even if the user only viewed them in chats, not in private conversations. Even if the messenger is uninstalled, the data folder will still remain and can impact the device’s performance.
Therefore, in the file manager, proceed sequentially to the directories containing the titles of messaging applications and expunge superfluous files from the Media subfolders. Inside this directory, you will find several more directories, of which the user is concerned with Images, Video, and Voices Note (voice messages). Inspect these directories individually and delete any extraneous content. Similarly, navigate to the directories storing videos, music, and potentially books, and eliminate any files that are no longer required.
When it comes to manual cleaning, the second step is to eliminate unnecessary applications. The process may vary depending on the manufacturer. For certain brands, you can remove an application by simply dragging its icon to the top of the screen, where a trash can icon and the option to "delete application" will appear.
Tip! For a more visual display of the installed software, you can access the device settings and choose the "applications" option, which allows you to determine which apps are being used and which are not.
Although deleting data manually is a good way to free up memory on your device, it may not always solve the problem if your tablet is sluggish. In such cases, using specialized software can be a more effective solution.
Instead of manually cleaning your tablet, you can use specialized software to delete data that the user can’t access but don’t need. One of the most popular and helpful applications for this purpose is CCleaner. It is well-known among desktop PC users and offers a wide range of functionality for mobile devices as well. With CCleaner, you can not only remove unnecessary applications but also clean the registry and eliminate leftover garbage from previously deleted apps.
Once the installation process is complete, the user will be prompted to agree to either use the free version or upgrade to the paid version. The main difference between the two versions is the presence or absence of advertising offers. Once the user has made their selection, they can proceed by clicking on the "analyze" button, which will initiate a comprehensive memory scan. As a result, a list of files that are deemed unnecessary or can be safely deleted will be displayed. The program automatically marks system trash for deletion, while user files are listed individually. The user can choose to tick the unnecessary files from this list. In addition, by clicking on the menu button located in the top left corner, the user will have access to a range of additional options, including uninstalling applications, activating an assistant for automatic RAM cleaning, and optimizing the system.
It is worth noting that CCleaner is currently considered the most effective application for accelerating system performance.
Virus elimination
The Android operating system is renowned for its open-source nature, allowing developers from all over the world to create and innovate. While this undoubtedly has its benefits, it also presents a major drawback: the threat of viruses. At times, these malicious programs can wreak havoc on a device, causing disruptions and glitches that were previously unheard of.
To eliminate viruses, you will need to install an antivirus software. Effective options include Kaspersky and Nod 32, although these are paid programs that offer a free trial period of one month. If you only need to clean your system once, you can install one of them, clean the system, and then uninstall it afterwards. It is recommended to purchase an annual subscription, as this will provide ongoing protection against viruses.
Among the available free software options, 360 Security and Dr.Web light stand out. To use them, simply install the application on your device and agree to the terms of use. A full system scan will then be required, which may take some time to complete.
Closing background processors
Frequently, simply cleaning your tablet may not be sufficient to prevent it from experiencing a slowdown. In the case of a less powerful device, disabling background applications can be helpful. To do this, you will need to navigate to the settings of the device and access the applications menu. Within this menu, you will find a section titled "permissions". Within this section, the user should locate the "autorun" option and disable any applications that are not required to run continuously. If needed, these applications can always be manually launched, without unnecessarily consuming the device’s RAM.
The CCleaner app offers similar functionality. Additionally, it allows you to temporarily disable software by accessing the list of all applications and manually disabling any unnecessary ones. However, keep in mind that if the user decides to use any of the disabled applications, they will resume working in the background, necessitating another round of forced disabling.
Sometimes, it happens that certain applications cannot be uninstalled. In such cases, you will need to enter safe mode. Safe mode only launches system applications by default, disabling any user-installed or accidentally downloaded apps.
Note! The process of entering safe mode may vary between different manufacturers. Additionally, not all manufacturers provide the option to enter safe mode directly, in which case you can use the previously mentioned CCleaner.
To enter safe mode, follow these steps:
-
- Press and hold the physical power button until the option "turn off the device" appears.
- The second option is similar to the first, but instead of "turning off," press and hold "reboot".
- Power off the tablet and then power it back on, when the brand logo shows up, press both volume buttons simultaneously.
- For earlier Samsung tablets, after the logo appears, you will need to hold down the "home" button.
If the device slows down on the Internet
If the YouTube app on your tablet is running slowly or if webpages are taking a long time to load, the issue may be due to a weak mobile Internet connection or excessive data usage by background processes, such as software updates. The most logical solution would be to switch to a faster Internet connection. However, if that does not resolve the issue, you can try adjusting the video quality to a lower setting for smoother playback. Additionally, many web browsers offer features to speed up page loading. For example, Opera has a Turbo mode that compresses data, and in Chrome, you can enable the "save traffic" option in settings. By utilizing these features, you can enhance your overall Internet browsing experience.
Reset settings
If none of the solutions mentioned above have made any difference, the only option left is to perform a system reset. The initial method was explained in the "system update" section – accessible through the Android settings. If that didn’t yield any results, the next step is to access the service mode recovery by pressing the physical buttons on the tablet simultaneously during startup. Every manufacturer has their own unique button combinations, so it’s advisable to look them up for each specific brand. Once in the recovery menu, locate the "Wipedata/Factoryreset" option and proceed to reboot the device afterwards.
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