Table of Contents
- Your tablet’s speed may degrade with time, but that isn’t reason enough to go out and get a whole new one.
Tablets are convenient electronic gadgets that often have a longer lifespan than smartphones since they are used less frequently. However, even the most sturdy tablet has its limits, and you may notice performance drops in the future.
It can be frustrating working on a tablet or playing games (our current favourite is Roblox) on a tablet with slow speed.
The following article will discuss several potential solutions to your tablet’s poor performance.
Quick solution: check for updates, close unused apps, and remove unnecessary media. If everything else fails, resetting to factory settings may be the only option.
Why is my tablet running slowly?
An Android tablet’s performance often suffers from
Its storage space being exhausted due to the accumulation of media and software.
Too many Android widgets on the Home screen
The OS and software are both antiquated.
Selecting high-end graphics or resolution settings on an older or low-end Android device might cause media latency and buffering.
Is it still slow after trying these 17 fixes?
If your Android tablet is performing slowly or freezing often, try one of the solutions provided below.
Follow this list of fixes in the order in which they appear, from the simplest and fastest to the most complex.
Restart your android tablet
A simple method that may significantly boost your device’s efficiency.
Method 1: Hold down the power button
For several seconds, hold down the power button on your tablet.
The majority of electronic devices have the power button on the right side.
A menu including the “Power Off” option should become available after a short delay. There may be better choices, such as “Restart,” available on the most recent Android version.
Method 2: Hard reboot
Different from a reset or restart, a hard reboot (also known as a hard restart) may be performed even if the Android operating system is unable to provide the power-down option. When it comes to restarting, not all Android devices are created equal.
When you hold down the power button, many electronic gadgets restart. However, a restart might take anywhere from ten to twenty seconds.
To force the OS to react, try holding the power and volume up buttons simultaneously for up to 20 seconds. Thereafter, the screen will turn off completely.
Method 3: Remove the battery
You may force a reboot on your Android by removing the battery. This works only if your battery is detachable, but it’s good to know about as a backup plan just in case.
Uninstall unused Android Apps
Your Android tablet’s speed across the board will improve as more space is made available to install and execute applications.
We suggest the Files by Google app to help you find any unneeded applications on your tablet, even though most tablets already have a file manager installed.
Following installation, Files by Google will request access to your storage whereupon you will be prompted to give the programme permission. You’ll be able to launch the programme after giving it permission to access your storage.
Open the Files by Google app, and then tap the Clean icon in the app drawer at the bottom of the screen to identify and remove unneeded programmes from your tablet device. Advice on removing unneeded software is provided below.
- When this option is disabled, it implies you have not yet given the Files app permission to see your app’s activity data. To accomplish this, go to Settings, then Applications, then tap on Delete unneeded apps.
The app won’t work unless you grant it permission to access your information.
An app may be removed from your device by tapping the app’s icon and then the “uninstall” button. Choose a group of applications you want to remove, and do it all at once.
Remove widgets
Widgets on Android may have some practical use, but they also have the potential to make older Android tablets run more slowly.
Follow the steps below to remove widgets on your Android tablet:
Find the component that you want to delete. To access the widget(s) you need, you may need to swipe left or right across the Home screen’s several pages.
Just tap and hold the widget you wish to delete. A menu should appear when you choose it.
Select the Remove option. The launcher you’re using will determine whether the icon is a garbage can or a cross. Pulling the widget up with your finger will reveal one of the icons or a menu if you don’t see either. To get rid of a widget on your Home screen, just drag it and drop it on the trash can icon, then release your grip.
When removing several widgets from the Home screen, repeat the steps above for each widget.
Move App icons to a single screen
Gather all your app shortcuts in one screen. In Android, you may utilise several Home screens to arrange your apps and widgets but, having too many of them might lead to sluggish performance and freezing.
Remove background apps
Your Android tablet’s performance will degrade in proportion to the number of applications you have open in the background at any one time, even if they are all closed.
Select “Apps” > “Settings”
Choose the app you want to close, and then press the Force Stop button.
Android’s Configuration Menu: App, Authenticator, and Force Stop
Any remaining power or memory difficulties will return after using the app until you restart your tablet. Any starter applications will be relaunched, which may result in the same issues. If you’re having problems with battery life or memory, try uninstalling any unused programmes.
Important: When you restart your tablet, the application will start up again. Select Uninstall if you are sure you want to delete the app from your device.
Check minimum app requirements
See whether you meet the app’s minimal requirements.
It’s possible that your tablet isn’t powerful enough to run certain Android applications.
Typically, you can find these specifications on the app’s official website or on the app’s Google Play page.
Choose lower video resolution
Lower the video’s resolution if you need to.
Choose a lower resolution from the player’s options if you’re having trouble with buffering and freezing on your Android tablet.
Download from streaming apps
Netflix, Disney+, and many other Android applications allow users to save content to view later or to play continuously without interruption.
Remove old files from your device
To make more room on your tablet, move any stored material to an SD card or a cloud storage service like Dropbox, and then delete the local copies of those files.
The extra space can help speed up your tablet.
Delete media from old installed apps
Launch your media player of choice (Spotify, Netflix, Audible, etc.) and delete any unnecessary downloaded content.
Larger programs like Adobe Illustrator and 3D modelling applications can also store an eye-watering amount of data.
The amount of storage space these programmes need could surprise you.
Disable your VPN
Turn off your VPN for the time being.
To determine whether disabling the VPN would improve the peak performance of your Android tablet, try switching it off.
If this solution is successful, it’s time to choose a new VPN service.
Clear Caches
More RAM will be freed up, and your tablet may run faster if you clear cached data or clear data.
Go to the Apps section of the Settings menu.
Choose the programme whose data you want to delete.
Select Storage.
To delete all app data (clear cached data), choose Clear Cache. To completely remove all app-related data, choose Clear Data.
Update Android
Software updates to the Android operating system are available at no cost, and they typically fix bugs and enhance the tablet’s stability and performance.
Open the settings application. Its icon is a gear (you may need to go to the Applications folder first).
Select the Update Software option.
Select download and install.
Update your Apps
Many recent upgrades have included performance enhancements that should make your applications and device speedier.
Reset the system to default settings
If you want to restore your Android device to its original settings, you may do a factory reset.
This will remove everything on your device, including apps and data. You should save copies of any important documents or data before continuing.
This step is a last resort.
Follow the steps below to perform a full factory data reset:
Verify that there is adequate battery life or that the device can be charged before attempting a reset.
Launch the device’s settings app
Tap system
Tap “Reset” from the menu.
Tap erase all data (factory reset).
Select “Completely delete all of your data” by tapping on that option.
When asked, provide your PIN.
When you’re ready, choose “Erase all data” and put the tablet away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I speed up an old Android Tablet?
Removing unnecessary applications, clearing the device cache, moving all programme icons to a single Home screen, erasing Android widgets, and removing stored media files are the simplest methods to speed up an older Android tablet.
The Android tablet’s performance may be enhanced and latency and freezing can be reduced simply by updating the operating system and the applications to the most recent versions.
How do I fix an unresponsive touch screen on an Android tablet?
Try wiping the screen with a lint-free cloth if the touch functionality stops responding. Additionally, you might try using the device without any kind of screen protector or case to see if it makes a difference.
I have tried all of the above, why is my tablet still slow?
If your tablet is still running slowly after you’ve tried everything above, it’s probably time to call tech support.
It’s possible to get free service or even a new tablet if your tablet is still under warranty. However, check your warranty’s fine print thoroughly, since accidental damage or abuse is not likely to be covered.
If cared for properly, a tablet has a long lifespan.
Why is my tablet so slow all of a sudden?
Caches build up over time and may actually end up slowing down your tablet performance. If you want to clear away the cache of a specific app, go to its settings in the App Menu, or go to Settings > Storage > Cached data to clear the caches of all installed applications at once.
A well-used tablet may accumulate many unused applications over time.
Do Android tablets get slower with age?
Although it’s often believed that electronic devices, especially computers, tablets, and smartphones, lose performance as they age, no data supports this claim.
Can hot weather make a tablet run slow?
When travelling with a tablet in hot climates, try to keep your tablet cool. An overheated tablet poses a risk of data corruption or loss, and prolonged exposure to high temperatures may impair its performance. Battery leakage might be triggered by heat, putting your safety at risk.
Enjoyed this guide? Check out more tablet-related guides below:
Writer Graham Grieve brings two decades of technical communications experience to The Holy Tech coverage. Isaac contributes articles on laptops, tablets and PCs, alongside various software and hardware guides. Isaac is a former newspaper journalist who also worked in tech communications for some of the country’s biggest corporations. He also counsels and creates material for other technology publications and hosts a podcast.
Isaac’s in-depth reporting and knowledge of hardware and software issues helps The Holy Tech’s readers learn how to choose the right products, or solve tricky problems.