A slow computer usually comes down to a handful of common causes. Work through this checklist in order. Most people find the problem in the first two or three steps.
1. Restart properly
Save your work and choose Restart (not Shut down, which on Windows doesn't fully clear things out). See restart and install updates for why this matters. If your computer hasn't been restarted in a week or more, this alone often fixes it.
2. Close what you aren't using
Every open app and browser tab uses memory. Dozens of tabs, several Office files and a Teams call at once can slow down even a newer laptop.
- Close browser tabs you don't need, or bookmark them for later.
- Quit apps completely rather than leaving them minimised.
3. See what's using your computer
Windows
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- On the Processes tab, select the CPU or Memory column to sort by usage.
- If an app you recognise is using a lot and isn't responding, select it and choose End task. Unsaved work in that app will be lost.
macOS
- Press Cmd + Space, type Activity Monitor and press Return.
- Check the CPU and Memory tabs to see what's using the most.
- To close a stuck app, select it, then select the Stop button (the X at the top) and choose Quit.
Only close apps you recognise. Don't end system processes or security software, as this can cause more problems.
4. Check disk space and updates
A nearly full drive slows everything down.
- Windows: open Settings > System > Storage.
- macOS: open System Settings > General > Storage.
If you have less than about 10% free, empty your Recycle Bin or Bin and clear out your Downloads folder. Files stored in OneDrive can be set to online-only to free up space. While you're there, check for pending updates and install them.
5. Is it the computer or the connection?
If only websites, Teams or SharePoint are slow but other apps are fine, the problem is probably your internet connection rather than your computer. Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router, using a network cable, or checking whether colleagues on the same network have the same issue. You can also check service status for known Microsoft 365 problems.
Still stuck?
Log a ticket and tell us when the slowness started, whether it's all the time or only in certain apps, what you've already tried, and whether you're in the office or at home. If you can't work at all, call 1300 079 636.