Fixing Chromebook Performance & Freezing Problems with Simple Steps

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as needing to get something done on your Chromebook, only for it to suddenly freeze, stutter, or crawl to a halt. You chose a Chromebook for its speed, simplicity, and reliability, so when it starts misbehaving, it can feel like a betrayal. The good news is that most instances of fixing Chromebook performance & freezing problems are not signs of a broken device, but rather a cry for help from an overworked system.
Instead of panicking, think of it as a clear signal that your device needs a little TLC. Often, these issues stem from resource starvation—too many demands on too little power—rather than a fundamental flaw. Let's dig into why your Chromebook might be struggling and, more importantly, how to get it running smoothly again without breaking a sweat.

At a Glance: Quick Fixes for a Frozen Chromebook

Close unused tabs and apps: Each open tab and background app consumes precious RAM.
Check your extensions: Disable or remove any you don't use regularly, especially if they're resource hogs.
Free up storage: Delete old downloads, files, and unused Android/Linux apps.
Update ChromeOS: Ensure your system is running the latest version for bug fixes and performance boosts.
Powerwash (Factory Reset): A last resort, but often effective for deep-seated issues.

Understanding the Lag: Why Your Chromebook Is Freezing Up

Before we jump into solutions, it helps to understand the root causes. Chromebooks are built on a lightweight and stable operating system, ChromeOS. They're designed for efficiency, but even the leanest machine has its limits. Think of your Chromebook like a well-oiled car: it runs great until you overload it or neglect basic maintenance.
Here are the prime suspects behind most performance and freezing issues:

The RAM Drain: Too Much to Remember

This is arguably the most common culprit. Many Chromebooks, especially older or entry-level models, come with 4GB of RAM. While ChromeOS is optimized, 4GB can quickly become a bottleneck. To put it in perspective, modern phones like the iPhone 16e or Google Pixel 9a typically pack 8GB of RAM. Even newer Chromebook Plus models with their minimum of 8GB can be overwhelmed if you're a heavy multitasker.
Every open browser tab, every extension running in the background, and every Linux or Android application you launch consumes RAM. When your Chromebook runs out of available memory, it struggles to keep up, leading to noticeable slowdowns, delays, and ultimately, freezes.

Resource-Intensive Extensions and Background Processes

Those handy Chrome extensions? They're not always as innocent as they seem. Some extensions, particularly those that constantly scan pages, block ads, or manage multiple functions, can consume a surprising amount of system resources—sometimes exceeding 8GB of RAM if they’re buggy or poorly optimized. Similarly, if you're running Linux apps in a container or a suite of Android apps, these background processes can silently gobble up CPU and RAM, leaving less for your immediate tasks.

Storage Space Squeeze

While not always the primary cause of a freeze, a full storage drive can definitely contribute to a sluggish experience. ChromeOS uses storage for "swap space" when your RAM is exhausted, essentially using a portion of your SSD as temporary, slower RAM. If your storage drive is nearly full, not only does it have less room for swap, but the drive itself might become slower at reading and writing data, impacting overall system responsiveness. If you're encountering freezes, especially combined with other performance issues like those experienced by some users with a glitching Chromebook, freeing up space is a vital step.

Outdated Software: The Forgotten Update

Google is constantly refining ChromeOS, releasing updates that include bug fixes, security patches, and performance enhancements. Running an older version of the operating system can leave you susceptible to known bugs that cause instability or slowdowns that have long since been patched. It's like driving an old car that needs an oil change; it might run, but it won't be at its best.

Hardware Bottlenecks and Aging Machines

Let's be real: many Chromebooks feature lower-power processors, like an Intel Celeron, which are designed for light web browsing and basic productivity. These are perfectly fine for daily tasks but will struggle with more intensive activities such as gaming, heavy photo or video editing, or crunching large datasets. Trying to push a modest processor beyond its limits will inevitably lead to lag and freezes.
Even if your Chromebook was a mid-range marvel a few years ago, technology marches on. While newer Chromebooks receive up to 10 years of software support, the underlying hardware can become "low-spec" over time. An aging machine simply can't keep pace with the demands of modern web applications, leading to a gradual degradation in performance and an increased likelihood of freezing. Sometimes, what looks like a freeze might actually be a symptom of a glitching Chromebook where the hardware is simply no longer sufficient.

Your Action Plan: Simple Steps to Revive Your Chromebook

Now that you understand the "why," let's get to the "how." These steps are ordered from the simplest and least intrusive to more comprehensive solutions.

Step 1: Declutter Your Digital Life – Free Up Storage

Think of your Chromebook's storage like your desk. The more cluttered it is, the harder it is to find what you need and get things done. When storage is low, your Chromebook can't efficiently use swap space (temporary memory on the drive), which exacerbates RAM issues.
How to do it:

Check Storage Usage:

Click the time (bottom-right corner) to open the Quick Settings panel.
Click the Settings icon (gear).
In the left sidebar, click Device, then Storage management.
Here you'll see a breakdown of what's using your space.

Delete Unnecessary Files:

Open the Files app (blue folder icon).
Navigate to your "Downloads" folder, "My files," or Google Drive (if files are offline).
Delete large files (videos, unused installers, old documents) you no longer need. Remember, files in your "Downloads" folder are stored locally.

Manage Android and Linux Apps:

In Storage management, you'll see how much space Android and Linux apps consume.
To remove Android apps: Go to Settings > Apps > Manage your apps. Click the three dots next to an app and select "Uninstall."
To remove Linux (Beta): Go to Settings > Linux (Beta) > Remove Linux (Beta). This will delete all Linux apps and files. Reinstalling it is straightforward if you need it later.
Pro Tip: Regularly empty your "Downloads" folder. It's a common dumping ground for files you only need once.

Step 2: Rein in the Wild West – Manage Extensions and Tabs

This is where many Chromebooks truly suffer. Each open tab and active extension demands a piece of your RAM. It’s like throwing a party: a few guests are fun, but hundreds will overwhelm your house.
How to do it:

Monitor Tab Usage:

While there isn't a direct "Task Manager" like on Windows, you can open Chrome's built-in Task Manager by pressing Shift + Esc.
This shows you which tabs and extensions are consuming the most CPU and memory. You might be surprised to find a single problematic tab or extension eating up several hundred megabytes, far more than the typical 100MB-200MB.

Close Unused Tabs:

This sounds obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Get into the habit of closing tabs you’re not actively using.
Consider using a tab management extension (ironically!) like "The Great Suspender" (use with caution and research, as some have had security issues) or simply bookmarking important pages and closing them.

Audit Your Extensions:

Type chrome://extensions into your browser's address bar and press Enter.
Go through the list. Do you really use that old weather app, or that obscure screenshot tool?
Disable extensions you don't use regularly by toggling the switch off.
Remove extensions you never use by clicking "Remove."
Pay special attention to extensions that might be causing a glitching Chromebook by interfering with page rendering or background processes.
Important Note: Even disabled extensions can occasionally interfere. If you suspect an extension, remove it completely and restart your Chromebook.

Step 3: Stay Current – Update ChromeOS

This is the easiest fix and should always be your first troubleshooting step. Google continuously releases updates with performance improvements, bug fixes, and security patches. Running an outdated version of ChromeOS can mean you're experiencing problems that have already been resolved.
How to do it:

Check for Updates:

Click the time (bottom-right corner) to open the Quick Settings panel.
Click the Settings icon (gear).
In the left sidebar, click About ChromeOS.
Click Check for updates.

Install and Restart:

If an update is available, your Chromebook will download it.
Once downloaded, click Restart to update. Your Chromebook will reboot with the new version.
Tip: Make this a regular habit. Updates are quick and typically don't disrupt your workflow significantly.

Step 4: The Clean Slate – Powerwash Your Chromebook

A Powerwash is ChromeOS's version of a factory reset. It erases all user data, settings, and installed applications (Android and Linux apps need manual reinstallation, but Chrome extensions will re-sync from your Google account). This is a powerful step that can resolve deeply embedded software issues, problematic background processes, or corrupted settings that are causing freezes.
When to consider it:
If you've tried all the other steps and your Chromebook is still freezing or performing poorly, a Powerwash is often the most effective solution before considering hardware issues.
How to do it:

Back Up Your Data:

Anything in your "Downloads" folder or "My files" will be deleted. Move important documents, photos, or videos to Google Drive or an external storage device before proceeding.
Your Google Drive files are safe in the cloud and will reappear once you sign back in.

Initiate Powerwash:

Click the time (bottom-right corner) to open the Quick Settings panel.
Click the Settings icon (gear).
In the left sidebar, click Advanced, then Reset settings.
Under "Powerwash," click Reset.
Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm and complete the process.

Set Up Anew:

Your Chromebook will restart as if it were brand new. You'll need to sign in with your Google account.
Allow time for your extensions to re-sync. Manually reinstall any Android or Linux apps you need.
Important: Start fresh after a Powerwash. Don't immediately reinstall all your old extensions or Android apps. Add them back one by one, testing performance after each addition, to see if one of them was the culprit causing your Chromebook to become a glitching Chromebook.

What If It's Still Freezing? Deeper Dives and Next Steps

If you've meticulously followed all the above steps and your Chromebook continues to suffer from performance issues or frequent freezes, it's time to consider other factors.

The Hardware Question: Is Your Chromebook Simply Outmatched?

Remember those hardware bottlenecks we discussed? If your Chromebook has a lower-power processor (like an older Intel Celeron) and you're consistently pushing it with demanding tasks (multiple video streams, complex web applications, heavy gaming, intensive Linux apps), it might simply be struggling with the workload. Even a brand-new, entry-level Chromebook might become a glitching Chromebook if subjected to tasks beyond its design.
Consider your usage patterns:

Are you frequently opening dozens of tabs?
Are you editing high-resolution video or photos?
Are you playing graphically intensive games?
If your daily tasks consistently push your Chromebook to its limits, you might need to adjust your expectations or consider upgrading to a more powerful model, such as a Chromebook Plus device with ample RAM (8GB or more) and a more capable processor.

Aging Hardware: When It's Time for an Upgrade

Even if your usage hasn't changed, an older Chromebook's components can simply become less efficient over time. While ChromeOS devices are known for their longevity, eventually, the underlying hardware can't keep up with the increasing demands of modern web standards and applications. If your device is several years old and exhibiting persistent problems, despite all troubleshooting, it might be nearing the end of its practical lifespan.

Reporting a Problem to Google

If you're confident it's not user error or aging hardware, and you suspect a deeper software bug or unusual behavior, you can report the issue directly to Google. This helps them identify and fix problems in future ChromeOS updates.
How to report:

Open Chrome on your Chromebook.
Click the More icon (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner.
Navigate to Help > Report an issue.
Fill out the form with as much detail as possible, including when the freezing occurs, what you were doing, and any error messages. You can also choose to include system logs and screenshots.
For further assistance, utilize Google's official help forums where other users and experts might offer solutions, or directly contact your device manufacturer for hardware-specific support.

Keeping Your Chromebook Zippy: Best Practices

Prevention is always better than cure. By adopting a few smart habits, you can significantly reduce the chances of your Chromebook freezing or slowing down in the first place:

Mindful Multitasking: Only keep essential tabs and applications open. Bookmark pages you need to revisit instead of letting them sit open forever.
Extension Pruning: Regularly review your chrome://extensions page. If you haven't used an extension in a month, disable or remove it.
Regular Updates: Set a reminder to check for ChromeOS updates weekly. It takes minutes and keeps your system optimized.
Clear Downloads: Periodically empty your "Downloads" folder. This simple habit keeps your local storage tidy.
Understand Your Hardware: Be realistic about what your Chromebook can handle. Don't expect a budget model to perform like a high-end workstation.
By following these simple steps and understanding the common culprits behind performance issues, you can keep your Chromebook running smoothly, efficiently, and reliably for years to come.