10 ways to fix an Android tablet that's running slow or freezing

⚡ Fast fix

• Close the clutter—Too many open apps and browser tabs can overwhelm your tablet’s memory.
• Storage almost full? Free up at least 10–15% of space so Android has room to run smoothly.
• Battery Saver mode can throttle performance to stretch battery life.
• Restart it already—A quick reboot clears stuck background processes and temporary glitches.

---

You're determined to ace your exams and ready to take amazing notes. But your Android™ tablet is running slow, then suddenly freezes in the middle of class. It's nearly impossible to get anything done. What should you do?

We can help. From tackling common problems with Samsung Galaxy® tablets to identifying the must-have smart gadgets for the college student in your life—Asurion Experts have you covered. Here’s how to fix an Android tablet that keeps freezing or that’s running slower than usual.

Why is my tablet so slow?

When your tablet starts running slow or freezing, there are a few things that could be causing these issues:

• Limited storage
• Outdated software
• A specific app
• Slow internet connection

How to fix a tablet that’s running slow

It can be frustrating when your device slows to a crawl. Try out these troubleshooting steps to speed up your Android tablet.

Check your Wi-Fi

First, you’ll want to determine if your slow tablet is simply due to a poor Wi-Fi connection. You can turn your Wi-Fi off and then back on to see if that speeds up your device. 

If your tablet is connected to cellular service, try turning off the Wi-Fi and testing it before turning the Wi-Fi back on. Want to learn more? Check out our tips for speeding up your Wi-Fi. 

Restart your tablet

One of the easiest and fastest ways to improve how your tablet is working is restarting it. This will close any programs that are running and help clear out any glitches or cached data that could be slowing down your device.

Follow these steps to restart your tablet:

• Press and hold the Power button and Volume down button.
• Wait for the screen to go black. Then turn on the tablet.

If these steps don't work, press and hold the Power button for 1–2 minutes until the screen goes dark, then turn your tablet back on.

Update your software

Your Android™ tablet uses software updates to correct problems with your device. If your tablet is running older software, it might be working harder than it should.

Here’s how you can get your tablet up-to-date:

• Go to Settings > Software update or System > System update.
• Tap Check for updates or Download and install.
• If there are any updates available, follow the prompts onscreen to get the update started.

Samsung Galaxy® tablets and Google Pixel™ tablets may use slightly different menu names, but the update process is similar.

Update your apps

While you’re at it, make sure your apps are updated too. Outdated apps can also slow down your tablet or cause freezing issues.

• Open the Google Play™ Store.
• Tap the profile icon at the top.
• Tap Manage apps & device.
• Apps with an update available are labeled "Update available."
• Tap Update.

If your tablet slows down mainly while using one app, updating it can often fix bugs or memory issues causing the lag.

Take a look at what apps you’re using

When your tablet keeps an app open, it’s using energy, which can slow down the web browser or the video game you’re playing. You can either close apps when you’re no longer using them or delete them if you don’t need the app anymore.

• Check your app settings. Some apps use more background power and memory than they need to.
• Look for Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode. These features help battery life, but they can slow overall performance.
• Too many browser tabs open? Closing extras can free up memory and help your tablet run smoother.

For more help improving device performance, check out how to speed up a slow Android phone and how to clear cache on Android devices.

Choose a lower video resolution

If you encounter endless buffering when streaming a video or playing games, and it’s not related to your internet connection, try lowering the video resolution. Running an app at its maximum resolution can deliver great visuals, but it can also slow down your tablet.

Check the minimum requirements for the app

Having the option to download an app must mean your tablet can handle it, right? Not always. You might be able to download it, but that doesn’t mean your tablet meets the requirements the app needs to run efficiently.

If you notice lagging while you’re using an app—or after downloading it—check out its specifications and requirements in the app store.

Move your app icons to a single screen

Having all of your apps scattered on different Home Screen pages means your tablet has to use more power when you scroll between them. Move your tablet’s apps to a single screen—or two—to lessen the chances of your device being slowed down.

Back up your tablet

Your device’s media files take up a lot of energy—not to mention storage space—so you might notice a lag if your tablet is video and photo-heavy. Back up your tablet to a cloud service, like Google Photos™, so you can access those memories without having to delete them forever.

If your storage is nearly full, deleting unused downloads and old files can also help improve speed. Android tablets typically perform better when some free storage space is available.

You can also check out how to free up storage space on Android for more tips.

---

FAQ

Why is my Android tablet suddenly so slow?

A slow Android tablet is usually caused by low storage space, too many background apps, outdated software, or poor internet connectivity. Restarting the device and updating apps can often help immediately.

Does low storage make a tablet slower?

Yes. When an Android tablet gets close to full storage capacity, it can struggle to run apps efficiently and may freeze more often.

Why does my Android tablet keep freezing?

Freezing can happen because of outdated apps, software bugs, overheating, or overloaded memory from too many active apps or tabs.

Should I replace my Android tablet if it’s slow?

Not always. Many slow tablets can be improved with updates, storage cleanup, or app management. But if performance issues continue after troubleshooting, the hardware may be aging. Read more on should you repair or replace your tablet.

Can a factory reset make a tablet faster?

Yes. A factory reset can remove corrupted files, buggy apps, and accumulated clutter that may be slowing the device down. Just make sure to back up your data first.