Is your system getting slower than the tortoise as you use it while it is being charged? Do you always have to keep your device plugged into a power source when using it to avoid rapid battery drain but are you tired of the slow performance you get? Your device might lag or slow down due to incorrect power management settings, excessive heat generation, or hardware failure.

In this article, we will cover different checks and fixes that will help you eliminate lag issues and get the best performance.

1. Ensure Excessive Heat Isn't to Blame

The high heat generated by device components is one of the significant reasons a laptop slows down when charging.

During the charging of a laptop, a part of the energy is converted into heat, which needs to be dissipated. If it doesn't find a way out, it builds up and increases system temperatures, resulting in sluggish performance. Therefore, you should ensure that your device isn't slowing down due to high heat levels.

Although laptop cooling fans spinning madly should be enough to confirm high heat generation in your laptop, you can also measure the CPU temperature with temperature monitoring apps. If the temperature is too high, you have found the culprit slowing down your device. Therefore, help your laptop vent the heat comfortably to resolve the problem.

If you've never cleaned your laptop or fixed an overheating issue, check out our in-depth guide on fixing overheating laptops to cool down your device properly. However, if overheating isn't the problem, start applying the remaining fixes.

2. Check for Problems With the Power Adapter

Using a faulty power adapter to charge your device could be another cause of its slow performance. It shouldn't be a problem if you have been using the original charger that came with your device. However, if it has already become too old, you may encounter problems. It is, therefore, imperative to rule out this possibility.

To ensure your power adapter is not causing your device to slow down, try charging your device with a different one that is compatible with it and see if it helps. If it improves performance, buy a new power adapter. If the issue persists after trying a new adapter or in case you do not have another adapter on hand, you can move on to the next fix.

3. Run Your Laptop on an AC Power Supply

Keeping the charger plugged in for a long time can cause the laptop battery to overheat. Therefore, if your device is overheating due to its battery dissipating more heat, remove the battery and run the device directly from the AC power supply.

This will certainly cut off the excessive heat production by the battery, resulting in massive performance gains. You should, however, only do this if the voltage remains stable in your area; otherwise, it could blow your device. Moreover, you should also use a UPS to prevent your progress from being wiped during an electrical outage.

Also, using original power adapters is recommended, as an AC supply from an unsupported adapter may damage your device. Finally, avoid touching the battery compartment, especially where the battery contacts are, to avoid getting jolts.

4. Change Power Settings

You need to keep your power plan settings balanced to get the best performance from your device. The higher performance settings certainly help us perform demanding tasks more effectively, but they also cause occasional lag and stuttering. Follow these steps to change the power settings:

  1. Right-click the Windows Start button and select Settings.
  2. In the right pane, click on Power & battery.
  3. Choose Better performance from the dropdown menu next to Power mode if it is already set to Best performance. If it's already on Recommended, leave it there.
    Changing the Power Mode Settings in Windows Settings App
  4. After that, open Control Panel by typing "Control Panel" into the Windows Search box.
  5. Select Large icons from the View by dropdown menu in the top-right corner.
    Selecting Large Icons from the View By Dropdown Menu in the Top-right Corner of Control Panel
  6. Go to Power Options after that.
  7. Change the power plan from High performance to Balanced (recommended).

There is no need to do anything if only the Balanced (recommended) option is available in the Power Options settings.

5. Change the Processor Power Management Settings

While it's preferred to set the processor settings to use maximum capacity when running resource-hungry processes, it is common to encounter lag if the CPU is loaded to its full capacity. Therefore, you can prevent laptop lag and stutter by not allowing your processor to reach its peak performance even when required.

Follow these steps to change the processor's power management settings:

  1. Open Control Panel by typing "Control Panel" into the Windows Search box.
  2. Select Large icons from the View by dropdown menu in the top-right corner.
  3. Go to Power Options after that.
  4. Next to your selected plan, click on Change plan settings.
    Clicking on the Change Plan Settings in Power Options Window of Control Panel
  5. Click Change advanced power settings.
  6. Click the Plus sign to expand the Processor power management category in the Power Options window.
    Expanding the Processor Power Management Category by Clicking on the Plus Sign Under Change Advanced Power Settings in the Power Options Window of Control Panel
  7. Then, expand the maximum processor state category.
  8. Change the percentage next to Plugged in from 100% to 95% or lower.
    Changing the Percentage Next to Plugged in from High to Low in the Dropdown of the Processor Power Management in the Power Options Window of Control Panel

6. Take the Burden Off Your Laptop Components

Using the above tips will certainly help you rule out hardware issues or incorrect power management settings, but if your system still lags or slows down, you may be able to speed it up by freeing up its RAM and CPU resources. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Right-click on Windows Start and open Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Processes tab.
  3. Find the tasks that are burdening your resources.
  4. Right-click on resource-hungry tasks and click End task to close them.
    End task option in the Task Manager

If this fix fails, you should only use your device when it isn't charging.

7. Use Your Device When It Isn't Charging

If none of the fixes listed above have helped, you should have your device inspected by a technician to rule out any hardware issues. If the problem persists after getting your device checked, you will have no choice but to use the laptop only when it's not charging. So, charge your device fully before use and avoid using it when it's plugged in.

If you're worried about your device draining its battery too fast, look at our guide on tips for preventing fast battery drain. By following the steps in the linked article, you should be able to extend your device's battery life and not even need to keep it plugged in when using - a temporary solution for lag issues when charging.

Don't Let Your Laptop Lag While Charging

Slow laptop performance leads to a downward spiral of productivity. By applying the fixes in the article, hopefully, your laptop will no longer lag while charging. Thus, you won't have to drain your battery to get the best performance.