Why Is My SSD Slow? How To Speed It Up

Most people buy SSDs for their speed because they are significantly faster than HDDs. When your SSD isn’t transferring and storing data as fast as you’d hoped, it might not be that the drive itself is slow. A problem or an incorrect setting could prevent the drive from using its full potential speed, and you can increase the speed by fixing the issue. 

Causes of Slow SSDs

What Are the Signs of a Slow SSD?

When your SSD is slow, you’ll notice a few different things.

• The time it takes for the system to start may be longer than usual. The faster the drive that holds the operating system, the faster the startup time should be. 
  
• Programs may not perform as well. If multiple programs are lagging, stuttering, or having longer than expected load times, it could be a slow SSD at fault.
  
• Apps can take longer to open than they should. If you notice a significant change in the time it takes your programs to start working, it could be a sign your SSD is slower than it should be.

You want the full potential speed of your SSD and making sure nothing is interfering with it will help you get it.

How to Speed Up My Slow SSD?

To discover why your SSD is slow, troubleshoot potential causes of slowdowns and remedy them.

Run CHKDSK and System File Checker

Two utilities that might help you find the cause of your slow SSD are CHKDSK and System File Checker. One looks for problems with your hard drive and attempts to repair them. The other examines your system files to make sure they’re all in place and in good condition.

1. Press the Windows key + X and choose PowerShell (Admin).
   
2. Click Yes to confirm that your PowerShell window can have administrative access.
3. Type sfc /scannow.
   
4. Press Enter.
5. Wait for the scan to run. You can input the following command into the same PowerShell window when it’s finished.
6. Type CHKDSK X: /f /r /x. Replace X with the letter designation of the SSD you’re working on.
   
7. Press Enter.
8. Type Y if prompted.
   
9. Press Enter. Your computer will restart, and the scan will run. Once it’s back on, you’ll be able to see whether there are errors on the disk. 

If either scan found errors, they could be the reason for a slow SSD.

Perform System Upgrades and Maintenance

Another thing you can do to make sure there are no problems with your system is to update Windows and run a virus scan. A virus can lurk silently on your computer and cause all kinds of issues – like SSD slowness – without ever letting you know it’s there directly.

1. Press the Windows Key + X and then choose the Settings option.
   
2. Click Update and Security.
   
3. Click Windows Update in the left pane.
   
4. Choose Check for Updates.
   
5. Click Install Now if updates are available.
   
6. Restart your computer.

Once Windows is fully updated, return to the Settings page to run a virus scan with the built-in Windows antivirus software.

1. Select Update and Security from the Settings menu.
   
2. Choose Windows Security from the left pane.
   
3. Select Virus and Threat Protection.
   
4. Click Scan Options.
   
5. Choose Full Scan.
   
6. Select Scan Now.
7. Wait for the scan to run and follow the prompts to complete it and fix any problems it finds.
8. Restart the computer.

Once you’re sure your system is updated and functioning correctly, there are no viruses, and the drive is error-free, you can explore other avenues to find a solution to the SSD’s slow speed.

Update Your Drivers

The drivers for your SSD should both be updated. Updated drivers can fix problems that cause issues like slower speeds.

1. Press the Windows Key + X.
2. Click Device Manager.
3. Expand the Disk Drives category.
   
4. Right-Click on the SSD you’re using.
5. Click Update Driver.
   
6. Click Search Automatically for Drivers.
   
7. Follow the prompts to install the driver.
8. Restart your computer.

If there was an updated driver, the SSD might work faster now. 

Look for Bottlenecks

Picture the tasks your computer does as a river, and each piece of hardware as its own section in the river, one after the other. Where the river is wider, more water can pass through. Where it’s thinner, less water flows. The same principle applies to your PC’s jobs and the hardware you have. 

If you have a great hard drive but an older, slower CPU, the CPU might be a narrow part of your computer’s workflow. The drive can only process tasks once the tasks being done by connected hardware are completed. In the case of the SSD, the most likely parts that could bottleneck your system are the CPU and RAM.

Check for the RAM and CPU usage when your drive speed seems low. For example, if it’s lagging in games, do this during a game when you notice the lag.

1. Press the Windows Key + X, and then choose Task Manager.
   
2. Click the Performance tab.
   
3. Watch the CPU and Memory Usage while you’re doing your task. 

If either the CPU or the Memory seems to come close to maxing out, they may be the cause of the slowness instead of the SSD. You may have to upgrade your hardware to reduce the bottleneck.

Optimize Your Storage Space

Another common problem that slows down solid-state drives is having too much on them. Keep your SSD below 75 percent capacity by off-loading files that don’t require the speed of the SSD to another storage drive.

1. Press the Windows Key and then type File Explorer in the search box.
   
2. Right-Click your SSD in the left pane.
3. Choose Properties.
   
4. Click on the General tab.
   
5. Look at the Used and Free Space numbers to see how much of your storage is used.

If you have too many files, delete them or move them to another drive. You could also utilize online cloud backup if needed.

Enable AHCI Mode

AHCI mode is the Advanced Host Controller Interface mode, and it’s a newer, faster protocol for SATA configuration than what came before. If your BIOS uses a different protocol, it might explain the slow SSD speeds.

1. Enter your BIOS. For most people, you can shut down your computer and click the BIOS-access button when the first screen appears on the monitor. The access button will vary depending on your system. F2 is a common option.
2. Look for Advanced Options or SATA Configuration. Heading vary depending on your manufacturer.
3. Search for an option to change your SATA configuration from IDE to AHCI. If you have a RAID configuration, do not change anything.
   
4. Save your changes.
5. Restart your computer.

AHCI gives you access to faster speeds than the older protocol IDE. This change may enable your drive to take advantage of its speed.

Potential Hardware and Setup Issues

If you’re comfortable opening your computer, check a few things out in case of problems with the drive itself or connected hardware.

• Try swapping the cable that connects your SSD to the motherboard if you have another available. If the cord is damaged, it might not transmit data at speed it should.
  
• Check for any issues with the ports on the drive and on the motherboard itself. You can also try plugging it into a different motherboard port to see whether the speeds improve.
• Check the SATA protocol for the port the drive is plugged into. You don’t want a SATA III drive plugged into a SATA II port. It will still operate, but the speed will be reduced.

Any of these issues may slow down your SSD. If you find problems with it, you may have to replace a cable or use a different port to restore your speed.