Brits have a need for speed – slow computer is the UK’s most Googled tech problem

• Slow computers top the list of the UK’s ten most Googled computer problems
• Forgotten passwords are second, and the “blue screen of death” is third
• Top tips on how to solve the five most commonly searched issues

The UK’s most searched computer problem is how to speed up a PC or laptop, with Google logging more than 57,000 queries every month related to slow computers.

The study by online security experts PPC Shield found that terms such as “how to speed up laptop” or “speed up Windows 10” accumulated the highest number of average monthly searches in the UK – 57,950 in total.

In second place were forgotten password searches, as an average of 44,050 searches are made each month to change a forgotten password to access a service such as Gmail or Facebook.

In third place is the Windows “blue screen of death”, which appears following a fatal system error to indicates a system crash, and generates 32,590 searches on average each month.

The UK’s fourth most-Googled computer problem is based on problems with Windows updates, with 21,050 monthly searches for terms like “Windows update fix” or “Windows 10 update problems”.

Fifth on the list is another speed-related query – people hoping to find ways to speed up their internet connection, which sees on average 20,850 searches per month.

The sixth and seventh most commonly searched computer issues relate to recovering Windows (19,100 monthly searches), and the more drastic option of resetting Windows (12,150), while number eight in the ranking is the problem of the computer not even starting, which is Googled 11,850 times a month.

Problems with peripherals, such as the keyboard and mouse, are ninth on the list due to 10,760 searches each. In tenth but by no means the least infuriating, are printer problems, which generate 10,350 monthly Google inquiries.

Commenting on the study, a spokesperson for PPC Shield said: “Society relies on technology more than ever before, so it’s fascinating to see which technical issues are the most common, and our research reveals that computer speed is of paramount importance. Whether we’re working, or browsing for leisure, everyone is so used to the lightning quick speed of modern technology that even small delays can feel like an age.”

The study used a search analytics platform to analyse more than 400 different terms related to computer problems and grouped together similar search terms to find the most common issues. It also found that the single most searched term is “how to speed up laptop”, followed by “change google password”, with “speed up windows 10” in third.

The analysis was conducted by PPC Shield, which enables brands and businesses to optimise their online ad campaigns by filtering out and blocking fraudulent clicks to ensure an advertising budget is not wasted.

The UK’s top five most Googled computer problems – and tips on how to solve them:

1. Computer is too slow

• Uninstall unnecessary software
• Limit the programs that run at startup
• Add more RAM to your PC
• Check for spyware and viruses
• Use Disk Cleanup and defragmentation
• Consider a startup SSD
• Take a look at your web browser, consider clearing out your cache

1. Forgotten Password

If you’ve forgotten your password to Gmail or Facebook, you can usually choose to reset the password and gain access to your account. Many security experts recommend using a password manager to create complex unique passwords for each account you create.

If you’ve forgotten your password for Windows, it can be slightly trickier:

• Password reset options are available by answering security questions (if you completed this when you first set up your PC)
• It is possible to create a “password reset disk” using a USB stick
• If all else fails, reinstalling windows will reset your password, but it may also cause you to lose your files

1. Blue Screen of Death

This can be caused by numerous things, including corrupted apps that need to be reinstalled or incompatible hardware/peripherals. These are easily fixed, but sometimes the “BSOD” will not allow you to even access your desktop. You can boot up your PC in “safe mode”, however, and perform some changes from there – namely, reinstalling windows.

1. Windows 10 update problems

Along with more advanced fixes, some of the most basic ways you can troubleshoot problematic Windows Updates includes:

• Free up some drive space so you can run updates
• Restart to apply installed updates
• Run Windows Update again
• Disconnect external hardware
• Update third-party drivers
• Check Device Manager for errors

1. Internet is too slow

• Turn things off and on again.
• Move your router to a better location.
• Adjust your router’s antennas.
• Make sure you’re on the right frequency band.
• Prune unnecessary connections.
• Change your Wi-Fi frequency channel.
• Update your router’s firmware.
• Replace your equipment.
• Extend your Wi-Fi network.