The cheapest way to speed up a slow laptop is to upgrade its RAM. You don’t need a degree in computer science to do it. All you need is a small screwdriver, a memory stick that works, and fifteen minutes of your time. This guide shows you how to get more ram on laptop with installing a new one, make sure it works with your laptop, and fix any problems that come up after the upgrade.
Why Upgrading RAM Can Improve Laptop Performance
Random Access Memory (RAM) is the temporary data storage for your computer. Windows loads the data it needs from your slow hard drive into the very fast RAM when you open a program. If you do not have enough RAM, your laptop will constantly have to move data between the memory and the hard drive, which slows it down a lot. When you add more RAM, it gives your processor the room it needs to handle multiple tasks at once without freezing.
Signs Your Laptop May Need More RAM
It is easy to tell when your system does not have enough memory. Keep an eye out for these common signs:
- Your laptop takes several minutes to boot up and become responsive.
- Web browsers freeze or crash when you open more than a few tabs.
- Switching between active applications causes a noticeable delay.
- You receive “Out of Memory” error messages from Windows.
- Your hard drive light constantly flashes, indicating the system is relying heavily on virtual memory.
What to Check Before Installing RAM in a Laptop
You can not just pick up any RAM stick and put it in your laptop. Before you buy something, you need to make sure of two important facts.
Check Compatibility First
Because laptops have a much smaller physical memory size than desktops, they use SO-DIMM memory. You also need to make sure you buy the right generation of memory. Even if your laptop’s motherboard works with DDR4, you can not force a DDR5 stick into the bay. There are differences in performance between DDR4 and DDR5, which you can read about in our guide. However, you must use the right type of memory for your motherboard. According to Corsair’s guide on upgrading laptop memory, you should also look at the manufacturer’s specs for your laptop to find out how much RAM it can hold and how fast it can go (in MHz).
Identify Your Current RAM Setup
When you press Ctrl, Shift, and Esc in Windows, the Task Manager will open. Click on the “Performance” tab and then on “Memory.” This is where you can see how much RAM you have, how fast it works, and how many slots are open. If your laptop has two slots and both are full (for example, with two 4GB sticks), you will need to take them out and put in a new pair that matches (for example, two 8GB sticks) in order to upgrade.
How to Install RAM in a Laptop in 6 Steps
Once you have the correct RAM in hand, follow these steps to install it safely.
Step 1: Power Down and Unplug
Close Windows all the way. Do not just turn off the laptop. Take the power adapter off the wall and disconnect any USB devices or other connected devices.
Step 2: Ground Yourself
Using static electricity can instantly damage computer parts that are sensitive. For anti-static purposes, touch an unpainted metal surface, like a radiator or a desk leg, before you touch the insides. To lower the risk of static electricity, Kingston’s official installation guide says to work on a hard, flat surface instead of a carpeted floor.
Step 3: Open the Laptop Case
Lay the laptop on its back. To take off the screws that hold the bottom panel in place, use a small Phillips-head screwdriver. Keep the screws in a small bowl so they are easy to find. Their lengths often vary. Use a plastic spudger or an old credit card to carefully pry off the bottom panel.
Step 4: Disconnect the Battery (If Possible)
If your laptop has an internal battery with a cable that you can see connecting it to the motherboard, carefully unplug it. This step makes sure that the board does not still have power going through it while you work.
Step 5: Remove the Old RAM
Locate the RAM slots. On each side of the memory stick, there are two small metal clips that hold it upright. Together, gently push these clips outward. It will pop up at a 45-degree angle. To get the stick out of the slot, grab the edges and pull it straight out.
Step 6: Insert the New RAM
Line up the key in the empty slot with the notch on the gold edge of your new RAM stick. At the same 45-degree angle, put the stick into the slot. Once you are sure it is in place, press flat on the top edge of the RAM until the metal side clips lock it in place. Put the screws back in, snap the bottom cover back on, and connect the battery again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Laptop RAM
A lot of first-timers make simple mistakes that stop the laptop from starting up. Do not make these mistakes:
- Touching the gold contacts: The oils on your fingers might make the electrical connection less stable. Hold RAM by the edges at all times.
- Forcing the RAM into the slot: It is possible that you have the stick upside down or the wrong generation of memory if it does not quickly slide in.
- Mixing RAM speeds: You can put a new 3200MHz stick in slot two and leave the old 2400MHz stick in slot one. The motherboard will make both sticks run at the slower 2400MHz speed.
What to Do If Your Laptop Doesn’t Recognize New RAM: Troubleshooting Steps
Do not worry if you turn on the laptop and the screen stays black or if Windows does not show the new capacity. Dell’s documentation on how to fix memory problems suggests the following fixes:
- Reseat the RAM: Most likely, you did not push the stick all the way into the slot. Take the RAM out of the laptop by opening it up and then putting it back in, making sure the side clips lock tightly.
- Test one stick at a time: Take out one of the sticks if you put in two. Start up the laptop. Switch the sticks if it works. You can tell if one of the new sticks arrived broken by following these steps.
- Update your BIOS: Sometimes, an older motherboard needs to have its firmware updated before it can see memory modules with more space.
When You Can’t Upgrade RAM in a Laptop
You can not improve every laptop on the market, which is a shame. Making thin designs more important to manufacturers than being able to upgrade them.
Soldered RAM
A lot of ultrabooks and high-end laptops today solder the memory chips right onto the motherboard. You can not take out soldered RAM or add more of it. You have to live with the capacity you picked when you bought it.
Limited Capacity Motherboards
There is a hard limit on how much RAM your laptop can hold, even if the RAM slots are removable. This is because of the motherboard firmware. If the manufacturer of your system says it can only hold 16GB, adding a 32GB kit will not work. Either the laptop will not start up at all or it will only see half of the memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Not at all. Laptops with accessible SO-DIMM slots are the only ones that let you install RAM. There is soldered memory in many thin and light laptops today that you can not upgrade.
A: 8GB is the very least you need for basic tasks like browsing the web, checking email, and writing documents. On the other hand, we strongly suggest 16GB for a smooth experience. Before you decide how much RAM you need for heavy tasks or whether 16GB RAM is enough for gaming, you should look at the software’s requirements.
A: Adding RAM gets rid of slowdowns. If your laptop is slow because it does not have enough memory, adding more will make it feel much faster and more responsive. But adding more RAM will not speed up your processor if you already have enough. You can read our guide to see is 32GB RAM overkill for your specific needs.
Replacing an Old Laptop Eliminates Hardware Bottlenecks and Limitations
An excellent and inexpensive way to make an old laptop last longer is to upgrade its RAM. You can greatly improve your system’s ability to handle multiple tasks by making sure they are compatible, protecting yourself from static, and carefully installing the new SO-DIMM sticks.You can upgrade your RAM, but it will not help if your laptop has soldered memory or if that does not fix your slow, old processor after you do it. When your hardware stops working, you have to get a whole new system. Check out the top-of-the-line GEEKOM laptops to get a modern, powerful machine that comes with a lot of fast memory right out of the box. This way, you will never have to worry about performance issues again.
