An Inspiron 16 5640 that feels slow is usually weighed down by start-up programs, a nearly full drive, a power mode set to save energy or a heavy background task such as an update or a scan, and the Intel Core Ultra processor in it has plenty of speed for everyday work. Start with Task Manager, opened by Control, Shift and Escape. On the Processes tab, sort by CPU, Memory and Disk and see what is busy.
The checks in more detail
A browser with dozens of tabs, a cloud sync client or a Windows Update running will use a lot, and a process that stays at the top after an hour deserves attention. On the Startup apps tab, disable programs you do not need at start-up, as each adds to the slow minutes after boot. Check the power mode in Settings, System, Power and battery, and in the Dell Optimizer or Dell Power Manager app if it is installed: a laptop set to Quiet or Cool will limit its speed. Choose Optimized or Balanced for normal use and Ultra Performance for heavy tasks, while plugged in.
Check drive space in Settings, System, Storage and free space until at least fifteen percent is available, by removing large downloads and running Storage Sense. Windows needs room for updates and a swap file, and a full drive slows everything. Restart the laptop and install pending updates, including the BIOS and drivers through Dell Command Update, since Dell fixes performance problems this way. Scan for malware with Windows Security. Look at the browser: extensions and a large cache make it slow, and a test in a private window will tell.
Make sure the vents are clear and the laptop is on a hard surface, because heat throttles the chip and the fan gets loud. Run Dell's built-in diagnostics with F12 at start-up to test the drive and memory. If the laptop was fast and slowed down suddenly, think about what changed, such as a new program or an update. As a last resort, back up and use Windows' Reset this PC to reinstall. Contact Dell with the service tag if diagnostics show a failing drive.
Differential
Likely causes of “Dell Inspiron 16 5640 is running very slowly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Too many start-up programs
What separates it A slow first few minutes
How to confirm Disable the ones you do not need
- 2
A power or thermal mode set to quiet
What separates it Slow even on the charger
How to confirm Choose Optimized or Balanced
- 3
A nearly full drive
What separates it Slow and updates fail
How to confirm Free at least fifteen percent
- 4
A heavy background task
What separates it High CPU or disk
How to confirm Wait for updates and scans to finish
- 5
Heat or a failing drive
What separates it Throttling or errors
How to confirm Clear the vents and run diagnostics
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The top process
- The power mode
- The free drive space
- Whether it slowed suddenly
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCheck Task Manager
ReversibleFor busy processes.
Disable start-up apps
ReversibleThat you do not need.
Choose a better power mode
ReversibleIn Dell's app or Windows.
Free drive space
ReversibleTo fifteen percent.
Update through Dell Command Update
ReversibleBIOS and drivers.
Run Dell diagnostics
ReversibleF12 at start-up.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Start-up apps
- Each one slows boot.
- Thermal modes
- Quiet limits speed.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If Dell diagnostics show a drive fault, contact Dell with the service tag
- !Back up before a reset
- !Restart and update first
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my Inspiron slow?+
Start-up programs, a full drive or a quiet power mode.
Is the processor too weak?+
No, the Core Ultra is fast.
Should I reset Windows?+
Only after backing up.
How do I run diagnostics?+
Press F12 at start-up.