Why Does Google Docs Slow Down When You Type?
Hey there! Have you ever noticed that Google Docs can sometimes be a bit slow when you’re typing away? Well, don’t worry because I’m here to explain why this happens and what you can do about it. Stick with me till the end of this article to learn more!
What Makes Google Docs Lag While Writing?
Remember when we used to rely on Microsoft Word for writing and editing documents? Well, Google Docs has become pretty popular because it offers lots of cool features. Plus, everything you write is saved right in your cloud storage, so you won’t lose your work easily.
But, there’s a catch. Google Docs has its limitations, and one of the common issues is the lag that happens when you’re typing. This lag can slow things down and make writing less fun.
What’s Causing the Lag?
So, why does Google Docs slow down when you type? Let’s find out!
1. Long Documents:
Imagine you’re writing a super long 40-45 page document. As you scroll through it, you might notice a delay of 10-15 seconds. This can be frustrating and disrupt your concentration.
The reason for this lag is that Google Docs constantly saves your work, and with really long documents, things can get messy. There might be too much stuff going on, which can cause the document to get messed up. It’s a good idea to be cautious, but it may not always work perfectly.
2. Too Many Extensions:
Extensions are like little tools you add to your web browser to make it do extra things. They’re handy, but some of them can slow down Google Docs. Take Grammarly, for example. It’s great for checking grammar and making your writing better, but when you’re working on a long document, it can make things sluggish.
The solution? You can disable Grammarly while you’re writing in Google Docs to speed things up a bit.
3. Too Many Tabs Open:
When you’re working on your computer, you might have lots of tabs open in your web browser, or some apps running in the background. Usually, modern computers can handle this just fine, but Google Docs can sometimes struggle.
All those open tabs and apps use up your computer’s brainpower (CPU and RAM), and that can make Google Docs behave oddly. So, it’s a good idea to finish up other tasks before you start writing in Google Docs.
4. Device Problems:
If your computer or device isn’t super powerful, you might experience lags in Google Docs. Writing involves a bit of multitasking, and if your system isn’t up to the task, it will slow down. Since Google Docs is an online app, any issues with your web browser will affect it too.
To fix this, you can either upgrade your computer’s RAM or consider getting a more powerful device. Otherwise, you’ll keep facing those frustrating lags.
How to Make Google Docs Faster When It’s Lagging?
Alright, we’ve talked about why Google Docs can slow down while you’re typing, but let’s get to the fun part – fixing it! There are some simple tricks you can try to make your Google Docs experience smoother.
1. Change or Update Your Browser:
Sometimes it’s not your computer’s fault; it’s the browser you’re using. Google Docs is a web-based app, so it relies on your browser to work well. If you’re experiencing lag, you might want to switch to a different browser that works better with Google Docs. If you don’t want to switch, make sure your current browser is up to date. An outdated browser can lead to lags, so keep it fresh!
2. Clear Cache and Cookies:
Your browser collects a bunch of stuff while you’re surfing the internet, like cookies. Over time, these cookies can pile up and slow down Google Docs. So, when Docs isn’t behaving as it should, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. It won’t magically fix everything, but it can help speed things up a bit.
3. Reboot Your System:
Restarting your computer might sound simple, but it works wonders. When you reboot, your computer starts fresh, and it gets rid of any unnecessary data that might be messing with Google Docs. This means more memory is available for your browser, making Google Docs faster and more responsive.
4. Remove or Disable Unnecessary Plug-Ins:
Plug-ins and extensions are like cool add-ons for your browser. But, some of them can slow down Google Docs. For example, Grammarly and power thesaurus are often used plug-ins, but Grammarly can be a bit of a speed bump. Instead of removing it, you can just disable it temporarily while you’re writing in Google Docs. Once you’re done, you can enable it again to fix those grammar issues.
5. Keep an Eye on Characters:
If you write a lot in Google Docs and have tons of characters on a single page, it can slow things down. There’s a limit of 3000 characters per page, and if you exceed that, Google Docs might get sluggish. The worst-case scenario is that your browser could even crash, and you might lose your work. So, always be mindful of the word or character limit on each page.
6. Check and Adjust Drive Firewall Settings:
Sometimes, the firewall settings in Google Drive or Google Docs can cause slowdowns. You should check if everything is connected properly in the firewall settings. Ensure that all settings are up to date, and you can do this by accessing Google Drive and running troubleshooting.
