Dell XPS 15 9550 Lag/Crashing Issues
Dell XPS 15 9550 Lag/Crashing Issues
Owns a Dell XPS 15 9550 laptop for years. Recently performed a clean Windows 10 reinstall about ten months ago. Hardware includes an i5-6300hq processor, 1TB SSD, NVMe storage, upgraded from 250GB SSD and 8GB RAM previously. Graphics are Intel HD 530 with NVIDIA GeForce 960M. Experiences significant lag and crashes during online poker and YouTube playback in Chrome. Noted lag may stem from the poker software or Chrome itself. Check if Kaspersky Total Security is active and disabling it might help. Also consider using Kaspersky AdBlocker alongside. Think about relying solely on Windows Defender for protection.
The CPU usage per core as shown by MSI Afterburner is not a standard metric; it typically displays overall CPU utilization or load averages.
Additionally, here are the programs listed in your apps/features section. It might be worth checking if any of these could be linked to the issue. Regarding the Windows updates, there were some optional driver updates that didn’t install properly. In the past, when I had to reinstall my laptop, I manually added important drivers from Dell’s site. After that, the yellow warning signs in Device Manager disappeared, which helped me decide not to download further updates. Now, if you check the Windows Update section again, you can see the driver updates available. Would you like me to suggest which ones to consider downloading?
Use MSI Afterburner as an overclocking and monitoring utility for any platform. Launch it and view the CPU utilization for each core.
Here are some possible alternatives you could try:
- Check if your system has any driver issues. You can visit the Dell support site for automatic driver updates.
- Run a quick diagnostic test to identify common hardware problems. It should take about 10 minutes.
- Consider running a full diagnostic test that takes around 40 minutes.
- Think about switching to a different test method if you prefer.
- Ask others for their experiences with these steps.
Regarding Kaspersky:
- You might want to temporarily disable it to see if the lag improves.
- If you never use Kaspersky Password Manager or Kaspersky VPN, consider removing them from your list.
- Check if the protection extension for Chrome is causing performance issues. You could try disabling it and see if Chrome runs smoother.
- If you uninstall Kaspersky Total and its extension, test Chrome for lag, especially when using YouTube.
- For NVIDIA GeForce Experience, creating an account might help verify driver updates.
- Review your Task Manager entries—high memory usage (around 300MB) or GPU spikes are normal but worth monitoring.
Let me know if you need more details on any of these options.
There are no adjustments needed in Windows at the moment. For Chrome, uBlock Origin can help reduce ads and improve performance. It’s not necessary to update BIOS unless you’re aware of recent changes. Your system appears quite outdated—your BIOS version is from 2007, which is indeed quite old. Updating it could pose risks, so proceed with caution.
Regarding YouTube lag, it might be related to ads or browser settings rather than the video platform itself. Chrome can sometimes display ads more prominently, especially if you’re not using extensions. Try disabling third-party ads in Chrome settings.
Your PC issues seem tied to graphics performance and stability. The older GPU and BIOS may struggle with modern applications like YouTube. Updating drivers for your graphics card (if available) could help. If problems persist, consider checking Dell Support or contacting their technical team directly.
Cleaning your system and ensuring all software is up to date might resolve some of these concerns. If you’re still experiencing freezes during online games or heavy tasks, a hardware upgrade or professional diagnostics would be advisable.
Visited the Dell support page and used my XPS 15 9550 service code. It lists the model as XPS 15 9550 (77), but for my unit only 28 drivers are available. The items below are critical updates for Dell XPS 15 9550. These are the urgent Dell XPS 15 9550 System BIOS, NVIDIA GeForce/Quadro graphics driver, Intel Management Engine, Intel Thunderbolt Controller, and Intel Serial IO Driver. The recommended updates include Intel Thunderbolt firmware, Alienware updates, Intel BIOS, Intel HD/Iris drivers, ASMedia USB host controller, Intel chipset software, Realtek audio, storage management, and Windows 10 Pro reinstallation support. The list also covers Intel HID event filter, Dell Wireless drivers, Intel Serial IO, Realtek USB audio, and various application updates. After a full Windows 10 Pro clean install, I needed to install specific Wi-Fi drivers like Dell Wireless 1820A/1830. I downloaded several of these but wasn’t sure which ones were essential. I checked the device manager for any remaining warnings before deciding not to install additional recommended updates.
The issues seem like a typical scenario with an older laptop attempting to use Windows. I set up Linux Mint, which significantly improves performance, security, and eliminates the need for virus scanning that slows things down. Another topic you mentioned suggests a focus on safety. You won’t find that level of protection from Windows, which prioritizes collecting your information.
I possess identical Dell laptop specifications; yours isn't an XPS but shares the same GPU and CPU with a 1080p display. It serves as our primary workstation for video, web, and banking tasks, still handling Windows 10 smoothly, even for lighter applications. You’ve shared a lot of details, but it seems you’re not fully considering my advice. The main reason for performance drops is typically overheating. What temperatures are recorded during poker sessions? Consider installing MSI Afterburner to monitor the data. Check idle and load temperatures with tools like HWMonitor. If possible, update all Dell drivers for Windows 10—especially those labeled 2021 or 2022—and install them via the manufacturer’s software. Alternatively, use Dell Update to automate the process. If you’re playing through a browser, clearing extensions might help. I’ve noticed power systems behaving oddly on older machines. Ensure your system has AC power and the battery remains functional; switching to battery during outages can resolve issues. Performance problems often stem from insufficient power delivery.