Question About finding clues for slow loading on a single device
Question About finding clues for slow loading on a single device
Hello,
I'm reaching out for guidance from the experts. Please forgive if this isn't part of general networking advice—I believe it pertains to a specific machine. It's my primary Windows 10 mid-spec Dell, which I've been using for roughly four years now. Over the past two weeks, numerous websites have become extremely slow or failed to load at all. I've included a screenshot showing what a homepage would look like for several minutes; during that time, the loading indicator would cease after a few minutes and there would be no further attempts to fetch images or content—those grey and white boxes should display images that load within two seconds on most systems. On YouTube, if I managed to reach a particular video page, it might play 10 seconds before encountering a buffer, then after about a minute it could successfully load another 10 seconds, albeit at 240p resolution. However, the download speeds for those links remain unaffected.
The sites that are experiencing significant delays or complete failures include:
- https://www.amazon.co.uk
- RuneScape Classic Wiki
- We are the official RuneScape Classic (RSC) encyclopaedia, written and maintained by the players. Documenting the world of RuneScape Classic, from its inception in 2001 to its shutdown in 2018.
- classic.runescape.wiki
- https://www.youtube.com
I haven't visited Tom's much recently and had to reset my password; during the recovery process on my backup laptop, I encountered issues with Cloudflare verification not appearing. This was quite unusual. Changing browsers didn't help. Some online searches suggested altering DNS settings to match Google's or Cloudflare equivalents, but these changes had no effect.
A few other attempts I made, based on general discussions, included disabling hardware acceleration in the browser and turning off IPv6 settings in the network adapter—both proved ineffective.
Additional details I wanted to share:
- Dell XPS 8940 (direct from Dell), Intel i7-10700K @3.80Ghz (base clock), 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD (about half full) with an unused 1TB HDD as backup. GPU: 6GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti.
- Power supply unit is a Dell model, likely the D500E005P H500EPM-00 0Y7R0X, 500W.
- Peripherals: Cherry Stream keyboard and Logitech M100 mouse. Monitor is an older 5:4 model from Dell (P1913sb).
- The system runs smoothly with other applications; it doesn't feel like a high-end machine given the basic GPU and lack of advanced cooling—just standard Noctua fans.
- Task manager/resource monitor shows no noticeable performance drop, even when running Explorer, Notepad, MS Paint, Firefox, or a video in VLC. CPU usage averages around 7% and RAM usage about 9.5GB out of 16GB, regardless of network connection or webpage load status.
- Ethernet adapter is a Killer E2600 Gigabit Ethernet Controller. I've tried disabling it and using the wireless option, but no improvement.
- Router: Sagemcom FAST5364 from ISP Talktalk, firmware version SG4K100208. Some forum users have mentioned issues since March 2025, but it's possible these are isolated reports.
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated here.
Two more minor observations from other threads I've seen online:
- Disabling hardware acceleration in the browser didn't help.
- Turning off IPv6 settings in network adapter settings also had no impact.
Please let me know if you can assist.
Best regards,
KR
Update your post with complete hardware details and operating system information.
Specify PSU: make, model, wattage, age, condition (original to build, new, refurbished, used).
Detail disk drive(s): make, model, capacity, current usage.
List all connected peripherals.
Mention the modem, router, and any combined modem-router if applicable.
In Task Manager and Resource Monitor, check system performance; use each tool separately but only one at a time.
Begin without browsing, then while browsing. Observe changes in speed when the browser slows down.
Full specifications available, including PSU make and model or part number. Please confirm the age of the PSU and whether it was purchased new, used, or refurbished. Check if slowness occurs when booting into Safe Mode with Networking. Determine if only webpage loading is affected or if the entire system performance is impacted.
My bad there. It's a Dell XPS 8940 bought direct from Dell, with Intel i7-10700K @3.80Ghz (base clock), 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD (about half full) with (unused) 1TB HDD as a backup. The GPU is a 6GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti.
The PSU is a Dell one, made specifically for that unit I think - a 500W D500E005P H500EPM-00 0Y7R0X.
Attached peripherals are a Cherry Stream keyboard and Logitech M100 mouse. In case needed for some reason, the monitor is one of the oldschool 5:4 ones, a Dell P1913sb.
The machine itself runs fine with any other process. I don't describe it as a high-end PC given it's got a relatively basic GPU (that came with the machine) and no snazzy cooling system - just Noctua fans; but the machine's current setup gives crisp performance at most everything - practically hasn't changed over these 4 years in that respect.
The task manager / resource monitor isn't showing any difference in performance that I can see. With a few Explorer, notepad, MS Paint and Firefox windows open, plus a video running in VLC, it's averaging about 7% of the CPU and 9.5GB out of 16GB RAM in use, which isn't changing regardless of having the ethernet plugged in or not, or regardless of whether a webpage is attempting to load or not. I don't see any sluggishness.
The ethernet adaptor is a Killer E2600 Gigabit Ethernet Controller. I've tried disabling that and using the wireless adaptor, but no difference made there. The router is from my ISP Talktalk, a Sagemcom FAST5364 3.00, with firmware version of SG4K100208. In checking that detail, I noticed that some people on the Talktalk forums are talking since March '25 about issues with that latest firmware, but then again probably people are posting about problems with firmware all the time.
I'll try that safe mode idea next.
This actually narrows things down considerably. For one, issue isn't hardware. And for two, OS (kernel) itself is also fine (no corruption). Also, it points the issue towards 3rd party software (or drivers), which are loaded when OS boots normally, thus conflicting with Firefox and slowing it down. Hence why it is fine in Safe Mode, since no 3rd party programs are then run.
Now, things can go into either direction;
1. Finding the needle in a haystack.
2. Clean OS install.
#1 Means trying to figure out what 3rd party program is the culprit. Since OS and it's apps is a big haystack, it will be looking needle(s) in a haystack.
Frankly, i don't quite have a good point where to begin.
There are several options you can try and look into (e.g using Process Explorer to see if you have some strange/bloatware running).
Or start looking into programs that automatically start (e.g using Autoruns to disable/remove auto start-up entries, including scheduled ones).
Another option is disabling all other drivers/programs when you boot to OS (essentially creating Safe Mode situation) and then, one-by-one, enabling drivers/programs. But that takes quite a bit time, since after each enable, you need to do system reboot. (For that, i need to look into some more, since i've done it few times only and need to find out/recall how it was exactly done).
#2 Means formatting OS drive and making a new, clean Win installation. Starting fresh and anew.
This is the fastest and easiest way to fix software issues. It gets rid of all the bloatware and almost all malware as well (except firmware rootkits). Downside is downloading and installing all your currently used apps/programs and possible loss of personal data on OS drive. (For the latter, there is workaround).
So, which one would it be?
Do note that with option #1, all the searching and effort may end up futile, whereby only option #2 is definitive fix.
Edit: Found the method to disable drivers (services), link:
https://www.microcenter.com/tech_center/...windows-10
Idea is, to hide all Microsoft services, then disable everything else, reboot, then, it would be like in Safe Mode and then, enabling each service one-by-one, with reboot and back to OS after each one, while also testing when the Firefox slows down.
It takes
considerable
amount of time to go through the list one-by-one.
Yep Ralston I just attempted to remove the ethernet adapter and restart, which led to an automatic reinstall; nothing changed from that. I didn’t realize it was the problem until I tried turning off the adapter and using the wireless one, but that also didn’t help. It’s strange that only certain websites work for me while others have this issue—almost like they all share a common background detail that my computer reacts to negatively.
Thanks Aeacus for pointing that out and explaining the two options. It seems I’ll need to do some serious troubleshooting then. The machine isn’t very busy with apps or files, but the ones I have are configured in a way that rebuilding everything would take time. Plus, I’ll have to remember all the custom settings to make it feel more like WinXP/Win7 than WinFail. Still, I might have to try anyway. Thanks again; I knew Tom’s team would understand.
I also use the Win7 GUI on top of my Win10 system. The same applies to my wife's setup too.
To do this, I combined OpenShell with OldNewExplorer.
I followed this tutorial:
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/make-wind...-windows-7
Back in the past, when I ran WinXP, I had a Win98 GUI running underneath.
Next year, when I need to upgrade to Win11, I plan to apply the same approach to install a Win7 GUI over it.
Spoiler:
This is how my Win7 GUI appears (click here for details)
At first glance, someone might think I'm using Win7, but the system reports Win10.
XD yes I was starting to wonder about the options there for Win11. If OpenShell can handle those aspects and if there's a fix created for disabling the program grouping shenanigans on the taskbar, then I think I'll face it.