Why Xiaomi RedmiBook 9 is slowing down and how to fix it: the full guide

Xiaomi RedmiBook 9

Most of the time, slowdowns are not due to hardware breakdowns, but to software factors like overloaded OS, application background activity, or outdated drivers. But sometimes, iron is also to blame, such as overheating from a clogged cooling system or wear of the drive. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes and give clear instructions for eliminating them, from simple actions to radical measures.

Before you start "treatment", it is important to determine when exactly the lags appear.

• 🔹 When Windows starts – long boot, black screen
• 🔹 During operation - hanging when opening browser tabs or documents
• 🔹 In games/applications, low FPS, jerks, artifacts
• 🔹 When connecting peripherals - delays when working with the mouse / keyboard

Each case requires a different approach, and we will look at them all.

1. Diagnosis: how to understand what exactly inhibits

Before you fix something, you need to identify a bottleneck. RedmiBook 9 is often the one to blame:

• 🖥️ Processor – 100% loaded due to background software
• 💾 RAM – lack of RAM (typical for the model with 8 GB when working with several programs)
• 📁 Storage — SSD clogged or worn out (especially in budget versions with eMMC)
• 🌡️ Overheating – trottling due to dust or dried thermal paste

To check the system, use the built-in Windows tools:

1. Press Ctrl. + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Performance tab and see the CPU, Memory, Disk download.
3. If some process eats 50%+ Write down the name of the resource (remove or disable it later).

For a deep diagnosis, download the HWiNFO utility (free version).

• Processor/video card temperature (up to 85)°C under load).
• Status. SSD (Health parameter – if it is below 90%, the drive will soon fail).
• Frequency of fans (on RedmiBook 9 should be at least 2000) RPM load-load).

⚠️ Note: If the processor temperature exceeds 90°C to simple: immediately turn off your laptop and clean the cooling system.

Programmatic causes of brakes and their elimination

In 70 percent of cases, the lags are caused by software, not hardware, and let's start with the simplest and safest ways.

Cleaning up the autoload

Many programs are added to the boot without your knowledge and slow down the system to turn off unnecessary ones:

1. Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the Autoboot tab.
3. Sort by column Impact on launch.
4. Disable everything except antivirus and drivers (for example, NVIDIA, Realtek Audio).

The typical "culprits" on RedmiBook 9:

• 🔴 Mi Bluetooth Suite – often hangs in the background, although Bluetooth is not used.
• 🔴 Xiaomi Cloud Sync – synchronizes data with Chinese servers, loads the network.
• 🔴 McAfee/Nod.32 — Antiviruses from third-party vendors may conflict with Windows Defender.

Disable unnecessary programs in Task Manager|

Remove pre-installed software (Mi Store, WPS Office)|

Leave only critical services (antivirus, drivers)|

Restart your laptop to apply changes-->

Disposal of debris and cache

Windows and software leave behind temporary files that take up gigabytes of space over time.

1. Press Win + R, enter cleanmgr and select the C: drive.
2. Check all the boxes and press OK.
3. For deep cleaning, use CCleaner (only download from the official website!).

Pay special attention to the folders:

• 📂 C:\Windows\Temp — time-file.
• 📂 C:\Users\Your name\AppData\Local\Temp — cache of user programs.
• 📂 C:\ProgramData\Package Cache – Remains from installers (you can delete everything).

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from the WinSxS folder, this can break the system. /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore into CMD (on behalf of the administrator).

Updating drivers and BIOS

Outdated drivers are a common cause of lags, especially on RedmiBook 9 Hybrid graphics (Intel) UHD + NVIDIA MX250/350). Check their relevance:

1. Press Win + X → Device Manager.
2. Open the sections Video adapters, Sound devices, Network adapters.
3. If there is a yellow triangle next to the device, right-click. → Update the driver.

For automatic updates, use:

• 🔧 Driver Booster (free version).
• 🔧 Snappy Driver Installer (offline mode for slow internet).

Special attention — BIOS. RedmiBook 9 often comes with updates that fix power and performance management bugs. BIOS:

1. Download the latest version from the official Xiaomi website (choose the model exactly!).
2. Unpack the archive and launch the.exe file on behalf of the administrator.
3. Follow the instructions – do not turn off your laptop during the process.

3. Optimize Windows for Maximum Performance

Even on "clean" Windows 10/11 There are features that slow down budget laptops like RedmiBook 9. Turn off the unnecessary.

3.1 Customization of visual effects

Animations and transparency look beautiful, but they eat up resources.

1. Press Win. + R, enter sysdm.cpl → tab Additional.
2. In the Speed section, click the Settings.
3. Choose to provide the best performance or manually turn off: 🖼️ Animation of windows during curling/deployment 🖼️ Fading or sliding menus 🖼️ Displaying shadows under windows

3.2. Disconnecting services and background processes

Some Windows services can be safely disabled.

1. Press Win + R, enter services.msc.
2. Find and Disable (Double Click) → Launch type: Disabled): 🛑 Superfetch (SysMain) – caches frequently used programs, but on the SSD useless. 🛑 Windows Search – File indexing (if you don’t use the system search). 🛑 DiagTrack – Microsoft Telemetry Collection.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable titled services DCOM, RPC, Plug and Play – This can cause the system to fail.

Switch to Windows 11 Lite or Linux

If the laptop brakes even after all the manipulations, it is worth considering alternative OS:

• 🪟 Windows 11 Lite - a lightweight version without unnecessary components (you can download on litepc.io).
• 🐧 Linux Mint XFCE — Ideal for weak PCs, supports all drivers RedmiBook 9.
• 🪟 Windows 10 LTSC — version without updates and telemetry (suitable for corporate use).

Before installing the new OS:

1. Create a backup of the data to an external disk.
2. Check the compatibility of iron on the distribution site.
3. Install the system in a separate partition (do not erase Xiaomi recovery if you have one).

💡

If you're afraid of losing data, use dual boot: install Linux next to Windows and select the OS when you turn on. To do this, select Set next to Windows Boot Manager when you install it.

Hardware causes of brakes and their elimination

If the software methods didn't work, the problem is the hardware. Consider the typical RedmiBook 9 malfunctions and how to fix them.

Overheating and cleaning of the cooling system

RedmiBook 9 is known for its tendency to overheat due to its compact body and one fan.

• 🔥 The laptop is very warm in the keyboard area (on the left, where the processor is located).
• 🔥 The fan is constantly working at high speeds.
• 🔥 Productivity is falling through 10-15 minutes of work (trottling).

Decisions:

1. Dust cleansing: Unscrew the bottom cover (need a cross screwdriver) PH00). Blow dust off the radiator and fan with a spray of compressed air. Grease the fan with silicone grease (for example, WD-40 Specialist).

Replacement of thermopaste

• Remove the cooling system (unscrew 4 screws around the processor).
• Remove the old paste with alcohol, apply a new one (e.g. Arctic) MX-4).
• Tighten the screws cross-cross so as not to skew the radiator.
• Use of a cooling stand with USB-food (helps to reduce the temperature) 5-10°C).

Decisions:

• 🔧 Disk Optimization: Start defragmentation (for the first time) HDD) or the Optimization Volume command /tieroptimize (for SSD).
• 🔧 Replacement SSD: RedmiBook 9 is supported by M.2 2280 NVMe (e.g, WD Blue SN570 or Crucial P3).
• 🔧 Cloning: Transfer Windows to a new drive using Macrium Reflect (free).