How to make browser games run smoother on an older computer or phone

Lag in a browser game usually comes from one of three things: not enough free memory, a busy processor, or a slow connection while the game downloads. The good news is that a few habits fix most problems.

Seven things to try

• Close other tabs and apps. Every open tab uses memory, and some use processing power even in the background.
• Restart the browser. After hours of use, browsers collect leftover memory, and a restart gives you a clean start.
• Update the browser. New versions improve graphics and script performance.
• Turn on hardware acceleration in the browser’s settings if it is off, so the graphics card does more of the work.
• Use full screen. It reduces the number of things the browser has to draw around the game.
• Turn down the quality. If a game has a graphics or quality option, choose low or medium.
• Check your connection. If a game stalls at the loading bar, move closer to the router or switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi.

On phones and tablets

Make sure the device has some free storage, because a full phone slows everything down. Switch off battery-saver mode while you play, since it often limits the processor speed. If the device gets warm, take a break; heat makes phones slow themselves down to protect the battery.

When it is the game, not you

Some games are simply heavy. Large 3D titles can need several hundred megabytes of data, and a device with little memory may not run them well however you set things up. In that case pick a lighter 2D game; many of them are just as much fun.