Troubleshooting

Performance Tips

Learn how to optimize WhichNotes for the best possible performance on your device.

Quick Wins

Immediate Improvements

Try these first for instant performance boost:

  1. Close unused tabs - Free up memory
  2. Refresh the page - Ctrl/Cmd + R
  3. Clear browser cache - Remove old data
  4. Update your browser - Latest version performs best
  5. Check internet speed - Run a speed test

Browser Optimization

Recommended Browsers

Best Performance:

  • ✅ Chrome (v90+) - Fastest overall
  • ✅ Edge (v90+) - Great on Windows
  • ✅ Safari (v14+) - Best on Mac
  • ✅ Firefox (v90+) - Good privacy + speed

Performance ranking:

  1. Chrome/Edge (Chromium-based)
  2. Safari (on Mac)
  3. Firefox
  4. Others

Browser Settings

Enable hardware acceleration:

  1. Go to browser settings
  2. Search "hardware acceleration"
  3. Enable if available
  4. Restart browser

Disable unnecessary extensions:

  • Ad blockers can slow things down
  • Try incognito mode to test
  • Keep only essential extensions

Clear cache regularly:

  • Weekly for active users
  • Settings → Privacy → Clear cache
  • Select "Cached images and files"

Device Optimization

System Requirements

Minimum:

  • 4GB RAM
  • Dual-core processor
  • Modern browser
  • 10 Mbps internet

Recommended:

  • 8GB+ RAM
  • Quad-core processor
  • Latest browser
  • 25+ Mbps internet

Free Up Resources

Close other applications:

  • Video streaming
  • Heavy downloads
  • Other browser tabs
  • Background apps

Check system resources:

  • Windows: Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
  • Mac: Activity Monitor
  • Look for high CPU/memory usage
  • Close resource-heavy apps

Storage Space

Ensure adequate disk space:

  • Minimum 1GB free
  • Browser needs cache space
  • Clear downloads folder
  • Remove unused apps

Network Optimization

Internet Speed

Test your connection:

  1. Visit speedtest.net
  2. Check download/upload speeds
  3. Minimum: 10 Mbps download
  4. Recommended: 25+ Mbps

Improve connection:

  • Use ethernet instead of WiFi
  • Move closer to router
  • Restart router
  • Upgrade internet plan

WiFi Optimization

Better WiFi performance:

  • Use 5GHz band (if available)
  • Reduce interference (move router)
  • Update router firmware
  • Limit connected devices

Troubleshoot WiFi:

  • Restart router
  • Forget and reconnect network
  • Check for ISP outages
  • Try mobile hotspot

App-Specific Optimizations

Graph View Performance

If graph is laggy:

  1. Zoom out - Renders fewer details
  2. Close other tabs - Free GPU resources
  3. Reduce note count - Archive old notes
  4. Update graphics drivers - Better rendering
  5. Use simpler view - List view instead

Graph performance tips:

  • Don't keep graph open constantly
  • Switch to list view for browsing
  • Graph works best with <100 notes visible

Search Performance

Faster searches:

  • Be specific with queries
  • Use tag filters
  • Shorter search terms load faster
  • Clear search when done

Search optimization:

  • Index rebuilds automatically
  • Refresh if search seems slow
  • Report persistent slowness

Note Loading

Speed up note loading:

  • Keep notes reasonable length (<5000 words)
  • Avoid excessive formatting
  • Don't embed huge images (not supported yet)
  • Archive very old notes

Data Management

Note Organization

Better performance with:

  • Regular cleanup (delete unused notes)
  • Archive old content
  • Export and remove if not needed
  • Keep active notes <200 for best speed

Tag Management

Tag best practices:

  • Don't create excessive tags (>100)
  • Merge similar tags
  • Clean up unused tags
  • Consistent naming

Export Regularly

Benefits:

  • Backup your data
  • Reduce database size (if you delete after export)
  • Peace of mind
  • Faster app performance

Troubleshooting Slow Performance

Diagnostic Steps

1. Identify the problem:

  • Is everything slow or just one feature?
  • When did it start?
  • Consistent or intermittent?
  • Specific actions that trigger it?

2. Test in incognito:

  • Open incognito/private window
  • Test WhichNotes
  • If faster → Extension issue
  • If same → Different cause

3. Try different browser:

  • Test in Chrome, Firefox, Safari
  • Compare performance
  • Identifies browser-specific issues

4. Check network:

  • Run speed test
  • Try different network
  • Test mobile data
  • Restart router

5. Check device:

  • Close other apps
  • Restart computer
  • Check for updates
  • Scan for malware

Common Performance Issues

Slow page load:

  • Clear cache
  • Check internet
  • Disable extensions
  • Try different browser

Laggy typing:

  • Close other tabs
  • Restart browser
  • Check CPU usage
  • Update browser

Graph stuttering:

  • Reduce visible notes
  • Close graph when not needed
  • Update graphics drivers
  • Use list view instead

Search delays:

  • Be more specific
  • Use filters
  • Clear old searches
  • Refresh page

Advanced Optimizations

For Power Users

Browser flags (Chrome/Edge):

  1. Go to chrome://flags
  2. Enable:
    • Parallel downloading
    • Smooth scrolling
    • GPU rasterization
  3. Restart browser

⚠️ Warning: Experimental features may cause issues

Developer Tools

Monitor performance:

  1. Press F12
  2. Go to Performance tab
  3. Record session
  4. Identify bottlenecks

Network analysis:

  1. F12 → Network tab
  2. Reload page
  3. Check slow requests
  4. Report to support if needed

Custom DNS

Faster DNS resolution:

  • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
  • Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1
  • Can improve loading times

Mobile Performance

Mobile Optimization

For phone/tablet:

  • Use latest browser
  • Close background apps
  • Clear app cache
  • Restart device regularly

Mobile-specific tips:

  • Use WiFi when possible
  • Reduce browser tabs
  • Update OS
  • Free up storage

Note: For best mobile performance, use Chrome or Safari with a stable connection.

Monitoring Performance

What to Track

Key metrics:

  • Page load time (<3 seconds ideal)
  • Note creation speed (<1 second)
  • Search response (<500ms)
  • Graph rendering (<2 seconds)

If slower than above:

  • Follow optimization steps
  • Contact support
  • Provide performance details

Reporting Issues

When reporting slow performance:

Include:

  • Browser and version
  • Device specs (RAM, CPU)
  • Internet speed
  • Specific slow actions
  • Screenshots/videos
  • Console errors (F12)

Best Practices Summary

Daily Habits

✅ Close unused tabs ✅ Clear cache weekly ✅ Keep browser updated ✅ Restart browser daily ✅ Monitor internet speed

Weekly Maintenance

✅ Clear browser cache ✅ Review and delete unused notes ✅ Clean up tags ✅ Export data backup ✅ Check for updates

Monthly Checkup

✅ Deep clean browser data ✅ Update OS and drivers ✅ Review note organization ✅ Archive old content ✅ Performance audit

Performance Checklist

Before contacting support, verify:

  • [ ] Browser is up to date
  • [ ] Cache cleared recently
  • [ ] Adequate RAM available
  • [ ] Good internet connection
  • [ ] No excessive browser tabs
  • [ ] Extensions disabled (test)
  • [ ] Tried different browser
  • [ ] Device restarted
  • [ ] No malware/viruses
  • [ ] Adequate disk space

Hardware Upgrades

If Nothing Else Works

Consider upgrading:

Most impactful:

  1. More RAM - 8GB → 16GB
  2. SSD - If using HDD
  3. Better internet - Faster plan
  4. Modern device - If >5 years old

ROI:

  • RAM upgrade: High impact, moderate cost
  • SSD: Very high impact, low cost
  • Internet: Medium impact, ongoing cost
  • New device: Highest impact, high cost

Future Optimizations

Coming from WhichNotes:

🔜 Performance improvements:

  • Faster AI processing
  • Better graph rendering
  • Optimized search
  • Lazy loading
  • Service worker caching

🔜 Native apps:

  • iOS app
  • Android app
  • Desktop app
  • Offline support

Related Help

Still experiencing slow performance? Contact support with details.

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