Why Is Perplexity So Slow?

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Lighten the request

   Copy steps
   1. Switch to the default model
   2. Split multi-part questions into separate searches
   3. Use plain Search instead of Research when you only need a quick fact
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Fix the client

   Copy steps
   1. Close extra tabs and extensions
   2. Try another network
   3. Refresh and retry
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Check status

   1. Open status.perplexity.ai for degraded performance
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Answers take a long time to start or finish, or Research seems stuck.

Why it happens

• Advanced or reasoning model selected
• Complex multi-part query
• Research or agent tasks that run many steps
• Peak hours
• Network or extension slowdown

This guide also covers

• why is perplexity so slow
• perplexity slow
• perplexity taking forever

Other Perplexity errors

• How to Cancel Perplexity Pro or Max Subscription
• Perplexity 'Something Went Wrong' Error
• Perplexity Not Working or Not Loading
• Perplexity Login Not Working
• Perplexity Pro Limit Reached: Why It Happens
• Perplexity File Upload Not Working
• Perplexity App Crashing or Freezing
• Perplexity Wrong Answers and Fake Citations