An excessively high CPU usage on a Windows 11 PC will usually result in poor overall performance. Some apps slow down, it takes a long time to switch between windows, and they may even crash. If your CPU usage reaches 100 %, Windows 11 may become unusable, and you may even have to restart your computer.
There are several ways to fix high CPU usage in Windows 11 and this article explains some of the most common causes.
What is the reason for my high CPU usage in Windows 11?
Windows 11 itself uses some of the CPU’s power, as do all the programs you run on your computer. Even high-end CPUs can be overloaded if you try to run too many programs at once. You can run many programs at once on most Windows 11 PCs.
The following are the most common causes of high CPU usage in Windows 11:
- Running too many Softwares/apps: The CPU will become overworked if you run too many high-end games or other processor-hungry apps simultaneously.
- Apps in the background: If you minimize apps instead of closing them, you may end up with a large number of apps running in the background and causing high CPU usage.
- Malware Actions: You will often experience performance issues if your computer is infected with malware. Malware that runs background processes will usually use a lot of CPU time.
- Windows Services: It is possible for Windows services to consume high amounts of CPU for a short period of time or to become stuck and cause prolonged high CPU usage.
- Active Antivirus Issues: Some antivirus programs consume a lot of CPU power while scanning in the background.
What is the process of checking CPU usage in Windows 11?
The performance of your computer will usually tell you if there is a problem with high CPU usage. A high CPU usage may cause tasks that normally take no time at all to take a lot longer, apps not to load, or you’re having trouble switching between apps.
For a definitive answer, you can look at the CPU usage in Windows 11’s task manager.
You can check your CPU usage in Windows 11 laptop / computer by following these steps:
- On your taskbar, click the Search icon.
- In the search results, type task manager and click Task Manager.
- Click on CPU.
- CPU-intensive apps can now be found at the top of the list.
What is the best way to fix 100 CPU usage in Windows 11?
There is no one solution to the problem of high CPU usage in Windows 11 since there are so many causes for it. It is generally possible to fix the problem by closing unnecessary apps or restarting your computer. Some problems require more investigation, however.
You can try the following fixes until you find one that works for you if you’re having trouble with high CPU usage.
Unused apps should be closed. If you are not currently using an app, close it especially if it is taking up a lot of CPU. It will not require you to restart your computer, so it should be the first thing you try.
Pro Tip: Click the CPU column after opening Task Manager to close apps. CPU-intensive apps will appear at the top of the list.
You need to restart your computer: If closing a few apps doesn’t fix your problem, restarting your computer is the next best thing. The problem should be resolved in most cases. Return to this list and try the next fix if the problem recurs.
Install Windows 11 update: Your computer may have a problem with a Windows service or another issue Microsoft resolved. Then you need to download and install the latest Windows 11 updates to fix the problem.
Run a Malware Scan: There may be malware on your computer that’s causing high CPU usage, as well as causing other potentially unnoticed issues in the background. Use the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove it. Complete a full scan with your antivirus software, and then run another antimalware tool such as SUPERAntiSpyware or Malwarebytes.
Make any necessary changes to your antivirus program. Antivirus programs can be helpful, but they can also cause issues with excessive CPU usage.
Try opening the task manager and finding your antivirus in the list of apps to determine if this is the problem. Try uninstalling it and switching to another antivirus if it uses an excessive amount of CPU.
There are plenty of free antivirus programs available, so if yours is causing you problems, you should try another.
Disable Superfetch Service. Certain Windows services, such as Superfetch, use a lot of processing power. In particular, Superfetch pre-loads data for commonly used apps so that they open faster when you open them.
It is possible that this leads to excessive CPU usage, in which case you should disable the service.
Check For Hardware Issues. There are times when hardware problems contribute to high CPU usage. You may have a problem with your power supply preventing the CPU from receiving enough power, or your heatsink may be clogged with dust and cause the CPU to run too hot.
You may be able to fix it by cleaning your PC if it is dust-related.
