How to Fix High CPU Usage in Windows 10 (9 Solutions)

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is responsible for executing tasks, and when it reaches 100% usage, Windows may struggle to run smoothly. High CPU usage in Windows 10 can lead to sluggish performance, system freezes, overheating, and decreased battery life in laptops. Well, Several factors such as background applications, faulty drivers, malware, or misconfigured system settings, can contribute to excessive CPU consumption. To address this, you can try closing unnecessary applications, restarting your system, scanning for malware, updating drivers, and disabling startup programs. Here is How to fix High CPU Usage in Windows 10.

How to Fix High CPU Usage in Windows 10

High CPU usage in Windows 10 usually means your computer’s central processing unit (CPU) is working harder than usual, potentially leading to slow performance, lag, and even crashes. Several factors contribute to this issue, including running too many applications, outdated software, malware, or hardware issues.

• Background Applications – Unnecessary apps running in the background can consume excessive CPU power.
• Faulty or Outdated Drivers – Incompatible or corrupt drivers can trigger system resource mismanagement.
• Malware or Virus Infections – Malicious software can run hidden processes that consume CPU cycles.
• Corrupt System Files – Damaged or missing Windows files can lead to abnormal CPU behavior.
• Too Many Startup Programs – Multiple applications launching at startup can overload the CPU.
• System Processes Running Excessively – Certain Windows processes, such as Windows Search Indexer or Runtime Broker, may overuse CPU.

Restart Your Computer

Restarting your system is one of the quickest ways to reduce CPU usage. Over time, background processes accumulate, causing excessive resource consumption. A reboot clears these processes, refreshes system memory, and resets CPU-intensive tasks.

• Click the Start Menu, then select Restart.
• Allow the system to reboot and check CPU usage in Task Manager.

Scan for Malware and Viruses

Malware infections often run hidden background processes that consume high CPU resources. Some types of malware disguise themselves as system files, making them difficult to detect manually.

• Press Win + I to open Settings.
• Navigate to Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
• Select Full Scan or select Microsoft Defender Offline scan for an in-depth check.
• Remove any detected threats and restart your PC.

Disable Unnecessary Background Apps

Many applications run background processes even when not in active use, consuming CPU power. Disabling unnecessary apps frees up CPU resources.

• Go to Settings using the Windows key + I
• Nevigate Privacy then Background apps
• Here toggle off the “Let apps run in the background” switch or individually manage apps in the “Choose which apps can run in the background” section

Disable Startup Programs

Many programs automatically launch when Windows starts, causing high CPU usage. Disabling unnecessary startup applications can significantly improve system performance.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to Open Task manager
• Click on the “Startup” tab, this will show you the list of all the programs that automatically run with the PC startup.
• Right-click on the applications that needn’t to be run at startup and select “Disable”.

• Restart your PC and check if CPU usage decreases.

Adjust Power Plan Settings

Windows power plans can affect CPU performance. Setting the system to High Performance can prevent unnecessary CPU throttling, but for users experiencing excessive CPU usage, choosing Balanced or Power Saver mode can help.

• Press Win + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter.
• Select Balanced or Power Saver instead of High Performance.
• Click Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
• Expand Processor power management > Maximum processor state.
• Set the value to 80-90% and click Apply.

Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Scan

Corrupt system files can cause system processes to behave abnormally, leading to excessive CPU usage. Running an SFC and DISM scan can detect and repair these issues.

• First open Command Prompt as Administrator
• First run sfc /scannow command to scan and repair corrupt system files
• Next, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command to repair the Windows system image.
• Let the scanning complete 100%. Once done Reboot your PC and check if this help fix windows 10 high CPU problem.

Disable Windows Search Indexing

Windows Search Indexing continuously scans files and folders to improve search speed but can consume high CPU resources. Disabling it helps few users fix 100 CPU usage on Windows 10.

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Scroll down and locate Windows Search.
• Right-click and select Properties.
• Change the Startup type to Disabled then stop
• Click Apply, then OK, and restart your PC.

Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with essential drivers and services only, it helps identify problematic third-party applications that may consume high CPU.

• Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• Go to the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services.
• Click Disable all, then switch to the Startup tab in Task Manager.
• Disable all startup programs and restart your PC.

If CPU usage improves, re-enable services one by one to identify the problematic software.

Update Device Drivers

Again outdated or corrupt drivers can cause CPU-intensive tasks to run inefficiently, leading to excessive CPU consumption. Keeping all device drivers updated ensures smooth operation and reduces CPU load.

• Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand Display adapters, Network adapters, and System devices.
• Right-click each device and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
• Restart your PC after updating drivers to apply the changes.

Also, you can visit the device manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest driver for Windows 10.

Windows updates often include performance improvements and fixes that can reduce high CPU usage. Open settings, Navigate to Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your PC