Buzz
How to Identify and Fix High RAM and CPU Usage Caused by KNS
If you've noticed "Killer Network Service" dominating your Task Manager’s CPU usage, you’re not alone. Initially designed to benefit gamers, streamers, and apps that demand a lot of network bandwidth, Killer Network Service (KNS) can sometimes cause more issues than it solves. This guide will explain what KNS is, its common problems, and how to resolve high CPU usage.
What is Killer Network Service and Should You Keep It?
Killer Network Service (KNS) is a tool by Intel that enhances network performance, primarily for users with high-demand tasks like gaming and streaming. If your computer use is more casual and doesn’t involve high-bandwidth applications, such as gaming or streaming services, you can safely disable KNS in the Task Manager.
How to Resolve KNS Issues
Understanding Killer Network Service
Killer Network Service (KNS) is a product from Intel. Only certain Wi-Fi cards are compatible with Killer Networking software, mostly found on gaming or high-performance systems.
- To determine your Wi-Fi card, open Device Manager and click on Network adapters. Your card will be listed there. The latest KNS-compatible cards include:
- Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (i s)
- Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (x w)
- Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 PCIe Card
- Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6E AX1690 (i s)
- Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 (x w)
- Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 (i s)
- Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 (i s)
- Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 (x w)
- Intel® Killer™ Ethernet E3100 2.5 Gbps
- Killer Network Service is not a virus. It's a secure program, often pre-installed on systems with specific Intel hardware. Although it runs in the background to manage network traffic, this may raise concerns for some users. Be aware that malicious apps may mimic KNS with similar names.
How Killer Network Service Works
Killer Network Service optimizes network performance for latency-sensitive applications. This is particularly useful for gamers, ensuring that gameplay doesn’t lag due to background tasks like OS updates. Other latency-critical apps include streaming services, video/audio communication platforms, and tasks requiring real-time responses, like online stock trading.
- In essence, KNS allocates network bandwidth according to the task’s priority. For instance, the game receives more bandwidth priority than a background download.
- KNS is especially valuable for gamers, streamers, and multitaskers, as they are most vulnerable to network interruptions and lag spikes.
Is it Possible to Disable Killer Network Service?
If you don't need KNS, it's safe to disable it. Casual users might not require KNS running in the background, as it consumes additional system resources. Disabling it is simple via the Task Manager!
- Launch Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc), right-click on "Killer Network Services", and select End task.
Common Issues with CPU Usage
Here are some common reasons why KNS might be causing high CPU usage. If your computer feels sluggish or you’re experiencing more stuttering, KNS may be consuming excessive resources, including CPU.
- Excessive network traffic management: If you have several apps using the internet, KNS may be overworked trying to control the network load.
- Outdated software: Running an old version of KNS can negatively affect your computer. Older versions may also struggle to work with newer network protocols.
- Software conflicts: Security programs such as Norton or McAfee may block KNS from operating properly.
- Heavy network usage: Activities that demand high bandwidth, like streaming or gaming, can make KNS work harder to ensure stable network quality.
Common Solutions to Address High CPU Usage
Update Killer Network Service. Generally, updating your PC will automatically update the driver, but you can also manually right-click your driver in "Device Manager" and choose Update.
Disable it if you don’t need it. Temporarily turning off KNS is a great solution for users who don’t often engage in high-bandwidth activities. You can easily disable it via Task Manager!
- Open Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc), locate Killer Network Services (or search for it), right-click, and select End Task.
Use high-performance power settings. By opting for the high-performance mode or creating a custom power plan, more CPU power will be allocated to tasks other than KNS. The location of these settings may vary depending on your version of Windows:
- Windows 11: Navigate to Settings > System > Power & battery > Power Mode and choose "Best Performance."
- Windows 10: Click the battery icon in your taskbar and slide the bar to "Best performance."
Run System File Checker. This scan can help detect and fix any corrupted or missing KNS files.
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to repair any corrupted or missing files after the scan is complete.
Uninstall and reinstall Intel® Killer™ Performance Suite. A fresh installation can often resolve high-CPU usage issues. Follow these steps to perform a clean install:
- Go to Intel’s download page and click Download (compatible with Windows 10 version 1803 and later).
- To uninstall, go to "Apps & Features" in Settings, find Intel Killer Performance Suite, and click Uninstall. Restart your computer.
- Once your system restarts, press Win and type %temp% to open the temp folder. Delete all files in this folder (they’re safe to remove; if a "File cannot be deleted" error occurs, select Skip All). Close the folder.
- Double-click the downloaded file from Intel and select Complete. The installation will include the Intel Killer Performance Suite and device drivers. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup, including downloading additional software from the Microsoft Store.
- Restart your computer after the installation is finished.
Allow KNS to bypass your antivirus. You can add KNS to your antivirus whitelist to ensure it runs smoothly without being blocked by your security software.
- If none of the solutions worked for your Killer Network Service issues, you can always reach out to Intel for further assistance.
