Buzz
High CPU usage can indicate several potential issues. If a program consumes too much processing power, it may not be functioning properly. Overloading the CPU could also suggest that the machine is infected with a virus or malware, requiring immediate attention. Alternatively, the computer may simply be unable to keep up with the tasks you are performing, and an upgrade might be necessary.
Steps to follow
Windows
Press .Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc to open Task Manager (Task Management Utility). This tool monitors and reports on all processes and programs currently running on the computer.
Click on the .Processes tab. This will display all the running processes on your computer.
Click on the "CPU" column. It will sort the processes based on CPU usage.
Look for the process consuming most of the CPU. Typically, you'll find one process using nearly 99-100% of the CPU, or two processes using 50% each.
- Many games and multimedia programs can use 100% CPU when running. This is normal as these programs are designed to run on their own.
Note the "Image name" of the process. This will help you search for ways to reduce CPU overload.
- On Windows 8, you can see the full name of the process instead of its system name. This makes identifying the process much easier.
Select the problematic program and click on the .End Process button. You will be asked to confirm if you want to force the program to close.
- On Windows 8, click the End task button.
- Forcing a program to close may cause you to lose any unsaved work. Forcing a system process to terminate may freeze the computer unless it is restarted.
- You don't need to force the "System Idle Process" to close. Even though it may show high CPU usage, it doesn't truly consume much CPU. If System Idle Process is using a lot of CPU, it means your computer has plenty of available processing power.
- If you're having trouble force-closing a program, you can check out additional online resources for more details.
Identify ways to fix a program that is not responding. Search the name of the program you forced to close online. This will help you understand the function of the process and the steps to fix the issue of 100% CPU usage. Here are some common ways to solve the problem of a program consuming too much CPU:
- Uninstall - If the program is unnecessary, uninstalling it is the simplest way to prevent it from slowing down the system.
- Reinstall or update - Sometimes, a bug in the program causes it to consume too much CPU. Reinstalling the program and updating to the latest version from the developer might resolve the issue.
- Remove from startup - If the program is slowing down startup but you still need it, you can prevent it from launching at startup.
- Run antivirus and malware scans - If malware is detected, you need to remove it using antivirus and anti-malware software. This could be a complex process, and you may not be able to remove the virus without reinstalling Windows. You can refer to online guides for details on how to remove viruses and malware.
Check your Power Settings (on laptops). If you're using a laptop without being plugged in, your computer will automatically slow down to save battery. Adjusting the power settings can help boost the processor's performance but will reduce the time between charges.
- Open the Control Panel and select "Power Options." If you can't find this option, click on "Hardware and Sound" and then choose "Power Options."
- Click on "Show additional plans" to expand the list.
- Select "High performance." This option unlocks the full potential of your processor.
Upgrade hardware if every program you open consumes CPU. If your CPU is constantly overloaded with no heavy programs running, it may be time to upgrade your computer's hardware.
- You can use a USB drive to increase available system memory.
- Upgrade your RAM. Adding more RAM reduces the load on the processor.
- Upgrade your processor.
Mac
Open the Activity Monitor. Navigate to the Applications folder > Utilities. Alternatively, go directly to this folder by clicking the "Go" menu and selecting "Utilities."
- The Activity Monitor displays all the processes currently running on your Mac.
Click on the "CPU" column. The processes will be sorted based on their current CPU usage.
Find the process that is consuming the most CPU. Typically, you'll see a program using 99-100% of the CPU, or a couple of programs using around 50% each.
- Many multimedia editing programs use 100% of the CPU while running, especially during encoding, recording, or rendering graphics. This is normal because these programs are designed to fully utilize your processor.
Note down the "Process name" of the unresponsive process. This will help you search for ways to limit its CPU usage online.
Select the offending program and click on "Quit Process." You will be asked to confirm that you want to force the process to close.
- Force quitting a program can cause you to lose any unsaved work. Forcing a system process to quit may cause the machine to freeze until it is restarted.
- If you encounter difficulty ending a process, consult additional online resources for guidance on how to force quit programs on a Mac.
Identify solutions for a non-responding program. Search the name of the program you forced to close online. This helps you understand the purpose of the process and the steps to fix the 100% CPU usage issue. Here are some common methods to resolve a program’s high CPU usage:
- Uninstall - If the program is unnecessary, uninstalling it is the simplest way to prevent it from slowing down the system.
- Reinstall or update - Sometimes, a bug in the program causes it to consume too much CPU. Reinstalling the program and updating to the latest version from the developer might resolve the issue.
- Remove from startup - If the program is slowing down startup but you still need it, you can prevent it from launching at startup.
- Run antivirus and malware scans - If malware is detected, remove it using antivirus software. While Macs are less prone to viruses, they can still encounter them. Malware, however, is more common and can significantly impact your processor. One effective anti-malware tool is AdWare Medic, which you can download for free at adwaremedic.com.
Remove files from the desktop. macOS generates previews for every file on your desktop, and if you store many video files, they can quickly overload your processor, causing Finder to use 100% of the CPU. Move your files into a folder instead, so that your system only slows down when opening that specific folder.
Upgrade your hardware if you're experiencing issues while running any program. If your CPU is constantly at 100% and no specific program seems to be causing the issue, consider upgrading your hardware. Macs have fewer upgrade options than Windows PCs, but you can still upgrade the RAM to improve performance.
- Look for online guides on how to upgrade your RAM. Adding more RAM can ease the burden on your processor.
