Windows 10: Desktop Windows Manager high GPU usage persists

Several individuals have reported Desktop Window Manager dwm.exe using unrealistic amounts of GPU for video playback, gaming, or any high graphics intensive activity. Here is a list of just a few of the many requests for support on this issue:


Example 1


Example 2


Example 3


Example 4


Example 5


It has been a few years now that this problem has been reported, are there any accepted fixes. From what I gather, even those individuals with serious graphics cards are vulnerable to dwm.exe dominating their available GPU. I myself report this issue, even on games and design software with the settings at a minimum. For example, Java will be using ~45% of the available GPU, whereas dwm.exe takes up the remaining ~55%. As stated previously, the result is the entire system halting, not just the game. The mouse will take a few seconds to stutter across the screen, and task manager will take 5+ seconds to even appear.


There have been many suggestions and no results. Is that Microsoft's consensus then? Thank you ahead of time.

:)

 

Desktop Window Manager High GPU Usage in Windows 10

Hey everyone,

i got the same Problem since two days. My PC configuration is a Gigabyte 2070 Super 8GB and a Ryzen 7 3700X and ive got every update from Windows and Geforce experience. I am wondering why Windows doesnt said anything to this Problem after seeing this thread
being 20 Pages Long. Does anybody tried These Solutions
https://appuals.com/fix-desktop-window-manager-high-cpu-usage-dwm-exe/ ?

First i thought the cause is Google Chrome because it made high gpu and Volt usage too but after an uninstall the Problem was still there.

Is there any Suggestion how to solve the Problem. If this link is working please tell me.

 

Desktop Windows Manager (dwm.exe) load GPU too much.

Hi Artur,

In order to help you with the issue about the Desktop Windows Manager (dwm.exe), kindly refer to the troubleshooting suggestions posted by Julie Ram dated January 16, 2018. Click the link below to access her posted troubleshooting steps which have been helpful
to several Community members. This may also be the solution that you are looking for to resolve the issue at hand.

Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) using high usage gpu?


Let us know the result for us to help you further.

Regards.

 

Desktop Windows Manager High GPU Usage (3D)

I started having this issue about 2 weeks ago after I installed a video game. While watching videos, playing games, or having any sort of movement on screen would cause the Desktop Windows Manager GPU usage to jump to about ~35-40% usage on the 3D engine,
in my case, on BOTH 1080TIs. with that kind of usage, I am seeing a massive FPS loss in games and even worse, lag on windows desktop when doing day to day tasks. Prior to two weeks ago, the Desktop Windows Manager would have a 1-3% usage across the
board.

Through some testing, I discovered that the one of the new games I installed required the Microsoft 2013 Redistributable x64 and x86; I think it was .Net. This seem to cause the issue. I tested the installation on my laptop (my laptop did not have this issue
prior) which has a 4k screen and Nvidia GPU and it started to experience the same problem. I believe that there is an incompatibility with the older .Net engine and high dps screens; the Desktop Windows Manger is a sort of fallback probably as a way to maintain
compatibility. When the screen are set to 1080p, the Desktop Windows Manger's GPU usage is far less noticeable.

Unfortunately, uninstalling it and the game did not revert the issue though it did cause some weird behavior in the windows desktop. I still have not solved the issue. Somehow I literally at the point where only do one task at a time on my pc. Given that
it seem to be caused by one set of redistributables and they are Microsoft's, can something can be done about this for the future? Is there something else I missed? This problem only started in the last two weeks and the only change in that time was the installation
of Star Wars Fallen Order and its dependency on 2013 Redistributable.

I am probably going to re-install the OS soon if I cannot find a fix.

Some stuff I have tried:

1. Virus and Malware scans, they came up no hits

2. Re-installed the graphics driver

3. Ensured that the GPUs are NOT in a power saving mode.

4. Lowering the priority of the Windows Desktop Manager in the task manager

5. Lowering screen resolution to 1080p which masted the issue however is not an acceptable solution

Extra info:

OS: Windows 10 Pro, build 1909

CPU: i7 hex-core @ 3.8GHz,

GPU(s): x2 EVGA 1080Ti OC

Screens: x2 Acer Predator x27 (4k @ 144hz)