Windows 10: CPU Usage Constantly at 100%

When I was running Windows 8.1, I had this same problem. Upgraded to Windows 10, issue persisted, until I reset the PC (August).

After I reset, CPU usage was normal.

A few weeks ago, though, CPU usage has jumped right back up to 100% (per Task Manager).

I've tried running malware/virus scans, updated SSD firmware, looking for resource-hogging processes, and none of it has been conclusive.

Any help ya'll can offer would be very much appreciated!

:)

 

Windows 10 extreme CPU usage

Thanks, but yes I was definitely seeing this issue while that trace was recorded.

Task manager was constantly showing 100% CPU usage and Resource monitor shows silly numbers for the CPU usage (40441489%).

If I sum the numbers under CPU in the Processes tab in Resource monitor, it matches the values shown in the trace (i.e., CPU usage is not 100%, but the charts and summary total at the top of the processes tab are maxed out.

In task manager the CPU usage numbers seem to be normalised to 100%.

i.e. they are constantly changing but seem to always add up to 100%.

I think that the CPU usage reported in the trace is correct, but Task Manager and Resource monitor are doing something wrong?

 

Windows 10 CPU constantly at 100% usage

System Idle Process isn't a real process, that's just an indicator of idle time. Basically that's what % of the the time the CPU is not processing anything. So if you want efficiency and a cool/quite computer, you want the idle process to be as high as
possible.

As for actual usage, if you want to avoid the system fan from having to blow to cool the processor, yypically you'd want your actual CPU usage to be 5% used or less (unless you're actually doing something like music/video/graphics or looking at a webpage
with moving content).

For example, I have hundreds of processing running right now, including video editing program (although it isn't doing anything right now, just sitting open), and my processor is only busy 4% of the time.

So if your CPU is working hard, I'd ask what processes are using it?

 

From personal experience, this usually has to do with drivers... and both Win8 and Win10 have a nasty habit of automatically updating them. Try setting device installation settings to NO. Then find the most recent Win10 released drivers from your computer manufacturer's website to install.

 

Hey Dusty, thanks for the response.

I followed these instructions https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2500967 and it didn't seem to improve performance at all. Perhaps I haven't shut down the proper driver-related background task?

 

i didn't have the same problem, but i noticed that my laptop started to be busy more than usual, then i clicked settings, then privacy and started investigating the background apps, a lot of apps is working in the background so i started choosing the off option, what really made a big difference was the photos, skype video, groove music, and get office, now all is off my laptop is almost back to normal.

 

The main point I was making is that you may have an incorrect driver. You will need to find the correct driver to get it installed. If you have an ASUS board, go to their website: Support Center | ASUS USA


In addition, you can follow this to see if anything helps with performance outright: Optimize Performance of Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

I'll often take a look at task manager to see what processes are hogging everything, and disable most startup items. And scan with an antivirus. And only use performance antivirus programs, such as Avira or avast!. Defender (built-in) works great too.

 

Thanks, I'll look through Privacy settings!

Great, I'll look at ASUS drivers. Also look at the optimizer, thanks for sharing those resources.

What I've already done is looked at task manager, disabled all startup items except for OneDrive, Dropbox, AutoHotKey, and TeamViewer. I've also run both Windows Defender and MalwareBytes scans, no viruses or malware detected. So I'll try your two suggestions above! Thanks again!

 

Hi so I have a similar problem to OP, how ould I go about checking or confirming if it is a driver issue? How would go about identifying which driver is the source of the problem? I have an issue where basically if I open a tab or open any new window period my CPU usage jumps to around 60% and it doesn't seem right to me.

 

^ Just install the latest drivers from Asus (if you have an Asus computer). You'll want the Win 10 drivers. Find them after typing in the name of your motherboard or computer here: Support Center | ASUS USA

 

So I tried downloading the hotfix here Z97-A/USB 3.1 | Motherboards | Asus but it didn't do any good.

I did selective startup via Diagnostic Startup in System Configuration, and there were no problems in CPU usage when I did that. Resumed to normal startup, same issues.

Startup programs: Just Dropbox, OneDrive, and AutoHotKey.





Typical resource hogs:





Honestly this makes no sense.... appreciate the help thus far, hopefully this info helps.

Edit: whoa, quick update. I used a CPU stress tester almost immediately after I posted this, and after it happened, it seems to have fixed the problem... weird, we'll see how long this lasts....