Windows 10: Desktop Window Manager uses high gpu when playing a game

The Desktop Window Manager uses high gpu 80% when I'm playing a game. This leads to low fps and a bad experience. Even without a game running, it can still use 15% gpu. This only started happening today, and the solutions I've searched don't work. How can I fix this?

Without a game running browser, file explorer, discord open:

With a game running among us + apps listed above:


I use an ASUS ZenBook with a Nvidia Geforce MX150 graphics card. My Windows version is 2004. Usually games can run 60fps no problem.

:)

 

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(DWM.exe) using high GPU

Hi Hasnat,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft community Forums.

In Windows, desktop composition is performed by Desktop Windows Manager. The way applications display pixels on the screen, it is managed by DWM. When desktop composition is enabled, individual windows no longer draw directly to the screen or primary
display device as they did in previous versions of Windows. Instead, their drawing is redirected to off-screen surfaces in video memory, which are then rendered into a desktop image and presented on the display.

The GPU (NVidia) usage of 35-40% by games is absolutely normal, however at the same time Desktop Windows Manager is using the high percentage of Intel GPU, which isn’t normal and it might be the cause of the low FPS.

I suggest to refer to the suggestions given by Reymichael Ros, dated March 2, 2018 on

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

If the above step doesn’t work, you may try setting the NVidia card to maximum performance and disable Intel graphics adapter to see if it works.

• Right click on desktop and select NVidia Control Panel from the context menu.
  
• Now on the left hand pane expand 3D settings.
  
• Click on Manage 3D settings.
  
• Under Preferred graphics processor, select
  High-performance NVidia processor.
  
• Click on Apply.
  

Before disabling the Intel graphics adapter, I would recommend to create a system restore point. Please refer to the article:
Create a system restore point.

• Press Windows key + R. This will open
  Run. Alternatively, you can go to Start and search for
  Run.
  
• In Run dialog box, type devmgmt.msc and hit enter.
  
• Expand Display adapters.
  
• Now right click on the Intel Graphics drivers and click on
  Disable.
  
• Click on OK.
  
• Reboot the computer and check the frame rate.
  

In case disabling Intel graphics adapter does not work, I would suggest to uninstall the Intel graphics drivers completely and install the latest drivers from the Intel support site.

• Press Windows key + R. This will open
  Run. Alternatively, you can go to Start and search for
  Run.
  
• In Run dialog box, type devmgmt.msc and hit enter.
  
• Expand Display adapters.
  
• Now right click on the Intel Graphics drivers and click on
  Uninstall.
  
• Check the checkbox to delete the drivers from the computer and reboot the computer.
  
• Download and install latest drivers from
  
  Downloads for Intel HD Graphics 630.
  

If none of the above methods works, I would encourage you to provide your feedback and suggestions using the Windows 10 Feedback Hub app, so that the Windows developer team has direct access to it.

Send feedback to Microsoft with Feedback Hub

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Peer Samie

Microsoft Community-Moderator

 

Desktop Window Manager High GPU Usage in Windows 10

Hey everyone, people here are discussing multiple different problems, and some of them aren't problems at all.

If you are doing something on your PC, like watching a video or playing a game, the GPU will do some work. This is normal!

Others have experienced high GPU use when the PC is not being used. It is typically the Desktop Window Manager process that consumes the GPU for no obvious reason.

This is the problem that I experienced, and it hasn't reoccurred since I made the registry change explained in my previous post.

I hope that this reply helps someone.