The processor is running at 100 percent. Eliminate high CPU usage

One of the problems that computer users face is . In this case, the equipment begins to work at the limit of its capabilities and openly freezes. Even if you try to reinstall Windows, there may be no result, and time will be wasted. Who would like this state of affairs?

To get rid of the problem, you need to identify the reason for such a maximum system load. The first thing I can recommend is to go into the task manager and see what program is “tormenting” the computer. It must be stopped and removed or, alternatively, reinstalled.

The cause of a critical situation may be a conflict between this very program and another application, or a virus hidden in the file. Then you should immediately use an antivirus, which should have updated databases. Otherwise, the antivirus program simply will not see the “viral” product and will skip it.

Prices for popular services

We will find and cure all your viruses todayas a rule in 2 hours

Departure + Diagnostics + Repair from 300 RUR.

If the loading is caused by Windows processes, then the task will be more difficult to cope with. Most likely, the svchost.exe process is to blame. The user can see several such processes in the list of running programs. And this is not without reason. Svchost.exe allows services in the form of dll files to use their code in its address space.

Be sure to pay attention so that this file is not launched on behalf of the user. If it is visible in startup, then you have a virus that has nothing in common with Windows.

Let's consider a situation where the virus was not detected. But what in this case overloads the system? It is possible that the reason for this was a banal system update. When a user connects to the Internet, the Windows operating system automatically checks to see if a version needs to be updated and also looks for those updates. This is a very technically labor-intensive process.

The update search request will be run every time until it is found and installed. In this case, there are two options to solve the problem: install updates or disable the request. The latter option is very undesirable, but sometimes it is the only possible solution to make processes more “alive”. To do this, go to Control Panel, select "Windows Update", and then "Customize Settings". Then you need to look for the “Important updates” item and set the format to “Do not check for updates.”

To make sure everything went well, you need to restart your computer and visit the task manager again.

Another possibility could be a process conflict. Here again svchost.exe may appear. The conflict should be resolved by disabling one of the services. There is also a chance to correct the situation by reinstalling the drivers for these “problematic” services.

There is also one not entirely scientific method to solve such a problem: pull out the network cable from the socket and insert it again. It is difficult to understand how this affects the system load, but this method is actively recommended on the Internet.

Also, do not miss the possibility of overheating the processor itself. Here you will need a good master who will disassemble and analyze the “stuffing”. Perhaps replacing the thermal paste will help solve the problem.

Quite often situations occur when users, noticing that their computers are slowing down, to put it mildly, open the task manager and see an interesting picture there. The processor is 100% loaded, although no “heavy” applications are running. It is not known why the processor is fully loaded and causes the PC to slow down and freeze.

In this article we will give some practical advice on how to solve this problem.

Reasons why the processor may be 100% loaded

Now we will list the most likely reasons for the processor being almost completely loaded when there are no running programs or games at first glance.

The work of background system processes to install and download operating system updates, as well as its maintenance;
Viral activity;
Physical obsolescence of the processor.

Now about each in more detail.

Running background system processes

The Windows 7 operating system, like any other, is updated periodically. This process in most cases occurs hidden from the user and the service is responsible for it.

svchost loads the processor

It is also possible that the OS will be periodically checked for threats using built-in security tools.

In fact, it doesn't matter which system service is loading the processor. Something else is important. That it usually lasts no more than a couple of hours. Therefore, the first thing to do when detecting increased activity and processor load is to simply leave the computer for a few hours to give it the opportunity to do all its “maintenance business.”

Viral activity and viruses - miners

The second very common reason why a computer without visible programs loads its processor 100% is unclear - it is malware. For example, the so-called virus miner is now very popular. It gets onto your computer most often when downloading and installing something from the Internet. And the essence of its work is simple - when it hits your computer, special algorithms are launched to mine bitcoins on your computer and send the results via the Internet to a specific address. In this way, attackers make money on your computer, thereby leaving you with a slow computer, since its processor is 100% loaded. At the same time, they are disguised as the names of system processes!

Therefore, if, after several hours of inactivity, your computer has not reduced the processor load, we advise you, and it is better to use several different updated antiviruses.

Obsolescence of the computer and processor in particular

There is also a situation in which the computer is simply outdated and its processor simply cannot cope with the background system tasks of maintaining and protecting the operating system. But this is only possible on really old processors 10 or more years old with 1 core.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are not many possible options. And the method to fix the problem with CPU usage at 100 percent is as follows:

We check the processor to make sure it is not too old;
We leave the computer turned on and connected to the Internet for several hours;
We check it for viruses;
You can also open the task manager, sort processes by CPU load and read about the process that uses the most CPU on the Internet;
As a last resort, if all else fails, reinstall Windows and immediately .

Often the computer starts to slow down due to processor load. If it so happens that its load reaches 100% for no apparent reason, then there is reason to worry and you need to urgently solve this problem. There are several simple ways that will help not only identify the problem, but also solve it. We will look at them in detail in this article.

The CPU load sometimes reaches 100% even when you are not using complex programs or running games. In this case, this is a problem that needs to be detected and solved, because the CPU does not simply overload for no reason. You can do this in several simple ways.

Method 1: Find and eliminate the process

There are times when users do not encounter a problem, but simply forgot to disable a resource-intensive program or are currently running some task. The load becomes especially noticeable on older processors. In addition, hidden miner programs that are not detected by antiviruses are now gaining popularity. The way they work is that they will simply consume your computer's system resources, hence the CPU load. Such a program is defined in several ways:

If you couldn’t find anything suspicious, but the load still doesn’t drop, then you need to check your computer for a hidden miner program. The fact is that most of them either stop working when you launch the task manager, or the process itself does not appear there. Therefore, you will have to resort to installing additional software to bypass this trick.

Please note that it is recommended to use this method only in the case of non-system files, otherwise, deleting a system folder or file will cause problems in the system. If you find an incomprehensible application that uses all the power of your processor, then in most cases it is a hidden miner program; it is better to completely remove it from the computer.

Method 2: Virus cleaning

If some system process is using 100% CPU, your computer is most likely infected with a virus. Sometimes the load is not displayed in the Task Manager, so it is better to scan and clean for malware in any case, it certainly won’t make things worse.

You can use any available method of cleaning your PC from viruses: an online service, an antivirus program or special utilities. More details about each method are written in our article.

Method 3: Update Drivers

Before you start updating or reinstalling drivers, it is better to make sure that this is the problem. Switching to safe mode will help with this. Restart your computer and switch to this mode. If the load on the CPU has disappeared, then the problem is definitely in the drivers and you need to update or reinstall them.

Reinstallation may only be required if you have recently installed a new operating system and, accordingly, installed new drivers. Perhaps some problems arose or something was not installed and/or the action was performed incorrectly. Verification is carried out quite simply, using one of several methods.

Outdated drivers can cause conflicts with the system, which will require a simple update. A special program will help you find the device you need to update, or this can also be done manually.

Method 4: Cleaning your computer from dust

If you begin to observe increased noise from the cooler or involuntary shutdown/reboot of the system, braking during operation, then in this case the problem lies precisely in the heating of the processor. Thermal paste could have dried out on it if it has not been changed for a long time, or the insides of the case have become clogged with dust. First, it’s better to clean the body of debris.

When the procedure does not help, the processor still makes noise, heats up, and the system turns off, then there is only one way out - replacing the thermal paste. This process is not complicated, but it requires care and caution.

In this article, we have selected four methods for you that will help solve the problem of constant 100% CPU load. If one method does not bring any results, move on to the next, the problem definitely lies in one of these common reasons.

A variety of troubles can occur during computer operation, but not all users know how to fix them. One of the most common problems is 100% CPU utilization, when the computer is literally loaded to capacity and stops functioning normally.

What's the problem?

Many people are looking for how to reduce CPU load when their computer starts to slow down very much, as a result of which it is impossible to open applications or use at least those that were launched previously. But at the same time, first you need to figure out what caused such a serious load and how to deal with it.

First of all, you should find out how powerful your processor is. If you bought a relatively cheap computer quite a long time ago, then it may be that it simply cannot handle some resource-intensive applications, and you shouldn’t even think long about why the CPU load is 100 percent. What to do in such a situation? All that remains is to upgrade your PC if you really need some resource-intensive applications or modern games.

But such situations are often isolated, and the main reason most often lies elsewhere.

What else could it be?

If you don't know what to do if the CPU is 100% loaded, try the following:

Open Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab.
Filter all processes by the “CPU” parameter.
See which ones are consuming the most power from your processor and, if possible, disable them.

Most often, the reason for such a heavy load is all sorts of browsers like Google Chrome, in which each individual tab is given its own process, and therefore creates a serious load on the computer. Therefore, if you are looking for how to reduce the CPU load for running some games or programs, just close everything else before activating them.

In extremely rare cases, it happens that one or another program launches the svchost file, which often consumes the entire remainder of the processor and RAM that was available at the moment. When it appears, immediately disable this process and continue to use your PC normally.

One of the most common and least understood problems is CPU usage. 100 percent of its work is taken away by incomprehensible processes and services, which makes using the computer extremely difficult. Why is this happening?

CPU utilization is 100 percent. What to do?

Quite often, computer owners may observe deterioration in performance, delays in response to user actions and other problems after some time of continuous use. Some of the most common reasons that can lead to this include the processor becoming completely overloaded with obscure running processes. The simplest advice is to restart your computer. In some cases it can help. You can advise reinstalling the system, but this is the most extreme method, already included in the category of anecdotal recommendations on most technical forums.

The most common reasons for increased CPU load

There are quite a lot of people who are concerned about this issue. And they are all looking for an effective solution to their problem without using drastic methods. And to do this, it is necessary to understand the reason that could lead to such a situation. If you turn to forums where questions related to such computer behavior occur quite often, you can identify the most common situations:

Running a program or process that uses increased computer resources.
System malfunctions.
due to accumulated dust and insufficient cooling.

Identifying problems and solving them

In order to determine why the interest occurs, you will need to carry out a number of diagnostic procedures. Once the cause has been established or there is reason to choose one thing, you will need to take the actions necessary to eliminate it. Details of what needs to be done in each specific case are discussed below.

Determining the program that loads the processor

The first thing to do when your computer starts to slow down and respond poorly to mouse commands and other actions is to open the task manager. To do this, you can simultaneously hold down the key combination Ctrl, Alt and Del or Ctrl, Shift and Esc, or call the context menu in the taskbar area and find the corresponding item in it.

In the window that opens, you need to select a detailed view so that tabs appear, among which will be the one we need - “Processes”. In it you can see when the CPU load is 100 percent. What to do next in this case?

The tab will display a complete list of all processes that are currently running in the system. By default they are sorted alphabetically, but you can select the CPU usage column to determine which one is causing the problem.

Quite often it happens that a massive program that requires a lot of resources does not unload correctly after closing. As a result, processes remain running and the processor load continues. In this case, just click on the “End task” button to solve the problem. In this regard, rebooting the system, which was recommended at the very beginning, may be effective. Roughly speaking, during it the same removal of tasks occurs. In addition, additional resources are freed up that you may not notice on your own.

The list of processes may also contain unknown ones that were not there before. Moreover, they can also take part in loading the system. This behavior is typical of viruses, so it would be good to know the names and characteristics of the processes that are constantly running on a particular system, and periodically check the list of running ones for suspicious activity.

System malfunctions

The first method does not always allow you to determine the reason why the CPU load is 100 percent. What to do in this case? In practice, it may turn out that the entire load falls on the “System inactivity” item. And in this situation it will not be possible to cancel the task.

The recommendation in this case would be to run the utility, which is distributed by Microsoft completely free of charge. presents an expanded picture of what the task manager is showing. In the situation under consideration, the processor load may be 100 percent due to system interrupts, which in this program are designated as Interrupts. It is difficult to say what exactly is the reason for this behavior unless additional steps are taken.

What can load the processor in the system?

Incorrectly written drivers often lead to this problem. Booting the system using safe mode will help identify this. If the CPU is not experiencing the same load, then with a high degree of probability the reason is in the drivers. You need to look for their new versions, provided directly by the manufacturer of the computer or laptop.

Also, various viruses that have settled in it can lead to such behavior of the system. In this case, you need to run a system scan with antivirus software.

Problems with connected devices may also result in 100 percent CPU usage. What to do about this? The advice is pretty simple. It is enough to disconnect everything from the computer, leaving only the most necessary minimum set of mouse, keyboard and monitor. You should also look into it to check for possible problems there.

If these tips do not help solve the problem, you will have to reinstall the system. It’s good if during the work process rollback points are created to which you can restore if the system was working properly at that time.

Dust accumulation and overheating

Often, loud operation of the cooler and an increase in processor temperature can help determine why the CPU load reaches 100 percent. As a rule, this indicates that it is high time to clean the computer or laptop from accumulated dust and dirt, and replace the thermal paste. This also leads to slowdown and failure of the system. It is recommended to clean at least once a year.