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CPU usage is stuck at 100%

Hi.

Recently I ran into the problem of having my CPU usage be at a constant 100%, even if I practically have no applications open (Fig. 1).

My system specs are:

  • Intel Core i7-7700HQ @ 2.80Ghz
  • 16 GB Memory
  • 256 GB NVMe SSD & 2 TB HDD @ 5400rpm
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX1060 6GB GDDR5

So far, I have tried stuff from here: https://fossbytes.com/how-to-fix-high-ram-and-cpu-usage-of-windows-10-system-ntoskrnl-exe-process/

It includes registry edit, manually checking and updating all drivers in 'device manager', defragmenting, and adjusting for 'best performance'.

Reading around makes me think that it is related to a bug from the Windows Creator update. However, I am also unable to revert to a state before the update, because the option doesn't appear to me.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Figure 1.

Figure 2. Left: what I see. Right: what I found on a website.

Hello,

If you're seeing a high CPU usage when there are no programs running this means that there are background features that are consuming it, but on the screenshot that you have provided there's nothing running. For us to provide an accurate resolution, kindly elaborate the issue by answering the questions listed below:

  • Since when have you been experiencing this issue?
  • Did you make any hardware changes on your PC?
  • Were there any changes to your PC before this happened like software or updates installed?

If this issue occurred after an update, we recommend that you perform a repair upgrade. This will repair unusual behaviors on your PC. Here's a forum article created by one of our MVPs Andre Da Costa that you can visit to see how to do it.

We're looking forward to your response.

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I only noticed this issue since approx. 8 hours ago. However, I do not know if this was occurring earlier but I do know it didn't occur last month (so, a recent issue).

The most significant hardware change would have to be my home changing internet providers, with a new router and other things I may not know about.

For software, there hasn't been significant changes, unless some update caused the issue earlier and I had been ignorant of it. The most recent update was on Jan. 5th: "2018-01 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1709 for x64-based Systems (KB4056892)"

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I can't be sure, of course, but my guess is that you are infected with malware.

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I’m not sure. I also ran Malwarebytes and scanned my computer using ESET Smart Security. Is there malware that is hidden from applications such as these?

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We appreciate the information that you have provided. Since your antivirus was unable to detect any malware or virus, we recommend that you schedule a scan using Windows Defender Offline. Here's an article that you can visit to see how to do it: Help protect my PC with Windows Defender Offline.

Kindly update us with the results and if you have further queries, feel free to post back.

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I was able to randomly find a fix on my own after reading around on the internet.

It seems like the issue came from "Power Options" (right clicking on battery icon) and when I "restore default settings for this plan" the CPU usage level dropped down to normal levels.

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thanks for this post would have never found the answer because How can power saving modes affect CPU loading.

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It seems like the issue came from "Power Options" (right clicking on battery icon) and when I "restore default settings for this plan" the CPU usage level dropped down to normal levels.

This solution from WaritC Solved my problem also.

Thanks

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I was able to randomly find a fix on my own after reading around on the internet.

It seems like the issue came from "Power Options" (right clicking on battery icon) and when I "restore default settings for this plan" the CPU usage level dropped down to normal levels.

 Thanks WaritC,

My CPU was stuck at 100% after upgrading to Windows 10 Pro from Windows 8.1 Pro.

I have a Lenovo IdeaCentre K430. I was researching forever about registry hacks, turning off services like Superfetch,

uninstalling chrome. This simple "Power Options" trick did the job, choose the "Balanced (recommended)" option, "Change plan settings", then the "restore default settings for this plan" at the bottom . CPU went right down for 100% to 4%.

I have a tower PC so no battery icon but the fix still works, just type power options in the search box.

Note: I didn't have the high CPU and high disk bug, just high CPU.

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I updated to the new RTX2080 NVIDIA card v416.16, I now have this issue after the computer is in 8 hours of screen saver mode, I relog in and the CPU is stuck at 100% usage I have to reboot to get it unstuck.
IL2 Pilot

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Last updated May 11, 2024 Views 32,178 Applies to: