Lowering Your CPU Usage – A Detailed Guide

Are you experiencing slow performance on your computer or across your network because of high CPU usage? This often happens when you use resource-intensive software like graphic design, video editing, or gaming programs. This can be frustrating to deal with, especially when it’s difficult to figure out exactly what’s causing the problem.

In this article, I’ll explore some solutions to recognize, diagnose, and fix high CPU usage on your computer and across your network.

If you’re experiencing issues with high CPU usage, I have several suggestions to help you optimize your system.

First, identify the resource-intensive processes by opening Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows) or Activity Monitor on macOS to determine the programs or services that are consuming the most CPU.

You can then close or temporarily shut down unnecessary programs and background processes that are using significant resources. Outdated or malfunctioning software can also lead to high CPU usage, so ensure that your operating system and all applications are up-to-date. If a specific program is the culprit, consider uninstalling or updating it. If a program is the culprit on multiple computers on your networks, consider using Group Policy to remove the program from your network.

Additionally, disabling unnecessary startup programs and managing browser extensions, especially those that are poorly optimized, can alleviate CPU strain.

Be mindful of malware or viruses that can run in the background and cause high CPU usage; running a thorough scan with reputable antivirus software will help remove any malicious programs. At the same time, poorly designed antivirus software can strain PC resources, especially if it’s set to scan continuously. If this is the case, consider setting scans to run after hours.

If you’re using a laptop or portable device, adjusting the power settings to a balanced or power-saving mode can limit the processor’s maximum performance, reducing CPU usage. Windows users can also increase virtual memory by navigating through the Control Panel and following the appropriate steps in the Performance Options window.

For machines responsible for video editing or graphic rendering, ensure the software is rendering using the GPU, and not the CPU. GPUs are much better at intense graphical rendering, but in some cases editing software defaults to the CPU.

If these measures don’t alleviate the problem, it could be indicative of outdated hardware. In this case, consider upgrading your CPU, adding more RAM, or replacing other components to boost overall performance.

Keep in mind that CPU usage varies with the tasks you’re performing, and occasional spikes in usage are normal. However, if high CPU usage is consistent or causing bottlenecks, these steps should help enhance your system’s performance.

Remember that CPU usage varies depending on the tasks you’re performing, and it’s normal to see spikes in usage when running demanding applications or performing intensive tasks. However, if your CPU usage remains consistently high or becomes a bottleneck, these steps can help optimize it for better performance.

Ways you can lower CPU Usage

1. Update device drivers Outdated or incompatible device drivers can cause high CPU usage. Visit the manufacturer’s website for your computer or individual components (such as graphics card, network card, etc.) and download the latest drivers. Updating drivers can often resolve compatibility issues and optimize CPU performance.
2. Optimize power settings Adjusting your power plan settings can have a significant impact on CPU usage. On Windows, go to the Control Panel, search for “Power Options,” and select a power plan that emphasizes power saving or balanced performance. On macOS, go to System Preferences, select Energy Saver, and adjust the settings to conserve power.
3. Limit background processes Some applications or services run in the background and consume CPU resources unnecessarily. You can use the Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to identify and disable or uninstall these processes. Be cautious when ending processes, as terminating essential system processes can cause system instability.
4. Manage startup items Many programs launch automatically when you start your computer, consuming CPU resources from the get-go. Review and disable unnecessary startup items to reduce the initial CPU load. On Windows, you can access the Startup tab in the Task Manager or use the “msconfig” command in the Run dialog box. On macOS, go to System Preferences, select Users & Groups, click on your user account, and navigate to the Login Items tab.
5. Adjust visual effects Graphical effects and animations can put a strain on your CPU, especially on older or low-end systems. Adjusting or disabling these visual effects can help reduce CPU usage. On Windows, right-click on the Start button, select System, go to the “Advanced system settings” and navigate to the “Advanced” tab. Click on “Settings” under the Performance section, and choose either the “Adjust for best performance” option or manually disable specific visual effects. On macOS, go to System Preferences, select Dock & Menu Bar, and uncheck unnecessary visual effects.
6. Monitor and manage web browser usage Web browsers, especially with multiple tabs or heavy multimedia content, can consume significant CPU resources. Consider the following tips to optimize browser performance:
7. Use an ad blocker Advertisements can be resource-intensive. Installing an ad blocker can help reduce CPU usage while browsing.
8. Disable or remove unnecessary browser extensions Extensions can add functionality but also increase CPU usage. Disable or remove any unnecessary or resource-heavy extensions.
9. Clear browsing data Regularly clear your browser’s cache, cookies, and history to reduce the strain on CPU resources.
10. Run fewer programs simultaneously Running too many programs simultaneously can overload your CPU. Close any unnecessary programs or background processes to free up CPU resources.
11. Upgrade software If you’re using resource-intensive software, such as video editing or 3D rendering applications, ensure you’re using the latest version. Software updates often include performance optimizations and bug fixes that can reduce CPU usage.
12. Use a lightweight antivirus program Some antivirus programs can be heavy on system resources. Consider using a lightweight antivirus solution or adjusting the settings of your current antivirus software to minimize its impact on CPU usage.

By implementing these additional tips, you should be able to further lower CPU usage and optimize the performance of your system

Why is my CPU usage so high? 

CPU usage tends to increase when you run demanding applications or processes that require a lot of computational power. Examples include video editing software, 3D rendering programs, virtual machines, or games. These applications are designed to utilize the CPU extensively to perform their tasks efficiently.

Certain programs and services run in the background even when you’re not actively using them. They may consume CPU resources to perform tasks such as updates, system maintenance, or data syncing. Examples include antivirus scans, software updates, cloud storage sync services, or system monitoring tools.

Malicious software can run in the background and consume CPU resources without your knowledge. Some types of malware are designed to mine cryptocurrencies, perform distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, or steal sensitive information, all of which can cause high CPU usage.

If your computer’s hardware specifications are outdated or under powered for the tasks you’re performing, it can lead to high CPU usage. For example, running modern software or multitasking on a computer with a slow or older-generation CPU, insufficient RAM, or a fragmented hard drive can strain the CPU and cause high usage.

Outdated or faulty device drivers can lead to high CPU usage. Incompatibilities or errors in drivers can cause the CPU to work harder to communicate with hardware components, resulting in increased usage.

Some software applications may have bugs or inefficient code that causes them to use more CPU resources than necessary. These issues can be present in operating systems, device drivers, or third-party software, and can result in high CPU usage.

Incorrectly configured system settings or power options can lead to higher CPU usage. For example, if your power plan is set to “High Performance” mode, the CPU may run at maximum speed even when not required, resulting in higher usage.

It’s important to identify the underlying cause of high CPU usage to effectively address the issue. By monitoring system processes, updating software and drivers, running antivirus scans, and optimizing system settings, you can often reduce CPU usage and improve overall system performance.

How can I reduce CPU usage on Windows 10?

To reduce CPU usage on Windows 10, you can try the following methods:

1. Identify resource-intensive processes Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc or right-clicking the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager.” In the Processes or Details tab, sort the processes by CPU usage to identify which programs are consuming the most CPU resources. This will help you determine which processes to focus on for optimization.
2. Close unnecessary programs and processes Once you’ve identified resource-intensive processes, close any unnecessary programs or background processes that are consuming a significant amount of CPU resources. Right-click on the process and select “End Task” to terminate it. Be cautious when ending processes, as terminating essential system processes can cause system instability.
3. Update Windows and drivers Keeping your Windows operating system and device drivers up to date is crucial for optimal performance. Windows updates typically include performance improvements and bug fixes that can help reduce CPU usage. To check for updates, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Additionally, visit the manufacturer’s website for your computer or individual components (such as graphics card, network card, etc.) and download the latest drivers.
4. Disable startup programs Some applications launch automatically when you start your computer, contributing to higher CPU usage. To disable startup programs, open the Task Manager and go to the Startup tab. Right-click on unnecessary programs and select “Disable” to prevent them from launching at startup. Disabling startup programs can help reduce the initial CPU load.
5. Adjust power plan settings Windows 10 offers power plans that control the performance and power usage of your system. Adjusting your power plan settings can help reduce CPU usage. Go to Settings > System > Power & Sleep, and click on “Additional power settings” to access the power options. Select a power plan that emphasizes power saving or balanced performance to limit CPU usage.
6. Optimize visual effects Windows 10 includes visual effects such as animations and transparency that can consume CPU resources. Adjusting or disabling these visual effects can help reduce CPU usage. Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Settings (under the Performance section). In the Performance Options window, choose either the “Adjust for best performance” option to disable all visual effects or manually uncheck specific visual effects to customize them.
7. Use efficient web browsers and extensions Web browsing can consume CPU resources, especially with multiple tabs or heavy content. Consider using lightweight web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge and keep them up to date. Additionally, review and disable unnecessary or resource-heavy browser extensions to reduce CPU usage.
8. Adjust virtual memory settings Insufficient virtual memory can cause high CPU usage. To adjust virtual memory settings, go to Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Settings (under the Performance section). In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab and click on “Change” in the Virtual Memory section. Ensure that the option “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” is selected. If not, consider increasing the allocated virtual memory size or select the automatic management option.

If you’ve tried the above steps and your CPU usage remains consistently high, it might be an indication that your hardware is outdated or under powered. Consider upgrading your CPU, adding more RAM, or replacing other components to improve overall system performance.

Don’t Let CPU Limit Your Network Operations

Network administration plays a vital role in optimizing network resources and indirectly helps in lowering CPU usage. Through network monitoring, load balancing, network segmentation, bandwidth management, network optimization, and network security measures, administrators can identify and mitigate factors that contribute to high CPU usage.

By effectively managing network traffic, prioritizing critical applications, and implementing security measures, network administrators can alleviate the strain on CPU resources and enhance overall system performance.