[HOW TO] Troubleshoot High CPU Usage by the “System” Process

Experiencing high CPU usage by the “System” process on your Windows computer can cause slow performance and affect overall system responsiveness.

The “System” process is responsible for various operating system tasks and device drivers.

This is how it looks within Windows Task Manager:

This guide will provide you with a step-by-step troubleshooting process to help you identify and resolve high CPU usage issues caused by the “System” process.

Note: Before proceeding with the troubleshooting steps, ensure that you have administrative privileges on your Windows computer.

Identify the Cause

In order to troubleshoot high CPU usage by the “System” process, it is important to first identify the underlying cause.

By using the Task Manager, you can pinpoint the specific service or process responsible for the high CPU usage, allowing you to focus your troubleshooting efforts effectively.

1. Press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager window, click on the “Processes” tab.
3. Locate and right-click on the “System” process.
4. From the context menu, select “Go to Details” (Windows 10) or “Go to Service(s)” (Windows 7/8).
5. This will highlight the associated service(s) or process(es) responsible for the high CPU usage by the “System” process.

Update Device Drivers

Outdated or incompatible device drivers can often lead to high CPU usage by the “System” process.

Updating your device drivers ensures that your hardware components are functioning optimally and can help resolve any conflicts that might be causing the issue.

1. Open a web browser and visit the manufacturer’s website for your computer or motherboard.
2. Look for the “Support” or “Drivers” section and search for the latest drivers for your system’s chipset, network adapter, graphics card, and other hardware components.
3. Download and install the updated drivers for your specific hardware.
4. Restart your computer to apply the driver updates.

Disable Third-Party Drivers

Sometimes, third-party drivers can conflict with the operating system, resulting in high CPU usage by the “System” process.

By disabling these drivers, you can determine if they are the root cause of the problem.

This step helps isolate the issue and allows you to find alternative solutions if needed.

1. Press “Win + R” on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab.
4. Check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services” to exclude them from the list.
5. Disable any third-party services that you suspect might be causing the high CPU usage.
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
7. Restart your computer and check if the high CPU usage by the “System” process has improved.

Disable Automatic Hardware Detection

Automatic hardware detection, performed by the “Plug and Play” service, can sometimes lead to high CPU usage.

By temporarily disabling this service, you can assess whether it is contributing to the problem.

If the CPU usage decreases after disabling this feature, further investigation may be necessary to resolve any conflicts or issues related to hardware detection.

1. Press “Win + R” on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. In the Services window, scroll down and locate “Plug and Play.”
4. Right-click on “Plug and Play” and select “Properties.”
5. In the Properties window, change the “Startup type” to “Manual” or “Disabled.”
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
7. Restart your computer and observe if the CPU usage by the “System” process has decreased.

Scan for Malware

Malware infections can cause high CPU usage by the “System” process.

Conducting a thorough scan with an up-to-date antivirus or antimalware software helps detect and eliminate any malicious programs that may be running in the background, leading to excessive CPU usage.

Removing malware can significantly improve system performance and resolve the high CPU usage issue.

1. Install and update a reliable antivirus or antimalware software on your computer.
2. Perform a full system scan to detect and remove any malware or viruses that may be causing high CPU usage.
3. Follow the software’s instructions to quarantine or remove any threats found.
4. Restart your computer and check if the high CPU usage issue is resolved.

Perform System File Check (SFC) and Disk Check

Corrupted system files or disk errors can also contribute to high CPU usage by the “System” process.

Running the System File Check (SFC) utility checks for and repairs any corrupted system files, while the disk check helps identify and fix issues related to the storage drive.

These steps help ensure the integrity of the operating system and can alleviate high CPU usage caused by file or disk errors.

1. Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. To do this, press “Win + X” and choose “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
2. In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. Wait for the System File Check process to complete, which will scan and repair any corrupted system files.
4. After the SFC process finishes, type chkdsk /f /r (without quotes) and press Enter.
5. You may be prompted to schedule a disk check for the next restart. Type “Y” and press Enter.
6. Restart your computer, and the disk check will run before Windows starts.
7. After the disk check completes, check if the high CPU usage by the “System” process has improved.

Disable Windows Search Indexing (Optional)

The Windows Search indexing service is responsible for cataloging files on your system, making them easier to search.

However, this service can consume a significant amount of CPU resources, leading to high CPU usage by the “System” process.

Disabling Windows Search indexing is an optional step that may be considered if other troubleshooting methods have not resolved the issue and if you can manage without the search indexing feature.

1. Press “Win + R” on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. In the Services window, scroll down and locate “Windows Search.”
4. Right-click on “Windows Search” and select “Properties.”
5. In the Properties window, change the “Startup type” to “Disabled.”
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
7. Restart your computer and observe if the CPU usage by the “System” process remains high.

Wrapping Up

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve high CPU usage issues caused by the “System” process on your Windows computer.

If the problem persists, consider seeking additional assistance from technical support or community forums related to your specific operating system version.

Remember to keep your system updated and maintain regular scans for malware to ensure optimal performance.