How to Stop 100 Percent CPU Usage
An average computer usually runs while using very little of its processing power. The percentage of processor power will spike during a heavy workload and slowdown when the heavy work is done. At times, a program may stop responding and will eat up an inordinate amount of processing power. Forcing the program closed may fix the problem, but there are times it is even difficult to close the program. There are several steps you can take to fix the problem.
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Instructions
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1
Right-click on any open space on your computer's task bar and click "Task Manager."
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Select "Task Manager" and press "Enter."
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3
Select the "Processes" tab and click on the "CPU" column header. This will put the processes in the order of what is using the most processing power that what is using the least.
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Look for any program that is using the majority of your processing power. If it is a program you installed and not a system program, right-click the program and choose "End Process."
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End the processes of other non system programs if the issue persists. Do not end the process of system functions or you computer will no longer function.
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6
If ending processes does not help, reboot your computer to fix the problem.
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7
If rebooting does not help, perform a system restore by clicking the Windows "Start" menu, typing "restore" into the Search field, and clicking "System Restore" from the search results. Follow the prompts to restore your system files to an earlier restore point.
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Tips & Warnings
To regularly help manage CPU usage, save and close any software applications after an hour of "idleness."
Use caution in deleting any processes, as described in Step 6. Most of these processes are "hidden" and required to run the system; just view the operating processes for awareness.
Use Step 7 as a last resort. While slowing down the CPU speed of your computer will keep it cooler longer, you'll sacrifice some rapidity. On the flip side, how important is it to you? If you set the CPU settings incrementally and then test them, the fine-tuning may help you to better identify your preferences and limitations.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit computer image by Hao Wang from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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worked out for me.
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Epic Fail eHow. Try again. Following your instructions led to NO solution. A reboot works for me and would only require one step instead of seven useless ones.
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imaginashawn
Jan 16, 2011
eHow info usually sucks. I'm in the same boat as Shy, I don't have the things talked about in the article. Maybe next time you should specify which OS. -
Shy Bissar
Sep 29, 2010
This must be for some different OS than Microsoft, because I do NOT see a "Processing Speed scale" in the windows task manager. Or something is not right with the directions listed above at step 6 and 7, there IS no sliding things for "auto" or whatever, Information is missing in the directions.
