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January 5, 2026

Troubleshooting High CPU Usage with Process Hacker

High CPU usage can slow down your system and cause performance issues. Process Hacker provides powerful tools to identify which processes are consuming CPU resources and help you resolve the problem. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Step 1: Launch Process Hacker

Start Process Hacker with administrator privileges for the best results. This ensures you can see all processes and their resource usage.

Step 2: Sort Processes by CPU Usage

Click on the "CPU" column header to sort processes by CPU usage. Processes consuming the most CPU will appear at the top of the list.

Step 3: Identify High CPU Processes

Look for processes with consistently high CPU usage (above 20-30% for extended periods). Common culprits include:

  • Background applications
  • Browser processes
  • Antivirus scans
  • Windows Update processes
  • Malware or unwanted software

Step 4: Use System Graphs

Go to View → System Information (Ctrl+I) and click the "Graphs" tab. Monitor the CPU graph to see overall CPU usage and identify patterns or spikes.

Step 5: Analyze Process Details

Right-click on high CPU processes and select "Properties" to view detailed information:

  • Check the process path and verify it's legitimate
  • Review CPU usage history in the Performance tab
  • Examine threads to see which threads are consuming CPU
  • Check memory usage to identify memory leaks

Step 6: Resolve High CPU Usage

Depending on the process, you can:

  1. Terminate unnecessary processes: Right-click → Terminate
  2. Update software: Outdated software may have CPU bugs
  3. Disable startup programs: Reduce background processes
  4. Scan for malware: Malware often causes high CPU usage
  5. Check for updates: Windows updates may fix CPU issues

Common High CPU Scenarios

Windows Update

Windows Update can cause temporary high CPU usage. This is normal during updates, but if it persists, check for stuck updates.

Antivirus Scans

Full system scans consume significant CPU. Schedule scans during off-hours or pause scans if needed.

Browser Processes

Modern browsers use multiple processes. Close unnecessary tabs or extensions to reduce CPU usage.

Prevention Tips

  • Regularly monitor CPU usage with Process Hacker
  • Keep software updated
  • Disable unnecessary startup programs
  • Use Process Hacker to identify resource hogs early

Conclusion

Process Hacker is an invaluable tool for identifying and resolving high CPU usage issues. By following these steps, you can quickly identify problematic processes and take appropriate action to optimize your system performance.

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