'System' process high CPU usage


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10 Home 64bit
       #1

    'System' process high CPU usage


    Hello,

    Since the past 3-4 days the process called 'System' has been constantly using approximately 35% of my CPU. The usage is pretty much constant all the time. Below you can find screenshots from task manager, resource monitor and process explorer.
    In the past I've never seen this, leaving the PC idle dropped the usage down to almost zero, now the CPU is running at full clock 24/7, heating it up ~55C, which is mildly undesirable.

    Attempts done so far to fix the issue, none has worked:
    - Waiting. I leave the PC to run overnight, but it does not seem to help it.
    - Restarting, done multiple times, no effect whatsoever.
    - sfc /scannow, nothing found.
    - Full virus scan, nothing found.
    - The update settings has been set already to not to receive from other pc's. All updates are installed what windows update has to offer.

    PC specs:
    Acer VN7 laptop, running Win 10 Home 64bit. HW: i5-6300HQ, 16GB, GTX960M. All drivers up to date.

    'System' process high CPU usage-system2.png'System' process high CPU usage-system1.png'System' process high CPU usage-system3.png
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, you'll need to do some analysis e.g.
    High CPU utilization by process

    You can also try a process of elimination - does this happen after a clean boot/in safe mode?
    If you can find a situation when it does not occur you may be able to work from there.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 10 Home 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    The issue has seemingly self-repaired, at least for now. I tried to reinstall all the drivers I could, but nothing helped. I waited for another X days due to not having much clue what to do. Eventually I found that the Acer care center or whatever was offering 2 updates to the thunderbolt drivers, which I tried to install. The first one installed ok, but the second one keeps failing with the message "part1 must be installed," even it is. After that failed attempt and several more restarts, the situation is back to normal. For now, that is.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5
    win10 64 bit
       #4

    still a problem


    win10 home 64 bit, version 17134.345, 8Gb ram,

    processor Intel Core i5 6400 Code Name Skylake

    A process PID 4 called system is averaging 25% CPU usage constantly - EXPLORER sluggish and crashing. is this a problem introduced by the October update?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 'System' process high CPU usage-system-process-explorer-2.jpg   'System' process high CPU usage-system-process-explorer.jpg   'System' process high CPU usage-system-process-explorer-1.jpg  
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 896
    windows 10
       #5

    Hi,

    you can record a trace using Windows Performance Recorder so that we can take a look at the call stacks to see what the system process is doing;


    1. Open a command line as an Administrator;
    2. Type the following command in the command line Windows: cd %programfiles(x86)%\Windows Kits\10\Windows Performance Toolkit
    3. When you notice a high CPU usage, type this command "wpr -start generalprofile -start CPU"; this will start trace recording.
    4. Let WPR record a trace for about 1 minute.
    5. Then type this command to stop trace recording "wpr -stop %userprofile%\desktop\MyTrace.etl". The trace file will be created on your desktop.
    6. Compress the resulting file (Important)
    7. Share it through https://www.transfernow.net/en/ or any other file sharing platform.


    If Windows Performance Toolkit is not present on your system, you can download it from this link. After installing it, go back to step 1.
      My Computer


 

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