High CPU or GPU Usage While Idle

Your CPU and GPU should generally reduce activity when the system is not doing anything demanding.

Short spikes are normal, but sustained high usage while the PC appears idle may indicate background activity.

1. Open Task Manager

Press:

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Under Processes, sort by:

  • CPU

  • GPU

Identify which application or process is responsible.

2. Give Windows a Few Minutes

After startup, Windows may temporarily perform tasks such as:

  • Windows Update

  • Antivirus scanning

  • Search indexing

  • Application updates

  • Cloud synchronization

Allow the system to settle before determining that usage is abnormal.

3. Check Background Applications

Common applications that can use resources while seemingly idle include:

  • Game launchers

  • RGB software

  • Hardware monitoring software

  • Recording applications

  • Browser processes

  • Wallpaper software

  • Overlays

  • Cloud storage software

Close unnecessary programs and test again.

4. Check GPU Applications

If GPU usage is unusually high, Task Manager can help identify which application is using the GPU.

Recording, video playback, animated wallpapers, browsers, overlays, and hardware-accelerated applications can all use the GPU.

5. Scan for Malware

Unexplained sustained CPU or GPU usage from an unfamiliar process should be investigated.

Run a Windows Security scan if necessary.

6. Check Startup Programs

Disable applications you do not need launching automatically with Windows.

Still High?

Contact EXM Support with a screenshot of Task Manager showing the process responsible for the usage.