You’ve probably had times where your PC starts lagging a bit, usually due to high CPU (processing unit or core) usage. Well, the same can happen with the graphics card. In that case, you’ll typically experience either overheating or programs being forced to close. If the issue persists, you might not be able to use the PC like you want to. Here are some common ways to troubleshoot Windows 11 high GPU usage.
How to Check for High GPU Usage
You can ensure that you’re actually running into issues via the Task Manager. It can help you pinpoint the exact app (if any) that’s causing the Windows 11 high GPU usage issue.
You can turn on the Task Manager by right-clicking on the toolbar and choosing that option from the menu or via the “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” keyboard shortcut.
In the “Processes” tab, you can see the “GPU” column, which details which program is taking up most of the GPU’s processing time. If you don’t see the column, right-click on the column header and select “GPU” from the list.
Fix 1 – Check the Physical Card
In some, albeit rare cases, the physical connectors on the card might be misaligned and the graphics card might not be properly registering in the PC’s settings.
Step 1. Disassemble your PC.
Step 2. Carefully check your graphics card for signs of damage. Specifically, look for the PCI connection between the graphics card and the motherboard and whether any of the pins are bent.
If your graphics card is damaged, it’s best to check your warranty and get it fixed or replaced with a certified service.
Fix 2 – Make Sure You Have Enough Cooling
In some cases, an overheating GPU might present itself with high GPU usage. Check your PC case to ensure you’ve got adequate airflow through the case. You may need to clean the dust and debris that caught onto the hardware. To clean the case, use compressed air, which you can buy from hardware store in a can or get a dedicated pump.
Fix 3 – Remove Demanding Programs
If you ran the Task Manager to check which programs are demanding on your PC, you can close them from the Task Manager itself.
Step 1. Open the Task Manager.
Step 2. Go to the “Processes” tab.
Step 3. Click on the “GPU” header to sort all programs by GPU usage.
Step 4. Right-click on a program and select “End task” to close it.
Fix 4 – Adjust Graphics Setting
If you receive a message that your GPU usage is high when playing a game or running a particularly demanding program (such as CAD software), you may need to adjust your graphics settings accordingly. Lower the general quality of the graphics, and you should see a marked improvement with no high GPU usage.
Fix 5 – Check for Malware
Malware, i.e. viruses, are one of the possible reasons why your GPU usage might be high. One of the more famous viruses that can present this way is GPU miner, a background program that mines for Bitcoin, which requires a lot of a PC’s resources.
If the Task Manager can’t determine which program is causing the issue, and yet you have high GPU usage, it’s highly recommended to run your antivirus software. Make sure to use the best possible detection setting to ensure the malware is more likely to get caught and removed.
Fix 6 – Update Graphics Drivers
In some cases, there might be nothing wrong with your system, per se. If you’re playing a newer game, chances are it’s not yet optimized for your exact graphics card model. Card manufacturers and game designers need to work hand-in-hand to deliver the best gameplay experience.
To ensure that you’ve got the best chances of that, make sure to update your graphics drivers whenever possible. You should be able to get new updates through your manufacturer’s dedicated app (AMD Adrenalin or the Nvidia app).
Fix 7 – Disable Hardware Acceleration
In some cases, apps will use your graphics card to improve performance, but glitches can result in taking away too much resources for mundane apps like Microsoft Word. This is called hardware acceleration, and you can disable it to check if it helps. The option is typically only available on devices with a dedicated graphics card.
Step 1. Open Settings.
Step 2. Go to “Display.”
Step 3. Choose “Graphics.”
Step 4. Go to “Change default graphics settings” for the app you want to change.
Step 5. Find “Hardware acceleration” from the list of options and remove it.
You should be able to achieve a similar result through the program’s own settings or the dedicated graphics app.
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