This article explains some of the most common causes of an overtaxed CPU and provides several ways to fix high CPU usage in Windows 11.

Why Is My CPU Usage So High in Windows 11?

Every program you run on your computer takes up some of the processing power of your CPU, including Windows 11 itself. Most Windows 11 PCs can run many programs at once, but it’s possible to overload even high-end CPUs if you try to run too many things simultaneously. Here are the most common causes of high CPU usage in Windows 11:

Running too many apps: You will see high CPU usage if you have too many high-end games and other processor-hungry apps running at once. Background apps: If you minimize apps instead of closing them, you’re likely, over a long period, to end up with enough apps running in the background to cause high CPU usage. Malware: If your computer is infected with malware, you will often experience performance issues. Malware that runs background processes will often cause high CPU usage. Windows services: In some cases, a Windows service will make excessive demands of your CPU for a short time or get stuck and cause extended high CPU usage. Antivirus problems: Some antivirus programs can overload the CPU while scanning in the background. 

How Do I Fix 100 CPU Usage in Windows 11?

Since there are a lot of causes for high CPU usage in Windows 11, there is no one solution to solve the problem. In general, closing unnecessary apps or restarting your computer will fix the problem. In other cases, you will need to dig a little deeper. If you’re having trouble with high CPU usage, then you can try each of the following fixes until you find one that works for you.

How Do I Check CPU Usage in Windows 11?

You can usually tell if you’re having a problem with high CPU usage by the performance of your PC. If tasks that typically take no time at all are taking a lot longer, apps don’t load, or you’re having trouble switching between apps, you may be dealing with high CPU usage. You can check CPU usage in Windows 11 in the task manager to know for sure. Here’s how to check CPU usage in Windows 11: