Is your Windows 11 PC running slower than usual? High GPU usage might be the culprit. When your graphics card is overworked, it can lead to lag, overheating, and even program crashes. Let’s explore some effective ways to diagnose and resolve this issue.
Identifying High GPU Usage
Before diving into solutions, it’s crucial to confirm that high GPU usage is indeed the problem.
Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Step 2: Click on the “Performance” tab.
Step 3: Select “GPU” from the left sidebar.
Step 4: Check the GPU usage percentage. If it’s consistently above 80-90% when you’re not running intensive applications, you may have a high GPU usage problem.
Method 1: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are often the root cause of high GPU usage. Updating them can significantly improve performance.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager”.
Step 2: Expand the “Display adapters” category.
Step 3: Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update driver”.
Step 4: Choose “Search automatically for drivers”.
Step 5: If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver manually.
Method 2: Adjust Power Settings
Windows 11’s power settings can impact GPU performance. Switching to a high-performance plan might help balance the workload.
Step 1: Open the Start menu and type “Power Plan”.
Step 2: Click on “Choose a power plan”.
Step 3: Select “High performance” if available. If not, click “Create a power plan” and set it up with high-performance settings.
Method 3: Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration can sometimes cause high GPU usage, especially in browsers and certain applications.
Step 1: Open your browser settings (we’ll use Chrome as an example).
Step 2: Scroll down and click on “Advanced”.
Step 3: Under “System”, toggle off “Use hardware acceleration when available”.
Step 4: Restart your browser.
Repeat this process for other applications that offer hardware acceleration settings.
Method 4: Close Background Applications
Some applications consume GPU resources even when not in active use. Closing these can free up your GPU.
Step 1: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Step 2: Click on the “Processes” tab.
Step 3: Click on the “GPU” column to sort processes by GPU usage.
Step 4: Right-click on high-usage applications you don’t need and select “End task”.
Method 5: Scan for Malware
Cryptomining malware can cause high GPU usage. Running a thorough antivirus scan can help identify and remove such threats.
Step 1: Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
Step 2: Click on “Virus & threat protection”.
Step 3: Select “Scan options”.
Step 4: Choose “Full scan” and click “Scan now”.
Method 6: Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings
If you’re experiencing high GPU usage while gaming, lowering in-game graphics settings can help.
Step 1: Open your game’s graphics or video settings.
Step 2: Reduce settings like texture quality, shadow quality, and anti-aliasing.
Step 3: If available, turn off advanced features like ray tracing or DLSS.
Method 7: Check for Physical Issues
Sometimes, physical problems can cause high GPU usage. Ensure your PC has proper ventilation and the GPU isn’t overheating.
Step 1: Clean your PC’s vents and fans to improve airflow.
Step 2: Use software like MSI Afterburner to monitor GPU temperatures.
Step 3: If temperatures are consistently high (above 80°C under load), consider improving your PC’s cooling system.
By implementing these methods, you should see a noticeable improvement in your GPU’s performance. Remember to monitor your GPU usage regularly and keep your drivers up to date. If problems persist, it might be worth consulting with a professional technician or considering a GPU upgrade.