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How System Interrupts High CPU Usage in Windows 10?

Having a Personal Computer means you also need to learn the functions of its hardware and software so you can do simple troubleshooting if it crashes down in the future. At least, you know why your computer broke down, and it will be easier for you and your computer technician to locate and instantly fix it in no time.

Many users have been complaining about System interrupts high CPU usage in Windows 10 and mostly are not well aware of this irritating problem on how to troubleshoot or fix it. Please note that no matter how robust your CPU is, there is always something using up its resources.

Task Manager

Let’s read further below as we guide you through the underlying cause of System Interrupts high CPU usage in Windows 10 in your computer and how to fix it.

What is System Interrupts in Windows 10?

What is System Interrupts in Windows 10

As an official component of the Windows (OS) operating system, System Interrupts is like an alert that typically directs the communication between your computer hardware and its system. Interrupts are sent to the CPU like messages or alerts when some hardware or software-related problems need immediate attention from the CPU. The CPU then pauses its current task, saves it, and works what Interrupts requires to do first using an “Interrupt Handler” function. After it completes its job, it will resume back again what it was doing.

Interrupt Handler

System interrupts are one of the programs shown when you open the Windows Task Manager. Although it seems like a process in Task Manager, it’s actually “not” in a traditional sense.  A Windows background processing program works unnoticeably -not until you realize your computer is slowing down. Interrupts aren’t that bad. They fix errors or do simple tasks such as moving your mouse, typing on your keyboard, or even opening your notepad. You will notice it will dramatically raise a small percent from its baseline of 0.1% to 0.2%, or even 0.3%.System interrupts

However, the primary use of your CPU and the operating system is that its processing system interruption should typically not exceed 2-3%, although it may depend from computer to computer. If it’s consuming higher than 10%, there’s an issue within your CPU’s hardware or driver that needs to be addressed.

You can trace back these issues to some external devices, a fast boot, a poorly configured driver, etc.

How to Fix System Interrupts High CPU Usage

So, if your computer is experiencing a fixed high CPU usage caused by System Interrupts, this is a sign that there is an issue with your hardware. This guide will provide you with all the possible solutions to fix System Interrupts high CPU usage problems. We’ll start at the most straightforward methods that might work for you then we’ll go further to the more complex ones if the issues persist.

Basic Methods

Method #1:

Turning Your PC On and Off – To start with, let’s try turning your PC on and off several times. No, it’s not a joke! Sometimes rebooting your PC often works as there are instances that a quick restart can solve some hidden problems in your PC.

Method #2:

Another method is to scan your PC with antivirus software. Viruses could affect system interrupts problems.

Method #3:

Disable or unplug external devices attached to your PC such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, external hard drive, webcam, and so on.

More Solutions

If the above methods did not solve the problem, then let us proceed to the next solution. Take note that the following solutions below will take much of your time and patience.

Solution #1:

Disable USB root hubs. There are instances that USB hardware may also cause System interrupts high CPU problems. Find USB Root Hubs in Device Manager to fix it by following the instructions below.

  • Press Windows logo key + X key, then click Device Manager.

Locating Device Manager

  • Click the Device Manager option from the attached devices on the Power pane to open it, then right click on the Universal Serial Bus controllers.
  • Check first from the Properties which USB Root Hubs for your mouse and keyboard before disabling them.  Locating USB Root Hubs
  • So, when you are through with disabling, restart your PC and see if the system interrupts drops down.USB Root Hubs Properties

Solution #2: 

Update device drivers. Outdated hardware drivers can also cause system interrupts issues. So, check your drivers if they need updates. To update particular hardware, follow these steps:

  • Press Windows logo key, click Settings, then select Update and Security.
  • Proceed to the Windows Updated and see if there are available driver updates.

To update a particular driver, please see the guide below:

  • Press Windows logo key + X key, then click Device Manager (follow solution #1)
  • Click the Device Manager option; right-click the device to choose Update driver
  • Click “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
  • Expand the Device Manager dialog box on your device to select Update Driver.

Locating Device ManagerUpdating Driver Software

Windows will start to detect updates for your device. You can then continue updating other devices using the above steps again. Restart your PC and see if it has solved the system interrupts issue.

Solution #3:

Disable all internal devices. Although updating your device drivers one by one is a tedious task, it would be best to disable individual device drivers by navigating through the tree that is not critical for your PC to locate the real problem with ease. If you deem you can already pinpoint the cause, you can disable it first. Else, consider checking the list below that you might need to disable to locate the cause of system interrupts:

  • Internal sound devices
  • Network adapters
  • Internal modems
  • DSL or ISDN adapters
  • TV tuner cards

Here’s how to disable network adapters

  • Press the “Windows” logo + X key, then click “Device Manager.”
  • Find “Network adapters” from the “Device Manager” menu and expand its dialog.Finding “Network adapters”
  • Then right-click on your network adapter and choose “Properties.”
  • Select the Advanced pane, then under the Property menu, scroll down to ‘Wake on Magic Packet and Wake on pattern match.’

Magic Packet allows your computer to awaken from standby/sleeping mode when it takes the Magic Packet from the local network.locating Properties

  • If you have found them on the dropdown list already, you’ll find another pane for Value on the right-side. There are only two options to be found: Enabled and Disabled. Set the Value one by one to Disabled, then click ok to save your settings.

changing the value

Solution #4:

Disable all sound effects. Every time you are playing music or video files, your Computer’s System interrupts CPU usage and can go up as well. Try disabling the sound enhancement to fix the issue.Disabling all sound effectsSpeaker Properties

The System Interrupts CPU Usage is Still Too High

If the above solutions have failed to solve high CPU usage, then there are two choices left. First, take your PC to a competent computer technician or bring this matter to your computer’s manufacturer to update the PC BIOS. It would be very risky and complicated if you are not an expert.

Need More Informative Tips From Us?

If you want to know more about fixing your computer-related issues, please feel free to visit fastsoftwares blogs, where you can find informative tips to help you with any computer problems in the future.

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