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How to Fix Power Throttling Issues in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Power throttling in Windows 11 is designed to save battery life and reduce heat by limiting how much power apps and processes can use. While this feature is useful for extending battery life, it can sometimes cause your system or specific apps to run slower than expected. If you notice performance issues or lag, power throttling could be the reason.

Fortunately, fixing power throttling issues in Windows 11 is usually straightforward. You don’t need to be a tech expert to follow the steps outlined here. We will go through simple methods to help you regain full performance on your PC.

This guide will explain each step clearly and include why it matters. By the end, you’ll understand how to manage or disable power throttling based on your needs.

Let’s dive in and get your Windows 11 PC running smoothly again.

Quick Note Before You Begin

  • Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date. Updates often fix bugs related to power management.
  • Check if your device is plugged in or running on battery. Power throttling behaves differently depending on power sources.
  • Identify if the issue happens with all apps or only specific ones. This helps narrow down the cause.
  • Have administrative privileges on your PC, as some steps require changing system settings.

Step 1: Adjust Power Mode Settings

Windows 11 lets you choose different power modes that directly affect performance and battery life. If you are in a power-saving mode, throttling is more aggressive.

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Go to System > Power & battery.
  3. Under Power mode, click the dropdown menu.
  4. Select Best Performance instead of Balanced or Best Power Efficiency.
  5. Close settings and check if your system performance improves.

Why this matters: Choosing “Best Performance” tells Windows to prioritize speed over battery saving, reducing power throttling.

Step 2: Disable Power Throttling for Specific Apps

If some apps are running slower, you can prevent Windows from throttling their power usage.

  1. Open Settings again.
  2. Navigate to System > Power & battery > Battery usage.
  3. Scroll down to find the list of apps and their battery usage.
  4. Click on an app that you want to exclude from throttling.
  5. Toggle off Manage app’s power usage based on battery or similar option.
  6. Repeat for other apps as needed.

Why this matters: This setting allows important apps to run at full capacity without being slowed down to save battery.

Step 3: Modify Group Policy Settings (Advanced)

If you are comfortable with advanced settings, you can disable power throttling globally using Group Policy. This is useful for desktop users who want consistent performance.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor. (Note: This is only available in Windows 11 Pro and above.)
  3. Navigate to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Power Throttling Settings
  4. Find the policy named Turn off power throttling.
  5. Double-click the policy and set it to Enabled.
  6. Click Apply and then OK.
  7. Restart your computer for changes to take effect.

Why this matters: Enabling this policy turns off power throttling completely, which can improve performance but may increase power consumption.

Step 4: Adjust Registry Settings (Alternative Advanced Method)

If you don’t have access to Group Policy Editor, you can use the Registry Editor to disable power throttling.

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlPower
  3. Look for a DWORD named PowerThrottlingOff. If it doesn’t exist, create it:
    • Right-click on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
    • Name it PowerThrottlingOff.
  4. Double-click the PowerThrottlingOff DWORD and set its value to 1.
  5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Warning: Editing the registry can cause serious problems if done incorrectly. Always back up your registry before making changes.

Step 5: Check Your Device Drivers and BIOS

Sometimes power throttling issues are caused by outdated or incompatible drivers, especially for your CPU or chipset.

  • Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it.
  • Expand Processors and System Devices.
  • Right-click each item and select Update driver.
  • Follow prompts to search automatically for updated drivers.
  • Additionally, check your PC manufacturer’s website for BIOS updates and instructions.

Why this matters: Updated drivers and BIOS ensure your hardware communicates correctly with Windows power management, reducing unwanted throttling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is power throttling in Windows 11?

Power throttling is a Windows feature that reduces the power usage of background apps to save battery and lower heat. It limits CPU performance for less important tasks.

Will disabling power throttling drain my battery faster?

Yes, turning off power throttling can increase power consumption, which may reduce battery life. It’s best to disable it only when you need maximum performance.

Can I disable power throttling for all apps at once?

You can disable it globally using Group Policy or the Registry Editor, but this affects all apps and may increase power usage significantly.

Is power throttling the same as CPU throttling?

Not exactly. Power throttling focuses on reducing power to apps based on priority, while CPU throttling can also happen due to temperature or hardware limits.

Why is my PC still slow after disabling power throttling?

Other factors like insufficient RAM, malware, or hardware issues can affect performance. Power throttling is just one potential cause.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and still experience issues, consider the following:

  • Run the Windows Performance Troubleshooter by searching for “Troubleshoot settings” and selecting it.
  • Reset Windows power plans to default by opening Command Prompt as admin and typing:
    powercfg -restoredefaultschemes
  • Contact your PC manufacturer’s support for help with hardware-specific issues.
  • Visit the official Microsoft support page on power throttling: https://support.microsoft.com

Conclusion

Power throttling in Windows 11 is a helpful feature for managing battery life but can sometimes slow down your system or apps. By adjusting your power mode, managing app-specific throttling, or using advanced methods like Group Policy and Registry edits, you can regain full performance when needed.

Always start with simple steps like changing power modes and updating drivers before moving to advanced options. Remember that disabling power throttling may reduce battery life, so use these settings thoughtfully.

By following this step-by-step guide, you can fix power throttling issues and enjoy a smoother Windows 11 experience.

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