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How to Fix High CPU Usage Caused by System Interrupts in Windows 11

High CPU usage caused by system interrupts can slow down your Windows 11 computer and affect overall performance. This issue often confuses users because system interrupts are part of the operating system’s normal processes. However, when they consume too much CPU, it usually indicates a hardware or driver problem.

In this guide, you will learn simple and effective steps to identify and fix high CPU usage caused by system interrupts. Each step is carefully explained to make it easy, even if you are not very technical.

By following these instructions, you can improve your computer’s responsiveness and reduce unnecessary CPU load. Let’s start by understanding what you need to check before diving into troubleshooting.

Take your time with each step to ensure the issue is resolved without causing other problems.

Quick Note: What to Check Before You Begin

  • Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date. Sometimes, updates fix bugs related to drivers and system processes.
  • Close all unnecessary applications and background processes to get a clear view of CPU usage.
  • Restart your computer before starting the troubleshooting. This can sometimes fix temporary glitches.
  • Have your device drivers ready to update, especially for hardware like network adapters, audio devices, and graphics cards.

Step 1: Use Task Manager to Confirm High CPU Usage by System Interrupts

First, you need to confirm that system interrupts are indeed causing high CPU usage. Here’s how to check:

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.
  2. Click on the Processes tab if it’s not already selected.
  3. Look for a process named System interrupts. It normally uses less than 2% CPU.
  4. If you see it using more than 10%-20% CPU consistently, this confirms the problem.

System interrupts represent how Windows handles hardware signals. High usage usually means a hardware device or driver is misbehaving.

Step 2: Restart Your Computer and Disconnect External Devices

Sometimes, external devices like USB drives or printers can cause system interrupts to spike. To check this:

  1. Restart your computer.
  2. After it boots up, disconnect all external devices such as USB drives, printers, external keyboards, and mice.
  3. Observe Task Manager again to see if system interrupts CPU usage drops.

If the CPU usage decreases, reconnect each device one at a time to find which one is causing the issue.

Step 3: Update Device Drivers

Outdated or faulty drivers are a common cause of high CPU usage by system interrupts. Updating drivers can fix compatibility problems and improve performance.

Here’s how to update your drivers:

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand each category and look for devices with a yellow warning icon.
  3. Right-click on a device and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look for the latest driver and install it.
  5. Repeat for network adapters, sound devices, and any device you suspect may cause issues.
  6. Restart your computer after updating drivers.

Why this is important: Drivers act as a bridge between hardware and Windows. When they are outdated or corrupted, hardware may send excessive interrupts to the CPU.

Step 4: Disable and Re-enable Devices to Identify the Problem

If updating drivers doesn’t help, try disabling devices one by one to find the culprit:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click on a device (start with network adapters or sound cards) and select Disable device.
  3. Check Task Manager to see if CPU usage for system interrupts decreases.
  4. If it improves, the disabled device is likely causing the issue.
  5. Re-enable the device by right-clicking and selecting Enable device.
  6. Repeat this process for other devices until you find the problematic one.

This method helps isolate hardware problems without uninstalling anything.

Step 5: Check for Hardware Issues

If the problem persists, it might be caused by faulty hardware components such as your hard drive, RAM, or motherboard. You can perform simple checks:

  • Run CHKDSK: This tool checks your hard drive for errors.
    • Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for “cmd” and right-click to choose “Run as administrator”).
    • Type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.
    • You may be asked to schedule a scan on the next restart. Type Y and restart your computer.
  • Run Memory Diagnostic: Check your RAM for problems.
    • Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
    • Choose Restart now and check for problems.
    • Your PC will restart and test your memory. Wait for the process to finish.

If errors are found, consider replacing the faulty hardware or contacting a professional technician.

Alternative Method: Adjust Power Settings

Sometimes, power management settings can cause excessive system interrupts. You can try changing your power plan:

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Go to System > Power & battery > Power mode.
  3. Select Best performance instead of Balanced or Power saver.
  4. Check if this reduces CPU usage by system interrupts.

This adjustment helps ensure hardware devices get enough power to function properly.

FAQs

What are system interrupts in Windows 11?

System interrupts are a special part of the Windows operating system that handles signals from hardware devices. They help manage communication between hardware and software.

Is it normal for system interrupts to use CPU?

Yes, but normally they use less than 2% CPU. High CPU usage usually indicates a hardware or driver problem.

Can a software virus cause high CPU usage by system interrupts?

It is unlikely. System interrupts are hardware-related, but malware could cause indirect issues. Running a virus scan is always a good precaution.

Should I uninstall and reinstall Windows if I have this problem?

This should be your last resort. Try all troubleshooting steps first. Reinstalling Windows may fix the problem but is time-consuming and may cause data loss if not backed up.

Can faulty USB devices cause this problem?

Yes, malfunctioning USB devices or their drivers are common causes of high CPU usage by system interrupts.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the steps above and still face high CPU usage by system interrupts, consider the following final options:

  • Visit the official Microsoft Support website for detailed help and updates.
  • Use Windows 11’s built-in System Restore to revert your computer to a previous state when it was working well.
  • Contact a professional technician to check for hardware faults or perform an advanced diagnosis.

Conclusion

High CPU usage caused by system interrupts in Windows 11 usually points to hardware or driver issues. By methodically checking your devices, updating drivers, and running hardware diagnostics, you can identify and fix the problem.

Remember to start with simple steps like disconnecting devices and updating drivers before moving to advanced checks. This approach saves time and helps avoid unnecessary system changes.

Taking these actions will help your PC run smoothly and improve overall system performance.

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