If your Windows PC is running slowly due to a process called “system interrupts” using a high amount of CPU in Task Manager, it indicates a hardware or driver issue that needs attention.
Before starting the troubleshooting process, you will need administrative access to your computer to run commands and change system settings. Ensure your PC is plugged into a power source before beginning troubleshooting.
Some steps, like uninstalling updates or using System Restore, can affect your system configuration. Always back up important data before performing major system changes.
To identify and resolve the underlying hardware or driver conflict causing high CPU usage from system interrupts, follow these steps:
First, disconnect all external USB devices. Unplug flash drives, external hard drives, USB hubs, and webcams to rule out faulty hardware. If the CPU usage drops, reconnect devices one by one to find the culprit.
Next, check for pending Windows Updates. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install any available updates, as they often contain critical driver fixes.
Install the latest drivers for new hardware. If you recently added a graphics card or other component, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the specific drivers rather than relying on Windows defaults.
End other resource-heavy processes. Open Task Manager, click the CPU tab, and End Task on any non-essential processes consuming high resources.
Scan for malware using an offline scan. Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options > Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
Run the Windows Reliability Monitor. Press Windows Key + R, type perfmon /rel, and press Enter to view critical hardware and software events that coincide with the high CPU usage.
Repair file system corruption. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type chkdsk /f, then press Enter and restart the PC if prompted.
Check the physical health of your drive. Download and run CrystalDiskInfo to verify the status of your hard drive or SSD.
Uninstall recent updates if the issue started immediately after an update. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
Perform a System Restore. Type Control Panel in the search bar, select Recovery > Open System Restore, and choose a restore point dated before the problem began.
If the computer is too slow to troubleshoot normally, boot into Safe Mode to perform these steps with fewer background services running.
Once you have successfully lowered the CPU usage, it is important to monitor your system for a few days to ensure the issue does not return. Keep your drivers and Windows operating system up to date to prevent compatibility issues from arising again.
If you determined that a specific hardware component is faulty, contact the manufacturer’s support team to check your warranty status or order a replacement part. Alternatively, if the issue persists despite all troubleshooting efforts, you may need to consider a clean installation of Windows as a last resort to rule out deep-seated software corruption.
