How to Stop CPU Spikes

By Dave Wilson

Reinstall and update programs causing CPU spikes if the issue persists.
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Identify and shut down programs and processes through Task Manager that cause CPU spikes and also disable the Windows Core Parking feature. Windows Task Manager provides per process CPU utilization readings and ability to shut down processes within the same screen. The Core Parking feature lowers CPU power consumption when multiple cores are not required however also causes CPU spikes with some programs. Use the Windows Task Manager and Powercfg utilities to stop CPU spikes and stabilize your computer.

Disable Core Parking

Step 1

Click the Windows “Start” button and type “cmd” in the “Search” box. Right-click the command line icon that appears and click “Run as Administrator.”

Step 2

Type “Powercfg --setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor bc5038f7-23e0-4960-96da-33abaf5935ec 100” at the command line and press “Enter.”

Step 3

Type “powercfg -qh scheme_current sub_processor” at the command line and press “Enter.” Inspect the command line output to confirm that the percentage of CPU cores that will never park is 100 percent.

End Processes

Step 1

Right-click the Windows task bar and click “Task Manager.” Click the “Processes” tab in the “Task Manager” window.

Step 2

Scroll through the list of processes. Note the processes that display momentarily high CPU values over 80 percent in the “CPU” column.

Step 3

Right-click on each high CPU value process noted earlier and click “End Process.” Click “Yes” when prompted to confirm that you want to end the process.

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