High CPU Surface Pro

Question

Hi!

I own a Surface Pro the i7 model. I noticed that the system process in task manager is taking up around 40%-50% CPU and never go down. Even after I restart the surface and don´t use it, the CPU is still at that level. I would think it could be a Windows update since Microsoft always put out faulty updates but I am not sure. I have not made any changes to my Surface in recent times that I can remember. I can´t find any suspicious background processes and no malware or virus is found. 

***Moved from: Windows 10 / Performance & system failures***

Answer 1

Hi ErringElk827108,

Thank you for reaching out Microsoft Community. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.

 If you already checked the device "Task Manager" and you found out that there's no application with high CPU usage that are still running in the background, this issue could be due to a corrupted system file that keeps on looping around. To check this out, it's best if you can run the system file checker. 

Run the System File Checker

To run the system file checker, kindly type Command Prompt on the search box next to the Windows and run it as an administrator. Type sfc /scannow and hit enter. Let it load,detect and repair those corrupted files.

Whether or not it detects any corrupted system files, you can download this in-place upgrade to re-update the Windows OS of your Surface device. This won't delete the files nor the existing applications you already installed on your Surface. This will just re-update the Windows version and re-download those drivers that are corrupted. Just click "D****ownload Tool Now" and hit Nextonce you see "U****pgrade This PC". Once done, I also recommend to set the battery performance to "Recommended" rather than Best Performance  and check if this makes any difference.

If this answers your question, feel free to mark this post as an answer. Otherwise, don't hesitate to respond to this thread if you need further assistance.

Kind Regards,

Crest_Z

Answer 2

At least at this time it looks like the system process goes up when playing a video with VLC or Windows Media Player. Same thing when I play a video in my web browser. However that is not always the case.

Answer 3

Hi!

I have had continuous problems with my system process taking up most of the CPU usage 40%-50%. Sometimes it peaks very high which create lagging in sound and mouse movement. Sometimes the system process take up almost no CPU and later it goes up and stays there for a while to go back down again. Nothing is changing or happening during the time of the system process going up or down. What could cause this problem? Power mode is in recommended and I have done a new sfc /scannow and it did not find any corrupt files.

Answer 4

Hi ErringElk827108,

That's good to know. My pleasure to assist you. If at anytime you'll be needing our assistance, feel free to reach out Microsoft Community.

Kind Regards,

Crest_Z

Answer 5

Thank you! I did the system file checker scan and it found corrupted files. How ever it did not solve the problem but I re-updated my Windows as you told me and that solved the issue.