Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) High GPU usage on Windows 10/11

Question

I followed some of the instruction outlined in this post: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/high-gpu-usage-of-desktop-window-manager-dwmexe/f4453ddb-31f7-4765-8510-fc4d9cd9807d

My dwm.exe (Desktop Window Manager) was using a lot of GPU for seemingly no reason. I had an idea as to what the problem could be and I seemed to have remedied this strange problem. While the URL above didn't remedy my issue, the following information did seem to fix it.

PC Information

OS Name	Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
Version	10.0.22000 Build 22000
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 8-Core Processor, 3593 Mhz, 8 Core(s), 16 Logical Processor(s)
BaseBoard Product	PRIME B450M-A
Installed RAM	16.0 GB
Adapter Type	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, NVIDIA compatible

I am running all of the latest drivers. I fully cleaned out all drivers and reinstalled them yesterday. I altered some of Nvidia's Global 3D Settings after I freshly installed all of my drivers.

In the NVIDIA Control Panel → 3D Settings → Manage 3D settings → Global Settings → Click "Restore"

I had adjusted the global settings so that all of my software would use universal settings outlined in this section of the NVIDIA Control Panel. I did this so I wouldn't have to modify several individual programs under the "Program Settings" of this NVIDIA Control Panel.

I changed "Low Latency Mode", "Max Framerate", "Power Management Mode", "Preferred Refresh Rate", "Threaded Optimization", "Vertical Sync" (Specifically to "Fast").

I realized that these global settings are probably affecting the Windows Desktop Rendering, causing spikes of GPU usage as my video card tries to enforce the Global Settings that I arranged.

Simply by clicking the "Restore" button underneath the list of settings, to restore all of the default "Global Settings" parameters, I made the dwm.exe GPU spikes disappear.

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for using our Microsoft Community.

We sincerely thank you for sharing the information. There are indeed many users who are currently experiencing this problem. Your solution is very valuable. We will document the solution you provide to help future users of the forum who have similar issues.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the Microsoft Community Forum.

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Olivia - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

I had the same issue with the same graphic card and drivers from October 2022.

I fully reinstalled fresh drivers and the problem went away immediately.

Answer 3

I had a similar problem with Windows 11.

I disabled kernel isolation and instead of « dwm.exe » , it was the first process in the task manager list that started consuming in turn.

The sort order was for memory.

Answer 4

I can confirm this helped (W10 + Nvidia GeForce 1060)! I've created few screen shots to check what will be reset and it appeared to be "Power management mode". Was "Prefer maximum performance" and was reset to "Optimal power". We love you, Nvidia... :-/

Thanks Sam!