Momentary pause

Question

I have a new build with a new install of Windows 11 which pauses every minute or so. Whatever I am typing will momentarily stop typing and then catch up. If I am scrolling, then the scroll pauses and then catches up. If I am gaming, momentary pause of the game but it does not catch up (if I hit a button during the pause, it is as if it didn't happen).

I figured it had to be some background program causing this so I stopped almost everything I could and then scrolled on a webpage while I watched Task Manager. When it happens, the CPU has a brief spike which is small (2 or 3% to as high as 12%) and then back down. The program in the Processes Tab which jumps to the top is Windows Explorer.

I have run the system file checker (DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth then sfc /scannow). No issues were found.

I have turned off WiFi and Bluetooth (thinking maybe I was getting some interference). No change in behavior.

Any thoughts on what I can do to fix this annoying problem?

Thanks Windows Build/Version Windows 11 Home Version 21H2 OS 22000.918 Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22000.918.0

Answer 1

No problem at all. It is always (100% of the time) Windows Explorer (the icon is a folder) which pops up. In Safe Mode it stays at 0 except when I open or close a file. In regular mode it pops to the top about every 60 seconds with utilization of about 3% or so and you see a small spike on the performance tab that immediately goes back down. The little pause is always related to this. I have tried closing a bunch of different Background Processes, but have not found one that made it go away. I have not closed any Windows Processes, but many more are open when not in Safe Mode.

Answer 2

I did a clean boot. It happens with everything off except Malwarebytes (it won't let me turn that off). Extending this thought, I checked in Safe Mode and it did not happen. FYI, in Safe Mode I was not connected to the internet as I don't have an Ethernet cable connected (not sure if that mattered but wanted to make sure you knew).

Answer 3

Thanks for the clarification.

You mentioned that you already did a procedure to check if it was some background program. Was it the Clean Boot?

If not, perform a clean boot to see if any third-party program in the background is causing this problem. Follow the instructions carefully.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-t...
If the problem does not occur after a clean boot. In this same article, there is a technique to help you identify which program is causing this in "How to determine what is causing the problem after you do a clean boot".

After finding the cause or if it does not help, return to normal boot as instructed in "Reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting".

Answer 4

All drivers are updated as is the bios (did that the first day but appreciate the thought).

Answer 5

Hi ScottCalder7658.

I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

After you installed Windows on this new build, did you update all the drivers using the installers provided by the computer/motherboard manufacturer?

If not, I suggest that you update all drivers.

Go to the support area of your computer/motherboard manufacturer's website to download the latest drivers. Then install them.

Also, update the motherboard BIOS if necessary. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to apply the update.

If you have a dedicated graphics card (Nvidia/AMD), download the driver using the chip manufacturer's website.

Feel free to ask back any questions.