High CPU usage when typing a message in Outlook

Question

OS: Win 11 Pro

Office: 2016 Pro

Hi everyone,

CPU activity goes to 16-22% when typing a message in Outlook 2016 and returns to 1 % when typing stops.

Deactivating (all) add-ins and Graphic acceleration did not solve the issue.

Deactivating spell check options did not cure the problem either.

The problem seems to be specific to Win 11 and does not occur on Win 10 OS.

If anyone has any suggestion on how to solve this issue...
PDMC

***moved from Outlook / Windows / Classic Outlook for Windows / For business***

Answer 1

What Office channel is your Outlook? In Outlook click File, Office Account, under About Outlook.

I did some testing today and although subjective I believe I see the CPU spike more starting with build 17726.20126.

To see if you can confirm this, revert to the build below and test. The build in the steps below is for Current Channel. If you are on a different channel let me know what it is, and I will find the appropriate build. Builds available to revert are on this page, Update history for Microsoft 365 Apps (listed by date) - Office release notes | Microsoft Learn. The revert steps should take about five or so minutes and you will need to close the Office apps.

Steps to revert Office to Current Channel build 17628.20110:

1. Open a Command Prompt in Administrator context.
2. Type or paste the two commands into the Command Prompt window and press Enter after each:

cd %programfiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun

officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17628.20110

Alternate command to those above:

"%programfiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17628.20110

Answer 2

I'm still seeing some CPU spiking but not nearly as bad as prior to turning off "check spelling as you type.

I'm on Version 2502 (Build 18526.20086)

Under about it says: current channel

Answer 3

Thank you for sharing the update. Since you are on Current Channel, if you get a chance please try reverting and test with the prior build if you still see the issue. If you do test that build, please re-enable check spelling and text predictions if you disabled it and restart Outlook after making those settings.

Answer 4

I followed your instructions to revert to an older version. I'm now on:
Version 2405 (Build 17628.20110 Click-to-Run)

I restarted "Show text predictions while typing" and "Check Spelling while you type"

I restarted Outlook and typed an email and so far it's acting normally, no increased CPU usage for Outlook while typing. Previously, I was seeing CPU usage up to 7% or 8% and loud fans. In this reverted configuration the CPU usage for outlook never went above 1.5% and the fans did not start.

Your help with this is much appreciated, those of us with a hatred of loud fans were suffering!

Let me know what's next, I would hate for this to revert to a new version with an upgrade and restart the issue!

Rich

Answer 5

Hi Gabriel, I have the same CPU usage issue running v16.0.18324.20240. I've tried turning off "Check spelling as you type", "Mark grammar errors as you type", and "Check Grammar with spelling" but it hasn't worked. Any other suggestions please?