Something many Windows 11 users are complaining about is Windows Explorer using up to 80 to 100% GPU, as shown by the Task Manager. Whether Windows Explorer is being used or not, this problem persists. And even when they try to restart the program, the system crashes. This issue might be caused by several reasons – your graphics card might be too outdated, your Windows is outdated, your system is affected by malware, or some background applications are in use that negatively impacts GPU usage. If you are one of those experiencing this issue, do not worry because this guide provides many easy-to-follow fixes.
How to Fix Windows Explorer High GPU Usage
Tip: You should use Restoro to scan for any registry, repository, or malware damage before trying the following fixes. Restoro will repair and replace any damaged or corrupted files immediately.
Fix #1: Try Updating Windows
Something you might wanna try is, updating your windows to the latest version. Maybe you’ve kept your Windows Updates on hold for too long, or they are supposed to be updated manually. Either way, updating Windows is not difficult; all you have to do is follow these simple steps: Simultaneously press Windows+I, click on windows updates, and press the “Check for Updates” button at the right side of the screen. Wait for the system to check for all the updates; after that’s done, install them and wait, as this is a lengthy process. After all, updates are done, restart your PC and check to see if Windows Explorer still uses 80-100% GPU.
Fix #2: Update Graphics Drivers
You can even try updating your graphics drivers, as these issues might also be caused because your graphics drivers being too outdated. You can update your drivers by following these steps: First, you must turn on safe mode. Once it’s turned on, search for the device manager and click on it. Expand the Display adapter section and right-click on graphics drivers. Right-click on the targeted driver and update the driver. Let the system search for drivers automatically and later follow the on-screen instructions. Once everything is done, restart your computer and see if the issue has been solved.
Tip: Download DriverFix to scan and download all outdated drivers on your system. DriverFix makes fixing such Windows issues faster, easier, and simpler.
Fix #3: Use Clean Boot Process
If this problem started as soon as you installed a certain application, then there is a high chance that the app is causing the issue. To see if this is true, try using Clean Boot, which runs the PC only on necessary programs.
If you do not experience any GPU problems in clean boot mode, it’s confirmed that there is a problem with the third-party app you’ve installed. If updating the Graphics drivers or using clean boot didn’t do the trick for you, then let’s start with the last and final solution.
Fix #4: Uninstall And Reinstall Graphics Drivers
You can do the following steps to uninstall and reinstall the graphics drivers: Once again, turn on safe mode and locate the display driver uninstaller tool and install it. After it’s done, install, and extract the file, launch the 7-zip file and wait for it to extract. Launch uninstaller as administrator, choose the Graphics drivers, and click “clear and restart.”
Once the graphics drivers are uninstalled and the computer has been restarted, head over to the graphic cards manufacturer’s website and install the drivers according to your device. Wait for them to install, then restart your computer and see if the issue has been solved.