CPU usage at all time high

First reported on r/techsupport on June 25, 2026.

Your computer's CPU usage is extremely high, causing lag and freezing when you play games. This problem started 3 days ago, and you're worried it might be a virus.

What it looks like

  • CPU usage at all time high
  • lag and freezing when playing games

How to fix it

  1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on the Performance tab.
  3. Click on Resource monitor.
  4. Look for any processes using high CPU.
  5. Right-click on the process and select End task.
  6. Restart your PC and check if the issue persists.

Affected products

  • Windows

Sources

Search terms covered: cpu usage at all time high, lag and freezing when playing games