The CPU (central processing unit), can also be referred to as the processor. It functions as the brain of the computer. The CPU performs the majority of the tasks on a computer. It receives data or inputs either from the user or an active software, then it processes the data and then gives an output, which might come out as what you see on the screen. However, it can breakdown when it is overloaded with too many operations. These operations might be useful, but they are consuming the CPU power, thereby depriving other programs. You must have experienced the Avast Service High CPU Usage issue, now that is one of the consequences of this problem.
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Why is Avast Service Using High CPU
Avast does not just protect your device from virus, it does a whole lot of other real-time operations which includes removal of virus, cleaning up the computer, and scanning the background. As useful as these tasks are, they make huge use of the CPU, thereby slowing down your system. Also, there are other actions that can cause Avast to use too much of the CPU, and they are as follows: making use of outdated version Of Avast, wrong configuration and system settings. However, Avast has such a good service, but it only develops issues when something goes, especially when the pressure on the CPU becomes much.
So whenever you notice that your system is slowing down, always check the rate of Avast service CPU usage, if it is high, then any of the above listed could be the cause. Do not worry, there is a way to fix it easily. Below, we have listed a few different ways to solve this problem.
Method 1: Install the Latest Version Of Antivirus
For the antivirus tool to keep functioning well, you need to keep it updated. When you keep using an old version of an antivirus, it can complicate things, that is why the manufacturers keep bringing out new versions, so you need to stay updated. To Update your Avast antivirus, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Double click on Avast to open it or you can scroll to the system tray and click on the icon
Step 2. Locate the Update tab on the left side on your computer screen. There re two update buttons, one is for virus definitions and the second is for the actual program
Step 3. Click on both update buttons. You will need to wait while Avast carefully goes through the process of checking for any update. Also, endeavor to follow the instructions that pop up on the screen while Avast is going through the process.
Step 4. Now verify if the CPU usage has gone back to normal
Method 2: Find out if the Avast Screensaver Scanning is Active
Without your knowledge, most times Avast screensaver continues to scan on the background even when the screensaver is not running. This can result in high CPU Usage. Though this may not happen often, the few times it happens is enough to but intense pressure on the CPU. Follow the steps below to solve this problem:
Step 1. Right-click on any file on your computer and scan with Avast
Step 2. A scan result window will show up, revealing every other scan that is currently running.
Step 3. Now Look for the Avast Screensaver scan and stop it
Step 4. Check if the high CPU usage problem has been fixed.
Method 3: Get Rid of the Avast Cleanup
This tool performs many important tasks, and one of them is that it helps to free space that has been taken over by some apps that are running in the background. Most of the tools that do this type of job in real-time, exert lots of pressure on the CPU. So the best option is to uninstall it. Follow the steps below to uninstall it:
Step 1. Navigate to the system tray and click on the Avast icon to open it.
Step 2. Go to Settings and click on Components located on the left side of your screen.
Step 3. Now close to the Component tab, click on the downward-facing arrow, this will reveal options.
Step 4. Scroll down the list to Avast Cleanup
Step 5. Click Uninstall Component and then click ok
Step 6. Avast will ask you to restart your computer. Do that and check if the problem has been resolved.
Bonus – If the problem persists, you can repeat the same process for the Avast behavior shield. The Behavior Shield also acts in a way that puts intense pressure on the CPU. And when the issue is fixed, turn it back on.
Method 4: Repair Avast From Control Panel
If after all these yet things still remain complicated, and nothing is actually working, you might have to consider repairing it from the control panel. It’s like going to the root to fix the problem. This process will most likely reconfigure the software by repairing or totally replacing any file that is either missing, outdated or has been corrupted. After the process, some setting must have changed, so you will have to readjust the settings. You will also need to log in as an administrator to do this. Follow the steps below to do this:
Step 1. Like was mentioned earlier, you need to make sure you log in as an administrator, because the process will require you to delete some programs, and you won’t be able to do that if you are not an admin.
Step 2. Open your Control panel and click on on the top right side, click to view as a category (Press Windows + R key, type control panel to reveal the Control panel).
Step 3. under the Programs section, click Uninstall a program
Step 4. If you are using the Settings app, click on Apps and it will reveal a list of all the programs currently installed in your computer. Select Avast and click on Uninstall/Repair.
Step 5. The uninstall wizard will give you two options, either to Repair and Remove. Select Repair and click Next. This will repair the installation of the program
Step 6. You will get a pop-up message to confirm the process. As expected, Avast will restart itself, which was the original settings before the problem started.
When the installation is complete, click Finish and then Restart Yor PC and check if the error will show again.
See Also: How To Fix Steam Missing File Privileges Error in Windows 10
How To Check Your Avast CPU Usage
If you notice that your system is slowing down, especially when you just finished installing Avast or just did an upgrade of your system, then you might need to check on your CPU usage, though lots of other factors can cause your computer to slow down. Below is the method you can use to check it. The same method can be used to confirm if the above fixes worked for you. To confirm Avast CPU usage, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete buttons altogether to open Task Manager
Step 2. Select the Start Task Manager and the manager will open
Step 3. Select the Processes tab and navigate to Avast, right under CPU you will see a list of the resources currently been consumed.
