# How to Fix Low GPU Usage **URL:** https://www.compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-fix-low-gpu-usage/ **Author:** Ayushi Chauhan **Published:** 2023-02-01 **Updated:** 2023-02-01 **Categories:** Blogs **Tags:** Best of Best, Blogs Daily, Computer Guides, Computers Tips and Tutorials, Development tips and tutorials, Graphics Tips and tutorials, guiderobert, Guides and Tutorials, guiding12, How To Guide, How To Guides, internet tips and tutorials, Originals How to, Software tips and tutorials, Tips, Tricks, Windows 11, Windows Tips **Reading Time:** 6 min --- The purpose and use of a GPU are two of its more baffling features. For instance, while it assists in displaying an image on your screen, the GPU is not in charge of the overall picture quality and appearance. When performing certain tasks, the CPU is given priority over the GPU. Check for problems and perform troubleshooting if your GPU utilization appears to be lower than it should be. Because you’re using integrated graphics, there’s a driver problem, your [CPU](https://compsmag.com/best/cpus/) is overloaded, or the [game](https://compsmag.com/best/games/) you’re playing isn’t optimized, your GPU usage is very low. Reinstalling drivers, upgrading or overclocking your CPU, and changing some [multiplayer game](https://compsmag.com/best/multiplayer-games/) settings are potential fixes. In the modern era, bottlenecking is not unusual. GPUs used for cryptocurrency mining require a nuclear reactor for power, and CPUs must catch up. However, bottlenecking isn’t always to blame for the odd CPU–GPU usage disparity. Different factors can lead to low [GPU usage](https://compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-know-gpu-usage-in-windows-10-pc/) and high CPU usage. You are probably not taking full advantage of your GPU because you are using the integrated graphics on your computer, the [graphics driver](https://compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-update-graphics-driver/) is broken, your CPU is causing a bottleneck, or the game you are playing isn’t optimized. As a result of the high CPU and low GPU issues that our readers encountered with Warzone, FiveM, [Fortnite](https://compsmag.com/reviews/fortnite-review/), and CyberPunk, we discovered that these issues can arise if you don’t have the most recent version of the game installed. Users have reported high CPU usage in [Windows 11](https://compsmag.com/reviews/windows-11-review/) as well. The problem is present in all versions. ## Ways to Fix Low GPU Usage ### Reinstall the Graphics Driver It’s very likely that your CPU driver and GPU are mismatched, meaning that powerful graphics work with a dated [CPU driver](https://compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-update-cpu-drivers/). In this situation, you can uninstall the current driver and put in the most recent one for your graphics card. Type “device manager” in the search bar and tap Enter. Click on Display Adapters. Right-click on the [graphics card](https://compsmag.com/best/graphics-cards/) driver and select “Uninstall Device. Check “Remove driver software for this device” and click “Uninstall” again. Restart the computer and the new one will be installed automatically. ### Disable Third-Party Background Apps Disabling third-party [software](https://compsmag.com/best/free-software/) in the background can prevent programme interference, making it potentially effective for increasing GPU usage in games. Type “msconfig” in the search bar and run “System Settings”. On the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services” and click “Disable all”. Go to Startup and select “[Open Task Manager](https://compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-open-task-manager-on-windows-11/)“. In the Task Manager startup interface, right-click on the programs and select Disable one by one. ### Install the Patches on Time and Optimize the Game Settings. In order to fix some functional bugs, the game maker regularly releases patches. When new games are released, a few unexpected issues pop up, necessitating the installation of corresponding patches made available by the game developers. After performing that operation, you can attempt to manually optimize the [browser game’s](https://compsmag.com/best/browser-games/) features if GPU usage remains zero. Click on “Settings” of the game and then “Display Settings”. Set the game mode to “Windowed mode” or “Windowed borderless”. Now set graphics according to GPU capacity, build, and other features. ### Update Chipset Drivers Low GPU usage could also be caused by an out-of-date chipset driver, so you must promptly update it. Here’s how to update chipset drivers to resolve the issue of low GPU usage: Type “system information” in the search bar and press Enter. In the pop-up window, look for BaseBoard Product. Your motherboard model is next to it, copy it in text. Navigate to the AMD or Internet website (depending on your CPU). Paste in your motherboard model and press Enter. Download and install the driver. ### Change In-game Settings If the aforementioned techniques don’t help, you can disable all CPU-dependent graphic utilities to make GPU-based ones available in order to fix low GPU usage in games. Disabling VSync and Antialiasing is strongly advised when using high or ultra graphics settings to prevent CPU strain. You can also boost resolution, add more details, and enable Future Frame Rendering to put more strain on the GPU rather than the CPU. ### Decrease the Clock Rate While increasing the clock rate may improve system performance, it can harm your GPU over time. You’d better hold off on raising it for a while. To do this: Access the BIOS Setup Utility from the Windows Startup screen. Press the F9 key to restore factory defaults. Save changes and reboot. ### Reinstall the Game You can try reinstalling the game if none of the other solutions work properly. Although it may be having trouble, the wait is worthwhile. You’ll be able to play the best games without any issues after reinstalling it. Open Settings. Scroll down to find Apps. Under Apps and Features, you will see a list of software. Locate and click on Games. Select Uninstall. Once uninstallation is complete, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the game. ### Disable All Power-preserving Modes Power-preserving modes are also one of the most practical solutions to the problem of low GPU usage, in case you’re still wondering how to fix 0 GPU usage. Press Win + R to launch the Run dialog box. Paste powercfg.cpl into the box and press Enter to open the power options. Select High Performance and confirm this change. Disabling all power saving modes means turning off system and motherboard settings related to reducing power consumption. ### Reinstall Windows Press Win+I to open “Settings”. Click on “Update and Security”. On the “Recovery” tab, under “Reset this PC” select “Start”. Select “Delete All” or “Keep Files” as needed. ## Final Words So here we conclude our article on how to Fix Low GPU Usage. Your GPU doesn’t always operate at maximum capacity. Instead, it customizes its performance based on what you’re doing. It heats up when it is operating at its highest speed. That heat can harm the card in the long run. It isn’t always as high as you might anticipate due to the need to maintain low temperatures and prolong the lifespan of your GPU. If you pay attention to your GPU utilization, you’ll see that when you keep it low, your [computer](https://compsmag.com/best/computers/) performs well most of the time. --- *End of Article*