Imagine your PC is idle, and you arent even allowing any background apps.
But your CPU utilization is hitting the ceiling constantly.
Possibly, your CPU is contaminated by viruses that mostly disguise themselves as default programs.
So, Spotting the specific programs that are eating up the CPU usage is not easy in that situation.
As you know different viruses have different purposes, every virus isnt responsible for high CPU usage.
Is Malware or Virus Responsible for Excessive CPU Utilization?
Viruses and malware are introduced as computer diseases, which will harm the system differently.
Viruses hurt the operating system in most cases.
But physical damage is also serious for several types of malware.
If a virus acquires root-level access, it can be hazardous.
Such resource-hungry virusesincrease usage to 100% consistently.
Such viruses arrive with a distinct objective.
For example,Adware&Malvertisingmalware force users to view ads repeatedly, that appear out of nowhere.
Secondly,Spywarecollects user data by sitting on the system.
And theWormsmodify, copy, and delete computer data unnecessarily.
Trojan malware, Rootkits hide behind the disguise of default software names and operate using hardware resources.
As more of those takes control, more resources are eaten up.
Did you find thepximouse processrunning on Task Manager?
Well we explore whether it is a malicious program that you should remove or not a separate article.
Can Viruses Cause Your CPU Overheating?
Malware like Cryptojacking uses entire hardware resources to mine from the victims devices.
As mining requires high CPU & GPU usage, viruses squeeze more hardware utilization.
As a result, the CPU often hits the ceiling of 100% and produces excessive heat.
Do viruses affect gaming performance?
Surely, some viruses use hardware resources too much that actual programs or games cant access required hardware resources.
Thus, youll notice the performance drop, lag, and stutter while gaming.
How to Detect & Stop Viruses from Causing High CPU Usage?
Symptoms and effects of distinct viruses differ from each other.
Some of those aint actually visible even if you search without the right tool.
But malware like crypto-jacking viruses vigorously affects CPU performance.
Tons of options are available to check whether your CPU is attacked by viruses or malware.
Use Windows Security
By default, Windows Security is a built-in feature integrated by Microsoft.
Its free to use but noticeably persuasive to use.
Almost all types of malware get caught by Windows security in the first place.
Although, you might wonder if yourCPU can get a viruswhile Windows Security is activated.
If you doubt that your PC is attacked by viruses or malware you might verify using Windows Security.
it’s possible for you to allow the quarantined file later if the security app has misread it.
You just have to find it usingRUN.PressWindows+Rand jot down mrt.exe in it.
TheMRTtool will appear right after hittingOKinRUN.
Scan simply with this tool and strike against the viruses accordingly if found.
If you useMalwarebytes and get consistently high CPU usage, just go through our troubleshooting article.
You will find the fixes and the necessary steps to take listed there.
Use Third-Party Antivirus Software
Internet offers a vast quantity of third-party antiviruses, which are better than one another.
Some antiviruses are specialized to remove specific types of malware, which others may not be able to.
Avast, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, Norton, AVG, McAfee, etc.
are some of the popular and most dependable options to try.
Choose either one depending on your requirement and budget.
However, there are also free options with limited facilities.
How can you prevent Virus attacks?
To make your system immune to viruses & malware, you must abide by some simple cautions.
Thesystem interrupt process can give you high CPU usagesometimes.
FAQs
Is 100% CPU usage harmful?
If your CPU usage is 100% sometimes, its common and there is nothing to be worried about.
But if your CPU utilization is high mostly, it will damage the CPU.
Do viruses arrive in computers automatically?
No, It has to be you who let the viruses enter the system by mistake.
Be careful while youre downloading any files or programs, as those might have viruses.
Can a virus be in a CPU?
Computer hardware like CPU, RAM, and GPU dont contain any data.
So, your CPU cant hold any virus.
Does resetting the PC remove viruses?
If your OS is the only infected area then resetting the PC will help.
Final Thoughts
The virus attacks usually arrive for the users foresight and unawarenesses.
Most people are trapped by the urge for free software and files.
