Windows uses hundreds if not thousands of background processes to function as it does. Many of these processes run to fetch data so that Windows can measure different aspects of your PC.
In this article, we’re talking about the Desktop Window Manager using way too many GPU resources that it should, the reason behind this and what you can do to solve the problem.
What’s the root cause?
Anything from a system file corruption to using a heavy wallpaper or screensaver can cause GPU usage to shoot up when this process is running. The exact reason for the Desktop Window Manager high GPU issue is often unique to the user and hence, hard to pinpoint.
Also read: Getting Windows Ready stuck: 5 Fixes
How to fix this?
Here are a few solutions you can try out to fix the Desktop Window Manager high GPU issue
Fix Display Scaling for apps
Try changing scaling settings for apps to see if that solves your problem.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + I to open Windows Settings. Click on System.
Step 2: Head over to the Display tab and click Advanced scaling settings under Scale and Layout.
Step 3: Disable the Let Windows try to fix apps so they’re not blurry slider.
Restart your computer, and the Desktop Window Manager high GPU issue should be resolved.
Scan for malware
Scanning for any possible malware and removing any found can also help get rid of the issue. Often, malware can hog up your PC’s resources under the pretext of a Windows process.
Also read: Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation: 5 Fixes
Update your GPU drivers
Outdated GPU drivers can also cause this issue in particular. While you should update all your drivers, take special care of your display drivers if you run into an error like this.
Step 1: Right-click Start and select Device Manager from the menu.
Step 2: Under Display Adaptors, find your graphics card’s name, right-click on it and click on Update Drivers.
Step 3: Click on Search automatically for drivers. Windows will then automatically look for and download the latest drivers for your particular GPU.
While this should help resolve the error, in case it doesn’t, click Uninstall device and restart your PC to force Windows to install the required drivers. You can then update them later. Alternatively, you can also remove your GPU and reinsert it if you can.
Run an SFC scan
Corrupt files are the number one reason why your PC might be behaving weirdly. Here’s how you can get rid of them and potentially resolve your issue.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + S to bring up the Cortana/Search box and search for Powershell. Open Windows Powershell from the search results.
Step 2: Type sfc /scannow to scan your system for issues.
Step 3: If the SFC scan finds any problem, use the following command to resolve them.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your PC, and the Video TDR Failure error should’ve been resolved. If that doesn’t help, you can also run a DISM scan to fix any other errors by using this guide. The Desktop Window Manager high GPU issue should be fixed.
Also read: Switching from Windows to Mac? 5 things you need to know
