Random CPU usage increases

[Phonemelter]

For reasons I cannot tell, the usage on my laptop will occasionally spike to 25-30% or so, causing the fans to spin hard, and will stay like that until I restart the computer. From what I can tell, there are no additional programs/processes running that would cause this spike, so I am at a loss for what to do.  I have had this issue for a while, but been ignoring it until now since its gotten to be pretty annoying (even though it happens maybe once a week).

 

[Jace]

From what I can tell

Elaborate on this bit, please. What ways have you used to look it up? Task manager? Process Explorer? Other?
Also, is it just a short spike or will it remain in use until reboot? Also, what usage exactly? Cpu? Ram? Gpu?

 

[Phonemelter]

What ways have you used to look it up? Task manager? Process Explorer? Other?

Task manager to check what processes are running and how much memory that are using.

Also, is it just a short spike or will it remain in use until reboot? Also, what usage exactly? Cpu? Ram? Gpu?

Remains until reboot and its the CPU usage (as said).

 

[Fehnor]

A spike to 25%... I am going to guess you have a 4 core CPU. A program that doesn't support multithreading is maxing a core. Which program is doing this?

 

[Jace]

and its the CPU usage (as said).

Ah, right. Says so on the topic itself. Was just reading the post

But, according to Task Manager, which process is using it up? (Or what Fehnor asked)
Or grab Process Explorer and see details there, it can even show which thread inside the process uses it up.

 

[Phonemelter]

That is the issue; there are no visible additional processes running that would cause it. Next time it happens, I will try process explorer to see if something pops up.

 

[Jace]

How do you know something's using it then? The graphs show stuff but not the process list?

 

[Splintert]

Make sure to check the box "Show processes from all users".

 

[Phonemelter]

How do you know something's using it then? The graphs show stuff but not the process list?

There is nothing on the process list that would cause such a large spike.

Make sure to check the box "Show processes from all users".

Yup; nothing comes up that isn't usually there.

 

[Fehnor]

Every process has a %CPU load listed next to it. Find the one that is at 24% or whatever, and that's the one that's causing the spike. It isn't possible to have a spike of activity without activity

 

[Phonemelter]

I realize that, which is why I am asking the question here; I cannot find what is causing the issue. If I did, it wouldn't have needed to ask. 

 

[Fehnor]

That sounds extremely fishy to me. If you can't see the processes that are causing this (and you are a local admin), I wouldn't trust it. Reinstall the OS.

 

[Splintert]

Global solution: re-install OS.

But really he's speaking the truth, if your processor is randomly spiking and not shutting off and it won't tell you what it's doing, you're either infected with a really stupid virus or the OS got messed up.

 

[Phonemelter]

...and not shutting off

Hmm? I never said it doesn't shut off; I just said that the spiking spots if I restart the computer. I did previously have issues with the laptop not turning off, but it turned out to be a faulty motherboard and I got it replaced.

 

[Splintert]

I meant that the spike won't stop.

 

[Phonemelter]

Just had the issue again and took screenshots of task manager and process explorer while the spike is going on and then compared them to what my computer is at now, and there is very little difference. Maybe I am not looking in the right places?

Forgot to note: The only items on the list that are using much of the CPU would be the idle process (usually at 90-99) and some generic host processes (one is always about 25).

 

[Splintert]

generic host processes (one is always about 25).

I do believe you've found your problem, aye?

Oh, try the Resource Monitor as well.

 

[Phonemelter]

That is what I originally thought, but it doesn't always cause an increase in usage for some odd reason (it shows that it is there, but nothing happens); I'll look into it when I have the issue again.

 

[Fehnor]

Shouldn't these be sorted by CPU usage?

 

[Splintert]

That is what I originally thought, but it doesn't always cause an increase in usage for some odd reason (it shows that it is there, but nothing happens); I'll look into it when I have the issue again.

It probably hits an infinite loop. I'm no expert, but it seems like the developers of an operating system would be able to prevent that unless the settings for your OS are wrong. Since its a Windows component, you'll have to reinstall the OS.