Avast Service High CPU Usage in Windows 10, 8 and 7

Antivirus software comes with their share of issues. Since Antivirus software are programmed to be multi-tasking to perform real-time operations such as background scans and virus removals, they are resource-demanding.

Installing and running antivirus software can use up a lot of memory and hard disk space, slowing down the PC, as it consumes a significant chunk of CPU power.

Avast is an antivirus software that suffers from the Avast Service High CPU Usage and consumes over 50% of the CPU usage, interrupting other functions. Here we discuss ways to solve the Avast Service High CPU Usage.

Avast Service High CPU Usage in Windows 10, 8 and 7

How to Fix Avast Service High CPU Usage in Windows 10, 8 and 7

Method 1: Remove Avast Cleanup

Avast Cleanup makes the system run faster by decluttering and organizing the files and cleaning the registry. It promises to maintain the system, to keep it running smoothly. Unfortunately, it is also the component most responsible for the problem mentioned above.

It performs several tasks such as registry cleaning, browser cleaning, shortcut cleaning, bloatware removal, tuning Dashboard, and Action Center. Since it performs all tasks in real-time, it becomes heavy on the processor, thereby making it best to uninstall this component. To uninstall the Avast Cleanup component:

Step 1: Open the Avast software on your computer.

Step 2: Go to Settings and click on the ‘Components‘ tab.

Step 3: Click the downward-facing arrow next to Avast Cleanup and click ‘Uninstall Component’ and then click OK to confirm your command.

Step 4: Restart your PC to check if the CPU usage is back to normal.

If the given process does not work, you can also uninstall the Avast Cleanup from Control Panel, following the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1: Open Control Panel and go to Programs and Features and then to ‘Programs.’

Step 2: Select Avast Antivirus and click ‘change’ and then continue when the set-up window appears.

Step 3: Uncheck ‘Cleanup‘ and click continue.

Step 4: Now restart your computer. Then check that the Avast Service High CPU usage is reduced back to normal.

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Method 2: Using Command Prompt

This method involves the use of Command Prompt and is quite simple, as all it does, is that it changes the scan frequency of the antivirus software to the maximum value. Maximizing the scan frequency disables the background checks and monitoring and reduces their number by a great margin. On the one hand, there may be some security issues, but it dramatically affects the CPU usage by the antivirus software, reducing it to a bare minimum. To maximize the frequency of scans:

Step 1: Open the Start menu and find Command Prompt and run it as administrator. Or you can also use Windows + X key to open a menu where you can find Command Prompt and run it as administrator.

Step 2: To find the folder where you have to implement further actions, type the following command: ‘C:\ ProgramData\AvastSoftware\Avast‘.

Step 3: Open the avast5.ini file and type the following command- ‘[GrimeFighter]: ScanFrequency=999’.

Step 4: Save the file and restart your computer and see if the CPU usage has returned to normal.

Method 3: Update Avast to the Latest Version

It is quite essential to update the antivirus software regularly, not just to reduce the CPU usage, but also keep the antivirus resistant to new and advanced viruses and malware that navigate their way to your computer daily. Also, the previous versions of Avast become unresponsive, since it is recommended to keep the antivirus and the virus detection database updated. To update Avast antivirus software, follow the given steps:

Step 1: Click on the Avast icon on the desktop or find it in the Start menu and open its user interface.

Step 2: Once you go to the update tab, you will find two update buttons. One button updates the virus definition database while the other one updates the program.

Step 3: Click on both these buttons to update both the virus definitions as well as the program itself by following the on-screen instructions.

Step 4: Once you are done with the updates, check whether the CPU is back to its normal usage.

Method 4: Avast Screensaver Scanning Even though It Shouldn’t

In certain cases, the high usage of CPU is a direct result of Avast Screensaver, scanning the PC, even though it should not. Avast Screensaver is a weapon that is activated when you install the Avast software. This problem is not something that occurs often but seldom, and yet it causes over usage of the CPU and must be dealt with. Below are steps to tackle the issue:

Step 1: Choose any file on your desktop or any folder from your PC and right-click to scan the file with Avast Antivirus.

Step 2: A scan result window pops up. You see a list of scans currently running.

Step 3: Find the Avast Screensaver scan. Click the stop button next to it.

Step  4: Now, check if the Avast Service High CPU usage is back to normal.

Method 5: Repair Avast Using Control Panel

If the above-mentioned methods do not work, then there is something wrong with the Avast installation. In that case, the best way to tackle the problem is to repair it through Avast. To repair it via Control Panel:

Step 1: Log in to your computer with an administrator account. As you are not permitted to delete any programs without an admin account.

Step 2: Open the Control Panel. If using Windows 10, click on the gear icon to open s

Step 3: Select ‘Uninstall a program’ under the programs section.

Step 4: If using the Settings app, click on Apps to open a list of all installed programs in your PC.

Step 5: Find Avast antivirus and click uninstall/repair.

Step 6: The uninstall wizard of Avast antivirus gives you two options, repair or remove. Click on the repair option and then next to fix installation.

Step 7: You will be asked to confirm the process. Then restart the Avast with the default settings.

Step 8: Click finish when the repair is over and then restart your computer. Check if the Avast Service High CPU Usage is back to normal.

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Conclusion

One of the methods mentioned above will surely resolve the Avast Service High CPU usage problem.