The RuntimeBroker.exe is a default Microsoft process that usually runs in the background and is responsible for carrying out essential Windows tasks. Although the process is an essential one, it sometimes causes issues that cannot be ignored. One of these issues is Runtime Broker High CPU Usage. If the Runtime Broker CPU Usage is high in your PC too, and you cannot perform tasks efficiently, you take some actions.
Usual Runtime Broker Process Usage
The RuntimeBroker.exe process usually occupies just a few MBs of your CPU resources. If the process is utilizing only 10-50 MB of the memory, the usage is not high. However, in some instances, the method uses an unusually high CPU resources amount, sometimes even more than a GB. This not only disrupts other programs from running smoothly on your PC but also may hamper your PC.
Methods to Fix RuntimeBroker.Exe High CPU Usage
In the following article, we look at various methods you can use to get rid of this issue.
End the Runtime Broker Process
You can view the Runtime Broker process in the Task Manager window. Apart from viewing the processes, the Task Manager also lets you end tasks. You can try to complete the Runtime Broker process on your PC from here. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc buttons together on your keyboard to open the Task Manager window.
Step 2: Here, select the Runtime Broker process, then click on the End Task button. This will end the process.
Once the process is stopped, you may want to restart your PC.
Although the process will end, it will most likely return if the issue is a grieving one. If that is the case, go ahead and try the next method.
By Disabling “Get tips, tricks and suggestions” in Settings.
One of the settings in Windows 10, when enabled, could be the reason behind such high CPU Usage in your PC. The system setting that allows Windows to get tips, tricks, and suggestions is one of the prominent reasons behind this issue. Here are the steps to ensure that the setting is disabled on your PC:
Step 1: Open the Settings app. For this, press the Win + I keys. In the app, select the System option.
Step 2: In the new window, go to the left panel and select the Notifications & action option. Now, go to the right panel and turn off the toggle switch that belongs to the Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use the Windows option.
After making the above changes in your PC, do not forget to give your PC a restart. Once the PC boots up, check whether the Runtime Broker process is causing the same trouble.
Scan your PC for Virus
The Runtimebroker.exe process running on your PC may be a virus if it does not stop consuming high CPU usage. In such a scenario, it becomes essential to check whether the process is a virus. Here are the steps involved in doing so:
Step 1: Open Task Manager on your PC by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys. In the Task Manager, locate the Runtime Broker process. Make a right-click on it, then from the menu that opens, select the Open file location option.
Step 2: A File Explorer window will open with the folder containing the RuntimeBroker.exe file. If the file is located at any other location but c:\windows\system32\, it is most probably a virus.
In such a case, we highly recommend you carry out an antivirus scan on your PC. If an Antivirus software is not installed on your PC, install one right away and carry out a virus scan. It is always suggested to install a trusted antivirus on your PC based on their ratings.
If the process is a virus, the antivirus will identify it and remove it from your PC.
Check for Problematic App
Often the Runtime Broker.exe process is associated with an app or program. Check whether the process utilizes high CPU resources only when a specific app is running on your PC. If yes, you can take various steps, depending on the usability of the app.
If the app is not so important and can be replaced, go ahead and remove it from your PC. If you want to keep using the app, see if an updated version of the app is available. If yes, update it and check whether it works for you. If none of these tricks work, obliterate the app from your PC and restart your PC. After the restart, carry out a fresh installation of the app.
The runtime broker issue may trouble you because of one or more apps. Make sure to look out for the problem while operating all the suspicious apps.
Disable Background Apps
Certain Microsoft Apps are capable of running in the background even if you close them. Multiple Apps running in the background can increase the runtime broker CPU usage on your PC. This will eventually slow down your PC and prevent other programs from running smoothly.
In the Settings app, you can disable all the unnecessary apps from running in the background. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings app. Here, select the Privacy option.
Step 2: Here, select Background apps from the left pane. On the right pane, you will see a list of apps available on your PC. Here, you can disable the background feature for all the apps you do not need to run in the background.
Once done, exit the Settings app and then restart your PC. After the restart, check whether the runtime broker high CPU usage issue is still there.
Remove Groove Music App
The Groove Music app is a default Windows app that comes pre-loaded with Windows 10. According to various users, a runtime broker issue was occurring due to this specific app. After removing the Groove Music app, the runtime broker high CPU usage will go down significantly.
Unlike other apps, the Groove Music app is a default Windows app. You cannot just uninstall it from the Microsoft Store. For this, you will need to run a specific command in Windows PowerShell. Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Press the Win + S keys on your keyboard to open the Windows Search box. Type PowerShell in the search box. In the results, you will see Windows PowerShell. Make a right-click on it and select the Run as administrator option.
Step 2: The PowerShell utility will open with Admin privileges. Here, copy and paste the command available below:
Get-AppxPackage -name Microsoft.ZuneMusic | Remove-AppxPackage Get-AppxPackage -name Microsoft.Music.Preview | Remove-AppxPackage
After entering the command, press the Enter key. Let the command run. This will remove the Groove music app from your PC. Now, restart your PC and check if the runtime broker issue is still there.
FAQ: Can I Disable Runtime Broker?
Many users wanted to know if they can disable Runtime Broker in Windows 10 to fix the high CPU usage issue. Although the process can be disabled, it is highly recommended not to do so. The Runtime Broker process is an essential Windows process. Disabling it will disrupt Windows from operating, and a lot of unexpected errors and issues will surface on your PC. As mentioned above, you can try to end the process if it consumes too much of the CPU resources on your PC, but do not disable it.
Closing Words
It is quite uncertain what may be causing the runtimebroker.exe process to consume high CPU resources, but the above solutions will help you get rid of it.