It enables all of the visual effects that appear, like transparent windows, animations, thumbnails, themes, wallpapers, you name it. It’s all done by DWM. Some users have encountered issues as a message pops up saying that their GPU memory is full, which can cause a lot of stress and confusion. However, DWM has the habit of using a lot of your GPU, sometimes even 100% of GPU, although this happens rarely.

Why is Desktop Windows Manager taking up so much GPU?

Here are a few of the most common reasons that trigger the Desktop Windows Manager high GPU issue:

Problem with your hardware: Dwm.exe can usually use a lot of GPU memory if there’s a problem with your hardware. The GPU driver hasn’t updated: Chances are the graphics driver is faulty or outdated. Latest Windows update isn’t installed: Latest Windows updates not only bring new features but also fix the bugs that cause multiple issues, such as the one at hand. Corrupt system files: System files are responsible for the smooth functioning of your PC, and if they are corrupt or missing, then they can cause issues. Misconfigured graphics settings: You should check if your Nvidia or AMD graphics settings aren’t misconfigured.

How to stop Desktop Windows Manager from using all my GPU?

1. Update drivers

1.1 For Windows 10 PC

1.2 For Windows 11 PC

If you want to avoid following the above-mentioned steps, and also keep your PC’s drivers updated constantly, using specialized software like DriverFix can do the trick. DriverFix will not only keep all of your drivers up to date with just a few clicks, but it will also help you schedule scans, create driver backups, acts as a downloaded manager, and much more.

2. Turn off visual effects

2.1 For Windows 10

A handy method to fix Desktop Windows Manager consuming a lot of GPU is to turn off all visual effects. This should ensure that your PC works more smoothly. The process for doing this in Windows 10 and 11 is the same.

2.2 For Windows 11

3. Change personalization

4. Disable the Fast Startup feature

5. Turn OFF Hardware accelerated GPU Scheduling

This solution was suggested by one of our readers and said to have fixed the Desktop Window Manager high GPU issue. You can also try this and check if this fixes the problem or not. SPONSORED One solution that wasn’t touched upon for Desktop Windows Manager is using antivirus software. In certain situations, malware may cause DWM suddenly using more resources. Antivirus software is a great way to get rid of that malware and set everything back to normal. Most software that works for Windows 10 also works for Windows 11. Other GPU problems may be due to high internal temperatures. Normal temperatures range from 149 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit (65 to 85 degrees Celsius) but go slightly higher during intense gaming sessions. Prolonged high temperatures can cause permanent damage to your GPU, so it’s recommended that you be aware of how hot it gets. Conversely, there are solutions for low GPU usage and high CPU usage. It’s a mismatched problem that can be caused by bottlenecking, but not always. From this strange discrepancy, you may have to deal with frame drops or your processor overheating. This problem may be caused by out-of-date drivers or certain apps getting in the way. Feel free to comment below if you have questions about other Windows 11 apps. Also, leave comments about guides you’d like to see or information on other Windows 11 features or list guides like this.

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