Sometimes Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) starts hogging Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) or memory (RAM) resources when it shouldn’t. This article will show you how to fix this problem. Show
Desktop Window Manager is responsible for rendering the Windows desktop environment, which is a significant part of the GUI. Usually, wdm.exe doesn’t use much of the GPU’s processing power, but it ends up causing high GPU usage due to some arbitrary reasons. Many users reported that GPU usage by Desktop Window Manager spikes to 70% or even 100% when running an app and its main window is visible or a video game. This problem is known to occur in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Why Is Desktop Window Manager Using So Much GPU?The issue can be caused by outdated GPU drivers or overloading the Desktop Window Manager process with many desktop processes and activities that require more resources than normal. Some have noticed that Desktop Window Manager started causing high GPU or memory (RAM) usage after a Windows update. It has been said that an update might contain bugs that cause dwm.exe to overuse GPU resources. In some cases, the Xbox Game Bar causes Desktop Window Manager to use more GPU/Memory than normal. We suggest uninstalling the Xbox Game Bar and checking if that fixes the issue. Video Guide on How to Fix Desktop Window Manager High GPU/Memory Usage
Table of Contents: Download Computer Malware Repair Tool It is recommended to run a free scan with Combo Cleaner - a tool to detect malware and fix computer errors. You will need to purchase the full version to remove infections and eliminate computer errors. Free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more. Method 1. Update the Graphics Card Driver1. Right-click the Start menu button and select Device Manager. 2. Expand the Display adapters list. 3. Select your display adapter (graphics card), right-click it, and click Update driver. 4. Select Search automatically for drivers. 5. Windows will download and install the drivers. You can also manually download the graphics card drivers for Intel, Nvidia, and AMD from their respective websites. [Back to Table of Contents] Method 2. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run. 2. In the Run dialog box, type in msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and click OK. 3. Click Next in the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter window. 4. Apply the suggested fixes and close the troubleshooter. [Back to Table of Contents] Method 3. Set Desktop Window Manager Priority to Normal1. Hold down Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open Task Manager. 2. Select the Details tab. 3. Find dwm.exe, right-click it, select Set priority, and click Normal. 4. Click Change priority to confirm. [Back to Table of Contents] Method 4. Turn Off Visual Effects1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run. 2. In the Run dialog box, type in sysdm.cpl and click OK. 3. In the resulting System Properties window, select the Advanced tab. 4. Under the Performance section, click Settings. 5. Tick the Adjust for best performance option. 6. Click Apply and click OK. 7. Alternatively, you can select Custom and only disable the options you want. If none of the proposed methods work, try turning off Fast startup in Windows 11 Power Options and uninstalling the Xbox Game Bar. If you haven’t tried that already, try changing the background image to a solid color and disabling Transparency effects in Personalization settings. [Back to Top] Rimvydas is a researcher with over four years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. He attended Kaunas University of Technology and graduated with a Master's degree in Translation and Localization of Technical texts. His interests in computers and technology led him to become a versatile author in the IT industry. At PCrisk, he's responsible for writing in-depth how-to articles for Microsoft Windows. Contact Rimvydas Iliavicius. Our guides are free. However, if you want to support us you can send us a donation.
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. 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 Here are a few solutions you can try out to fix the Desktop Window Manager high GPU issue Fix Display Scaling for appsTry 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 malwareScanning 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 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 scanCorrupt 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 /RestoreHealthRestart 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 Someone who writes/edits/shoots/hosts all things tech and when he’s not, streams himself racing virtual cars. You can reach out to Yadullah at [email protected], or follow him on Instagram or Twitter. |