Unplug non-essential USB devices and test each for causing high interrupts; 2. Update or roll back network and audio drivers via Device Manager; 3. Disable Fast Startup in Power Options; 4. Adjust network adapter power settings and update its driver; 5. Disable audio device temporarily to test if it’s the source, then update or reinstall driver; 6. Check motherboard manufacturer’s site for BIOS/UEFI and chipset updates; 7. Run sfc /scannow, chkdsk, and Windows Memory Diagnostic to rule out system errors — high System Interrupts are typically caused by hardware or driver issues, and resolving them involves isolating faulty devices and ensuring drivers and firmware are up to date.

High CPU usage by "System Interrupts" in Task Manager can be frustrating — it often shows up as a mysterious process spiking to 20%, 30%, or even higher, making your PC feel sluggish. Unlike regular processes, you can't just end "System Interrupts," because it's not a program — it's part of how Windows handles hardware communication.

But don’t worry — while you can't eliminate it entirely, you can reduce excessive CPU usage caused by faulty or misbehaving hardware and drivers. Here's how:

? 1. Check for Hardware Issues (Most Common Cause)

"System Interrupts" spike when hardware devices send too many signals (interrupts) to the CPU. The most common culprits are:

• USB devices (especially external hard drives, hubs, or damaged cables)
• Network adapters
• Audio devices
• Faulty peripherals (keyboard, mouse, printer)
• Built-in hardware like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi cards

? What to do:

• Unplug all non-essential USB devices (flash drives, external drives, webcams, etc.)
• Test if CPU usage drops after disconnecting each one.
• Try different USB ports — avoid hubs if possible.
• If you're using a KVM switch or USB docking station, bypass it temporarily.

? Example: A failing USB 3.0 external drive has been known to cause constant interrupts, spiking CPU usage even when idle.

?? 2. Update or Roll Back Network and Audio Drivers

Outdated, corrupt, or buggy drivers — especially network and audio drivers — are frequent causes of high interrupt usage.

? Steps:

1. Press Win X → Device Manager
2. Expand:
   • Network adapters
   • Sound, video and game controllers
   • System devices (look for items like "High Definition Audio Controller" or "PCI Express Root Complex")
3. Right-click each → Update driver → "Search automatically for updated driver software"
4. If the issue started recently, try rolling back the driver:
   • Right-click → Properties → Driver tab → Roll Back Driver (if available)

?? Tip: If Windows Update keeps installing a problematic driver, disable automatic driver updates temporarily or uninstall the driver and download the latest version from the manufacturer (e.g., Intel, Realtek).

?? 3. Disable Fast Startup (Can Cause Hardware Conflicts)

Fast Startup is a hybrid shutdown feature that can leave hardware in an inconsistent state, leading to interrupt issues on boot.

? How to disable:

1. Open Control Panel → Power Options
2. Click "Choose what the power buttons do"
3. Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable"
4. Uncheck "Turn on fast startup"
5. Save changes

Reboot and check if the interrupt load improves.

? 4. Disable or Update Network Adapter Power Settings

Some network adapters wake the CPU too frequently due to power management settings.

? Fix:

1. In Device Manager, go to Network adapters
2. Right-click your adapter → Properties
3. Go to Power Management
4. Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
5. Also uncheck "Allow this device to wake the computer" (if not needed)

Then:

• Update the network driver from the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel, Realtek, Killer Networking).
• Consider disabling IPv6 temporarily to test if it helps.

? 5. Troubleshoot Audio Drivers (Especially HD Audio)

Audio controllers are a common source of high interrupts. Try this:

? Quick test:

1. In Device Manager, go to Sound, video and game controllers
2. Right-click your audio device (e.g., "Realtek High Definition Audio") → Disable device
3. Wait 30 seconds — check Task Manager

?? You’ll lose sound, but if CPU usage drops, the audio driver is likely the issue.

Then:

• Re-enable it and update the driver from the motherboard or PC manufacturer’s site.
• Or try uninstalling it and rebooting so Windows reinstalls it fresh.

? 6. Check for BIOS/UEFI and Chipset Updates

Outdated system firmware can cause interrupt routing issues, especially on newer hardware.

? What to do:

• Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s support site
• Look for:
  • Latest BIOS/UEFI update
  • Latest chipset drivers
• Follow instructions carefully to update BIOS (don’t interrupt the process!)

? Example: Some AMD and Intel motherboards have had interrupt-related bugs fixed in BIOS updates.

? 7. Run System Diagnostics

Use built-in tools to rule out deeper issues:

• Windows Memory Diagnostic: Check for RAM issues
• sfc /scannow: Open Command Prompt as admin → run sfc /scannow
• chkdsk: Run chkdsk /f /r if you suspect disk errors
• Use Resource Monitor (resmon.exe) → CPU tab → check for unusual interrupt activity

? Final Tips

• Avoid third-party "interrupt fix" tools — they don’t fix hardware issues and may cause more harm.
• If the problem only happens during certain activities (e.g., gaming, video calls), focus on related hardware (audio, network, USB devices).
• On laptops, sometimes resetting the EC (Embedded Controller) helps — unplug, remove battery (if possible), hold power for 30 seconds.

High "System Interrupts" CPU usage is almost always hardware or driver-related — not a virus or OS flaw. By systematically disconnecting devices, updating drivers, and adjusting power settings, you can usually bring it under control.

Basically, it's about finding the noisy hardware and quieting it down.

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