How to Fix Skype High CPU Usage in Windows 10

Skype is a popular communication tool that allows users to make video and voice calls, send instant messages, and share files. However, users may encounter the issue of high CPU usage in Windows 10 while using Skype. This issue can cause the computer to slow down or freeze, making it difficult to use Skype or any other program. The purpose of this outline is to provide steps to fix the high CPU usage issue in Skype on Windows 10, thereby improving the performance and usability of the computer.

Check for Updates

To check for updates in Skype, follow these steps:

Open Skype on your computer.
Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-left corner of the Skype window.
Select “Help & feedback” from the dropdown menu.
Click on “Check for updates” in the “Help & feedback” window.
If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

It is important to have the latest version of Skype installed to ensure optimal performance and fix any bugs or issues that may cause high CPU usage. New updates often contain bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements, which can help improve the overall performance of Skype and your computer. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly check for updates and install them as soon as they become available.

Reset Skype Settings

To reset Skype settings, follow these steps:

Open Skype on your computer.
Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-left corner of the Skype window.
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings window and click on “Advanced”.
Click on “Reset” under the “Advanced” section.
Confirm that you want to reset Skype settings by clicking on “Reset” in the pop-up window.

It is important to note that resetting Skype settings will erase all personal preferences and settings, including chat history, login credentials, and custom notification sounds. However, it can fix issues with high CPU usage that may be caused by corrupt or misconfigured settings. Therefore, if the high CPU usage issue persists after checking for updates, resetting Skype settings can be a good option to try.

Also Fix: How To Fix 0x0000001A Error On Windows 10/8/7

Disable Hardware Acceleration

To disable hardware acceleration in Skype, follow these steps:

Open Skype on your computer.
Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-left corner of the Skype window.
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings window and click on “Advanced”.
Toggle off the switch next to “Enable hardware acceleration” under the “Advanced” section.

Disabling hardware acceleration can improve the performance of Skype and fix high CPU usage by offloading some of the processing tasks from the CPU to the graphics card. However, it may also impact the quality of video calls, as the graphics card may not be able to handle the processing load as efficiently as the CPU. Therefore, it is recommended to test the impact on video quality after disabling hardware acceleration and enabling it again if necessary.

Close Background Apps

To close background apps in Windows 10, follow these steps:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
Click on the “More details” option in the bottom-left corner of the Task Manager window.
Scroll down the list of processes to find the background apps that are running.
Select the app you want to close and click on the “End task” button in the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window.

Having too many apps open can impact system performance and cause high CPU usage, as the CPU has to divide its processing power among all the running apps. Therefore, it is recommended to close any unnecessary background apps that may be using up system resources. This can help free up processing power and reduce the CPU usage, resulting in improved performance and stability of the system. It is a good practice to periodically check the Task Manager and close any unwanted apps to maintain optimal system performance.

Summary

In summary, the following steps can help fix Skype high CPU usage in Windows 10:

Check for updates in Skype to ensure you have the latest version.
Reset Skype settings to default to eliminate any corrupt or misconfigured settings.
Disable hardware acceleration to offload processing tasks from the CPU to the graphics card.
Close any unnecessary background apps that may be using up system resources.