The most common cause of this problem is outdated or corrupted device drivers, particularly for graphic cards or storage devices. Other causes include malware infections, not enough RAM causing excessive paging, or conflicts from recent Windows updates. In this article, we will discuss different ways to solve this error.
1. Update Your Drivers
Outdated or faulty drivers often cause high CPU or disk usage by ntoskrnl.exe due to poor communication between hardware and the operating system. Updating your GPU, chipset, and storage controller drivers ensures compatibility with Windows 10 and fixes resource usage issues, improving system stability and performance.
2. Run Antimalware and Antispyware Applications to Scan Your System
Malware or spyware infections can take over system resources, leading to increased CPU or disk usage by ntoskrnl.exe. By using reliable antimalware and antispyware tools, hidden threats can be found and eliminated, improving system performance and preventing future issues. This step helps ensure your system runs smoothly without interruptions from harmful programs.
3. Disable Runtime Broker
Runtime Broker, a process that manages app permissions in Windows, can sometimes use too much CPU due to faulty apps or background tasks. Disabling it can save system resources and quickly reduce high CPU usage without affecting essential functions.
4. Change Registry Settings
Tweaking registry settings focuses on specific configurations that might be using system resources inefficiently. By changing values related to memory management or turning off unnecessary features, this step helps optimize how ntoskrnl.exe uses system resources, potentially fixing high CPU or disk usage issues effectively.
