The main reason for high CPU usage is that Windows is checking for or installing updates in the background. Sometimes, it also happens when Windows is cleaning up old files or doing other update tasks.
1. Run System Maintenance.
Scheduled maintenance tasks often fail quietly in the background, causing problems like TiWorker.exe getting stuck. Running System Maintenance by hand makes Windows find and fix issues with updates, disk errors, and broken shortcuts. This can help reset TiWorker and lower CPU use.
2. Run Windows Update.
Installing any waiting updates can quickly lower TiWorker.exe activity by finishing the tasks it is stuck on. Running Windows Update makes sure the system completes any unfinished scans, downloads, or installs that are keeping TiWorker busy. Again, hold the Windows Key and press X, then choose Control Panel.
Click or tap ‘Windows Updates,’ and from the left pane, click on ‘Check for Updates.’
On a Windows 10 computer, press the Windows key + A, then choose All Settings. Select Windows Updates from the left pane, and click Check for Updates.
3. Perform a Clean Boot of Your System.
Starting your computer with a clean boot helps find out if other programs are causing problems with TiWorker.exe. This way, only important Windows services run, allowing updates and maintenance to finish smoothly. Doing this can fix high CPU usage caused by software conflicts. For clean booting your PC, please refer to this post: Clean Boot.
4. Whitelist “msmpeng.exe” and then restart Windows Update.
This issue can also be caused when your Windows Update is being blocked by your Windows Defender, or another antivirus program that you have installed on your computer. This can lead to a conflict, resulting in corrupted Windows Update files and spikes of high resource usage. To fix this, we will need to whitelist “msmpeng.exe” in the antivirus.
5. Run the System File Checker.
Damaged system files can make TiWorker.exe get stuck or fail during updates. Using the System File Checker checks for and fixes these files, helping TiWorker work normally and lowering extra CPU use.
