10 Best Solutions For Avast Slowing Down Computer

Are you running into Avast slowing down computer issues? You’re not alone, and you won’t go empty-handed if you’re here.

Avast Antivirus is one of the best antivirus tools available in the market. It offers you free and premium choices. With an array of services, it is thriving. Many people who want premium service to enhance Windows Defender use Avast. But, it does come with a series of problems. One such problem has always been the high-CPU Usage.

There was a time when Avast developers didn’t pay attention to it. Back in the day, the problem was severe. While they have fixed most situations, some still exist. You could be one of the people suffering from the Avast Slowing Down Computer issue.

So, here are some of the best solutions available for you. You can use these for various platforms and see if it works. What if none of these work? That’s rare. So, let’s dig in to solve this daunting issue.

The Basic Solutions For Avast Antivirus High CPU Usage

Before you try anything else, check the system requirements. If you have an outdated PC, you will run into High CPU Usage. Even the latest Avast Antivirus Version needs a sustainable system.

It claims to need 1 GB RAM and 2 GB Free Hard Disk, but your processor also plays a role. For a Windows 10 System, you should have at least 8 GB RAM and an equally powerful processor.

After that, you can go ahead and install Avast. If you can’t meet it, it is better to use built-in defender tools. You can also check for some other antivirus program that is easy on the system.

If you meet the system requirements and have a high-speed net, then move ahead and try these solutions.

Solutions For Avast Slowing Down Computer

1. Try Updating The Antivirus
2. Try Avast Troubleshooting
3. Remove The Avast Clean-Up Tool
4. Try To Use The Command Prompt Solution
5. Check For Add-Ons Or Uninstall Programs
6. Deactivate The Avast ScreenSaver Scan
7. Try Repairing Avast Program
8. Disable Avast Mail Shield
9. Disable The Notifications For Updater
10. Use The Registry Editor 

Fixes For Avast Antivirus Engine Server High CPU Usage

1. Try Updating The Antivirus

As mentioned earlier, there was a time when Avast developers didn’t pay attention. Now, they are actively trying to solve the issue. So, the first thing you should do is check for the updates.

Often, outdated versions can cause problems. If you have an older version because it’s free, you could run into these problems.

Nowadays, malware is also designed first to attack the antivirus. It could prompt the users to uninstall their security tools. So, to keep your virus database up to date, it is wise to update the Antivirus:

• Go to the Avast. If it is already launched, it should be in the taskbar. Double click on and go to the Avast Menu button. It is in the user interface.
• From the drop-down of the Menu, select the ‘Settings’ option.
• Then, go to the General tab in the Settings and find the Update button.
• The latest version comes with two buttons to update. One of these buttons is to help you update the virus database. Another is to update the program.
• First, update the program and then go back to the options and update the database.
• Make sure that you have active and high-speed internet. Avast uses the internet connection to download the latest updates. The same applies to databases.
• Once done, check if the problem persists.

2. Use The Built-In Troubleshooter

The latest Avast version comes with a brilliant troubleshooting feature. You can use this to fix almost any issue with the software. You don’t always have to go to the Control Panel to repair the file anymore.

If there is any component problem or file error, this can potentially fix it. Follow these steps:

• Open the Avast User Interface again and go to the Avast Menu.
• From there, find the Settings and go to the General Tab. At the bottom of the General Tab, you will see a Troubleshooting option.
• Click on it, and you will see various options. Go ahead and use the green ‘Repair App’ option.
• Check again and see if this fixes the problem.

If you still get high CPU usage, you can try other options in the list. As you can see, there is ‘Enable Hardware-Assisted Virtualization.’ You can disable it to save CPU.

You can also backup or reset the Avast settings here. So, use these options if you can.

3. Remove The Avast Clean-Up Tool

The Avast Cleanup tool is one of the extra tools you get. It is primarily there to help you speed up your PC. How so? It enables you to scan for the background programs that don’t need to run. Then it forcefully closes them and helps you free up CPU, RAM and other resources. These can then focus on other essential tasks.

So, it is a cleanup tool. And yes, it sounds quite a useful one at that, but it is not that great. Sometimes, it could cause problems for the users. As it is one of the background tools, it can run scans continually, causing you to use more resources than it freed. So, it is worth getting rid of the program, especially if you don’t have the space and CPU problems.

• Once again, double-click on the Avast icon from the Taskbar tray to open it.
• Go to Settings and find the Components Tab.
• In that tab, you can click the various down-facing arrows, which you will notice next to components. If you click on that arrow, you will see multiple options, one of which will be to uninstall components.
• If you select it, you will uninstall the said component. So, find the Avast Cleaner Tool, click on the drop-down arrow, and click on Uninstall.
• Now go ahead and restart the system.

You can also use these guidelines to remove any other components. For instance, Avast behavior shields also consume excessive memories at times. You can go ahead and remove it as well. See if that solves the issue. If not, then move to another solution.

4. Try To Use The Command Prompt Solution

As mentioned in the second solution, Avast frequently scans background tasks. This also goes for the antivirus tool itself. So, if you want to reduce CPU consumption, you can give this option a try.

It scans the background programs consistently. The lower the frequency is, the more frequently it scans the background programs and apps. So, it is worth giving the issue by following these steps:

• First, press Windows + X key. This will open Menu options from the Start Menu. Select Command Prompt (Admin) from the list. If you have an admin password, it will ask for the password.
• Once you enter the CMD, it is time for you to type the following: C:/ProgramData/AvastSoftware/Avast
• Now, you will have to open the avast5.ini file. Once you open it, you will have to click on Insert or type the following command in the line:

[GrimeFighter]: ScanFrequency=999

Remember, higher frequency means fewer background scans. While it still enhances your CPU performance and frees up space, you compromise security. So, it is worth finding some balance, if possible.

5. Check For The Avast Add-Ons Or Uninstall High-CPU Programs

Avast is a well-versed security tool. There’s no doubt about that. But, it often comes with several add-ons. This can be extensions, the Avast Secure Browser, or something else in the mix. So, it is worth checking and ensuring Avast’s high CPU Usage isn’t because of these components.

• Go to the Start Menu and find the Control Panel. Click on it to launch it. After that, find the Programs & Features option. Click on Uninstall A Program option.
• Find the Avast Antivirus and right-click on it. There should be a ‘Change’ option available. Click on it and navigate through. If there isn’t one, use Avast’s built-in modify tool.
• For this, click on the Uninstall option and when the wizard opens up, click on the Modify option.
• Now uncheck on all the irrelevant programs that you don’t want. Some essential programs are – File Shield, Mail Shield, Web Shield and Behavior Shield. So, keep these and uncheck everything else.
• Then go ahead with the entire Wizard, which should fix the issue.

6. Deactivate The Avast Screen Saver Option

The Avast Screensaver process is one of the most disliked options available. It runs in the background even when the users don’t have the screensaver active. Some users don’t even activate the screen savers, yet it persists.

This can easily lead to a high CPU usage issue because of resource consumption. So, you can go ahead and stop it:

• First, you will have to run a scan with Avast. For this, select any random file to scan. Right-click on it and Scan it via Avast.
• Once you do that, it will show the results. In the results, you can see almost every scan that Avast has active.
• You will find Avast Screensaver scan in these options. Find it and click on the stop button next to it. This should stop the screen saver scan.

Now, restart the PC and see if this solves the issue. Make sure that the Avast Screensaver scan remains disabled.

7. Try Repairing Avast

Avast is a program and is prone to errors like any other program. These errors may arise for various reasons. It could be due to improper installation. Maybe some virus or malware managed to infect it.

Improper shutdown and booting of the system can also lead to issues. So, it is worth repairing Avast. For this, you just have to use the control panel:

• Make sure to log in to the Admin account. If not, go to the Start Menu and run the Control Panel as Admin. After that, go to Uninstall a Program, just like the previous guidelines.
• From there, find the Avast Antivirus in the list, right-click on it and click on Repair. Once you do that, a wizard will open up.
• Now follow through with the wizard and see if you can solve the issue.
• If this doesn’t work, you can also open Avast and reset it to the default settings. See if that fixes the issue.
• The PC may restart. If it didn’t, then go ahead and restart it by yourself.
• You can also try to uninstall and reinstall the Avast Antivirus. For this, you have to follow the same steps. Just, instead of repair, choose to uninstall and follow through.
• Then get the latest version and install it into your system.

8. Disable Avast Mail Shield

Mail Shield is another problematic feature by Avast. It can cause several CPU usage issues. If you are still facing a high CPU usage issue, it’s time to disable it. But remember some things.

Avast Mail Shield helps keep your mail safe. Emails have become a primary place for malware and viruses to lurk. Many people send these to each other, even by mistake.

So, Avast Mail Shield is a helpful tool. But, Gmail and other prominent email systems already use their built-in scanner. So, it is not that essential.

Follow these steps:

• Launch Avast, go to Menu and select settings once again. Find the Protection Tab.
• In there, you will find the Core Shields option. Scroll down and find the Mail Shield among the possibilities.
• Once you do so, uncheck on every option. While disabling, it might ask for the time you wish to deactivate it. Click on Indefinitely. This will permanently disable the mail shield.
• Restart the PC and Avast, then see if the high CPU usage persists.

9. Disable The Notifications For Updater

Do you not face the Avast high CPU usage issue all the time? Is it a rare occurrence but an annoying one? Does it persist until you update Avast? Then it could be due to the Updater Notifications.

Updater Notification is a feature in Avast that tells you about the latest updates. Whenever they are available, you will get a notification. This can lead to high CPU usage if the notification is blocked by another program or a third-party tool. It could also be that whenever the notification pops, your system lags. So, try these steps:

• Launch Avast. Then go to Menu and then Settings. Find the Performance Tab this time.
• Now, go to Software Updater. There you will find a feature, ‘Notifications about mew updates.’
• Click on the X if it is available or any other method to disable it.
• Now, go ahead and restart Avast.

10. Use The Registry Editor For Page File

This should be your last resort if nothing else worked. As you know, Registry editor can be a critical solution for you. It could also mess up the entire program. So, be careful when using it. It is a good idea to back up the registry before you try it. But, here are the guidelines:

• Go to the Start Menu and search for the Registry Editor.
• Right-click on it and click ‘Run As Administrator.’ If prompted, click yes and continue.
• Now go to the following HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
• Find the CurrentControlSet option and then Control. Then go to Sessions, Manager and Memory Management Path.
• Select the Memory Management folder and look at the right side of the registry editor. Find ‘ClearPageFileAtShutDown’ option.
• Right-click on it and select Modify.
• Check what the Value Data is and set it to 1. Then click OK and save it.
• Now go ahead and restart your PC.

Conclusion – Avast Antivirus Service High CPU Usage

So now, whenever you watch movies, you won’t have to worry about high disk usage. As long as you take care of Avast Cleanup and Repair Avast, everything should be fine. Make sure to update the virus definitions. Keep Avast Real-Time protection up to date. As a precaution, always backup your data files.

With that being said, we hope that you found the solution. If one of these won’t work, try all of them. You can always reinstall Windows or upgrade your PC as a last resort. See if that works.

Among several Antivirus programs, Avast does stand among the top. So before doubting its capabilities, give these solutions a try. Go ahead and maintain a smooth operation with these fixes for Avast’s high CPU Usage error. 

FAQs – Fix Avast High CPU Usage