11 Fixes To Disable the Nvidia Backend Process

Those who have NVIDIA graphic cards installed on their computers and laptops will see the Nvidia Backend process running when they open Task Manager. You might ask what is Nvidia Backend? Why is it taking up so much memory size? How to know it’s not a virus? And how to fix nvbackend.exe errors? Let us answer these and fix NVIDIA backend issues.

What is Nvidia Backend (nvbackend.exe)?

Nvidia Backend goes by nvbackend.exe is part of the NVIDIA GeForce Experience software. It’s an application for people with NVIDIA graphic cards on top of the drivers they already have installed. NVIDIA GeForce Experience application basically has additional cutting-edge gaming features that improve the overall gaming experience. Nvbackend.exe handles the network communications backend. 

You may see this process in Task Manager as NVIDIA Backend, NVIDIA GeForce Experience Backend, or NVIDIA Update Backend.

It is not an essential service and you can disable it if you want. Your graphics cards or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) will still run error-free. 

Is Nvidia Backend Exe File a Virus?

Nvidia Backend is not a threat and is a harmless file. It’s one of the processes of the NVIDIA GeForce Experience application. However, some viruses and malware can pose as Nvbackend.exe to run without getting caught.

If you notice that Nvidia Backend is using too much CPU, memory, or network usage when you’re not playing any game, you should check whether it’s the genuine Nvidia GeForce Backend background process or a trojan/virus. Use these methods on Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and 11.

Check the File Location of the Nvidia Backend and Run a Virus Scan

1. Right-click the Taskbar and click ‘Task Manager.

2. Find ‘Nvidia Backend’ in the processes.
3. Right-click ‘Nvidia Backend’ and select ‘Open file location’.

4. If the file location is C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\Update Core or anywhere in the NVIDIA folder in Program Files, the file is safe. But if it’s in any other location, it can be a virus.

5. Now, run a virus scan for the file with your trusted antivirus. Delete the file with your antivirus if it detects the file as a virus (malware, trojan, or a potentially harmful file).

Check the Digital Signature on the File

Every program created by a genuine company is digitally signed by the company. Check the developer name or digital signature of the file and see if it’s signed by NVIDIA.

1. Open Task Manager (CTRL + ALT + DEL and then select Task Manager).
2. Right-click the columns in the ‘Processes’ tab and select ‘Publisher’ or Verified Signer’.

3. Now, look at that new column for the Nvidia Backend process. If it says ‘NVIDIA’ or NVIDIA Corporation’, it’s a genuine process. If it shows ‘Unable to verify’, then the probability of it being a virus is high.

Why are Nvidia Backend And Other Nvidia Processes Launching at Startup?

Those who have Nvidia GeForce Experience software installed on their PC will notice Nvidia Backend and other Nvidia processes run at startup. That’s because they are the software components of the GeForce Experience application and provide gaming features associated with GeForce Experience.

GeForce Experience is not a requirement for your graphics card drivers to work. So, even if you disable Nvidia Backend or uninstall GeForce Experience, your graphics card will keep working as it should. Its uninstallation is recommended if you’re not into gaming. For frequent gamers, we have a solutions section for nvbackend.exe errors in this guide.

What are the Nvbackend File Issues?

There are some common issues users reported with the Nvidia Backend background process:

The first issue is nvbackend.exe errors. You may see them at startup or when playing a game. An error message ‘nvbackend.exe application error’, ‘nvbackend.exe high CPU usage’, or something similar will appear crashing the game in the process. Secondly, some users also reported the blue screen of death error due to high CPU, memory, or disk usage on Windows 10 and 11.

How To Fix Nvidia Backend Errors?

If you’re not a gamer, the easiest fix is to uninstall it (Solution 11). But if you want to keep Nvidia Backend, try all the solutions listed below.

1. Restart Your Computer
2. Turn Off Your Antivirus
3. Turn Off Firewall
4. Restart the Nvidia Backend Process
5. Disable the Shadowplay and Overlay Feature
6. Fix Nvidia Backend from the GeForce Experience Application
7. Update Nvidia Display Drivers from Device Manager
8. Reinstall Nvidia Drivers and the GeForce Experience Application to Update the Backend
9. Disable Nvidia Backend from Startup by Renaming it
10. Update Windows
11. Uninstall Program ‘GeForce Experience’

Solution 1: Restart Your Computer

If this is the first time you’re seeing nvbackend errors or high CPU usage, you should first try to restart your computer. For Windows 8.1, 10, and 11, don’t use the Shut down option, use Restart.

Solution 2: Turn Off Your Antivirus

Your antivirus may be blocking some processes of the NVIDIA GeForce Experience application. And that’s why you’re seeing nvbackend errors. Temporarily turn off your antivirus to check if it’s the culprit.

1. Press Windows key + S and type ‘Windows Security Settings’.

2. Click ‘Virus & threat protection’.

3. Select ‘Microsoft Defender Antivirus Options’ and turn it off for Microsoft Defender. If you have installed any other antivirus, then click ‘Open App’ instead and disable that antivirus from its own settings.

Solution 3: Turn Off Firewall

The Nvidia backend process uses the internet to connect to Nvidia servers. If your computer’s Firewall is blocking it, then it may become unresponsive or show errors. 

1. Press Windows + S and type ‘Windows Security Settings’.
2. Click ‘Firewall & network protection’.
3. Select the network that has ‘active’ written next to it.

4. Toggle off ‘Microsoft Defender Firewall’.

Solution 4: Restart the Nvidia Backend Process

If Nvidia GeForce Backend is causing issues, restart its process to check if it solves the problem.

1. Right-click the taskbar and select ‘Task Manager’.
2. Find ‘Nvidia Backend’ in the processes.
3. Right-click ‘Nvidia Backend’ and select ‘End task.
4. Now reopen the Nvidia GeForce Experience application.

Solution 5: Disable the Shadowplay and Overlay Feature

Shadowplay is a screen recording tool that’s an extension or feature of the Nvidia GeForce Experience application. Shadowplay might be causing the high CPU consumption error. Turn it off and check again.

1. Open the GeForce Experience program from the desktop or tray icon.
2. Click the settings icon.
3. Select ‘General’ from the sidebar.
4. Find ‘IN-GAME OVERLAY’ and toggle it off.

Solution 6: Fix Nvidia Backend from the GeForce Experience Application

The GeForce Experience application itself has a troubleshooting mechanism to fix common errors related to its services and features.

1. Go to the system tray icon of GeForce Experience.
2. Right-click the icon and select ‘Fix Problem with NVIDIA GeForce Experience’.
3. An interface will appear. Follow the instructions to troubleshoot different processes including Nvidia Backend.

Solution 7: Update Nvidia Display Drivers from Device Manager

The Nvidia display drivers might be out of date and causing the error. Update them to fix the issue.

1. Press the Windows key + S and type ‘Device Manager’.

2. Find ‘Display adapters’ and click the small arrow.
3. Right-click the Nvidia driver and select ‘Update driver’.

4. Click ‘Search automatically for drivers’.

5. When it’s complete, restart your computer.

Solution 8: Reinstall Nvidia Drivers and the GeForce Experience Application to Update the Backend

If Nvidia Backend is slowing down your computer by using too much CPU or showing errors, reinstall Nvidia drivers and GeForce Experience.

1. Open Device Manager and click the arrow near ‘display adapters’.
2. Right-click the Nvidia driver and click ‘Uninstall driver’.
3. Now press the Windows key + S and type ‘Settings’.
4. Select ‘Apps’.
5. Type ‘GeForce’ in the search bar to find the Nvidia GeForce Experience program.

6. Uninstall it.
7. Now open your browser and go to the NVIDIA GeForce Drivers page.
8. Download and install the drivers.

Solution 9: Disable Nvidia Backend from Startup by Renaming it

If you don’t want it to run at startup, rename its file and it won’t be able to run again.

1. Go to Local Drive C > Program Files (86) > NVIDIA Corporation > Update Core.
2. Find Nvbackend.exe and rename it to Nvbackend_stopped.exe

You should rename it back if you want to update GeForce Experience.

Solution 10: Update Windows

Some old files or drivers may be interfering with the GeForce Experience processes and services causing the nvbackend errors. Update Windows to fix the issue

1. Go to Settings and click ‘Update & Security’.
2. Click ‘Check for updates’.

Solution 11: Uninstall Program’s GeForce Experience

If the issue isn’t solved with the above solutions, you can uninstall Nvidia Backend drivers and the GeForce Experience application.

1. Go to Settings and click ‘Apps’.
2. Type ‘GeForce Experience’ in the search box.
3. Uninstall the NVIDIA GeForce Experience application.