Question:

What could be the cause of high memory usage and display malfunction in Windows 10?

I have a Windows 10 PC with a 14700K processor and 128GB of RAM. Recently, I noticed that my display would go black or freeze randomly, even when the PC is idle. When I checked the task manager, I saw that something was consuming about 67GB of memory and 40% of the CPU. I tried restarting the PC several times, but the problem persisted. How can I diagnose and fix this issue?

Answer:

Windows 10 is a powerful and versatile operating system, but it can also encounter some issues that affect its performance and functionality. One of the common problems that Windows 10 users face is high memory usage and display malfunction, which can cause the PC to slow down, freeze, or crash. In this article, we will explore some of the possible causes and solutions for this issue.

Possible causes

There are several factors that can contribute to high memory usage and display malfunction in Windows 10, such as:

• Malware infection: Malware is malicious software that can infect your PC and perform unwanted actions, such as stealing your data, displaying ads, or consuming your system resources. Some malware can also interfere with your display drivers, causing them to malfunction or crash.
• Faulty hardware: Hardware components, such as RAM, CPU, GPU, or motherboard, can become faulty due to wear and tear, overheating, or physical damage. This can result in memory leaks, errors, or failures that affect your PC’s performance and stability.
• Corrupted system files: System files are essential for the proper functioning of Windows 10. However, they can become corrupted due to various reasons, such as power outages, disk errors, or improper shutdowns. Corrupted system files can cause Windows 10 to behave erratically or fail to load certain features or drivers.
• Outdated or incompatible drivers: Drivers are software that enable your PC to communicate with your hardware devices, such as your display, keyboard, mouse, or printer. Drivers need to be updated regularly to ensure compatibility and functionality with Windows 10. Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause conflicts, errors, or crashes that affect your PC’s performance and display.

Possible solutions

Depending on the cause of the issue, there are different solutions that you can try to fix high memory usage and display malfunction in Windows 10, such as:

• Scan and remove malware: The first step to troubleshoot any PC issue is to scan your PC for malware and remove any infections. You can use Windows Defender, the built-in antivirus software in Windows 10, or a third-party antivirus program of your choice. You can also use a malware removal tool, such as Malwarebytes, to detect and eliminate any hidden or stubborn malware.
• Check and replace hardware: The next step is to check your hardware components for any signs of damage or malfunction. You can use a hardware diagnostic tool, such as Windows Memory Diagnostic, to test your RAM for any errors. You can also use a CPU or GPU monitoring tool, such as HWMonitor, to check the temperature and usage of your processor and graphics card. If you find any faulty hardware, you should replace it as soon as possible.
• Repair system files: Another step is to repair your system files using the System File Checker (SFC) tool, which is a command-line utility that scans and restores any corrupted or missing system files. To run the SFC tool, you need to open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: `sfc /scannow`. The SFC tool will then scan your PC and repair any system files that it finds.
• Update or reinstall drivers: The final step is to update or reinstall your drivers using the Device Manager, which is a tool that allows you to manage your hardware devices and their drivers. To open the Device Manager, you need to right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager. Then, you need to find the device that you want to update or reinstall, such as your display adapter, right-click on it and select Update driver or Uninstall device. If you choose to update the driver, you can either let Windows search for the best driver automatically or browse your computer for the driver software. If you choose to uninstall the device, you need to restart your PC and let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.

Conclusion

High

memory usage and display malfunction in Windows 10 can be caused by various factors, such as malware infection, faulty hardware, corrupted system files, or outdated or incompatible drivers. To fix this issue, you can try to scan and remove malware, check and replace hardware, repair system files, or update or reinstall drivers. By following these steps, you can hopefully restore your PC’s performance and functionality and enjoy a smooth and stable Windows 10 experience.