How to Fix Runtime Broker High CPU Usage Error on Windows 10?

Hey Folks? If you are reading this article, then you might have come across Runtime Broker High CPU Usage error on your PC. The first thing coming to your mind would be what is this Runtime Broker and why it is running on my PC?

Don’t worry if this is your query then you have landed on the right page and here in this guide, I will answer all the queries related to this Runtime Broker.exe high CPU usage error on Windows 10.

What is Runtime broker?

Runtime Broker process was first introduced by Microsoft in Windows 8 and still continues to be used in Windows 10. This (RuntimeBroker.exe) is an executable file located in the Windows System32 folder on the computer.

The main task of Runtime Broker is to check if the applications you are using on your Windows computer have all the required permissions to run on your system such as to check whether universal apps are declaring all of their permissions like access to system location, microphone, webcam, etc. Runtime Broker always monitors the accesses to Windows API.

It also ensures that the apps should not violate the core security of the System.  In short, Runtime Broker acts as a bridge between the application and the system security and thus gives way to those applications that have all the permissions. It acts as a middleman that checks whether the app is following the trust and privacy setting configured by you.

Runtime Broker High CPU Usage Write Error

Although it generally runs in the background, it’s activity will arise when a universal app is launched. Runtime broker usually takes a very low memory profile typically in the range of 15-45 MB. Once a universal app is launched, its memory consumption will increase to 500-700 MB. Usually, it drops down after a few minutes, but if it doesn’t then there’s a problem of Runtime Broker High Disk usage. Once all the universal apps are closed, its memory consumption drops back to normal memory range.

Runtime Broker error messages reported by the users

Here are some of the common Runtime Broker High CPU usage error messages encountered by the number of users:

This message indicates that your antivirus may have blocked the access to the runtime broker.exe file. So check your antivirus log and treat the error accordingly.

The runtime broker application may have been damaged. Reinstall the application afresh to resolve this error.

This error message indicates that the runtimebroker.exe is not installed. Install the application to get rid of this error.

This error message specifies that the runtimebroker.exe is not compatible with your system configuration. Install the correct version of the application.

Any hardware component of your system may be creating issues. Keep a thorough check of your system’s hardware components.

This error notifies that the .DLL file required for running runtimebroker.exe is missing or not updated. Either reinstall the application or if it is already installed then update to the latest compatible version.

Troubleshooting Tips to Fix this Error

One of the biggest misconceptions associated with the Runtime Broker is that it’s behaving abnormally because it’s been attacked by a runtime broker virus. It is a native Windows process and its behavior cannot be affected by a virus. It may be the case that one of the universal apps has a bug or that the app has been affected by a virus that is, in turn, causing the runtime broker high disk usage. You can trace the location of the runtime broker.exe file inside the Windows System32 folders in your C drive. If it’s in that location then it’s not affected by a virus.

How to Fix Runtime Broker High CPU Usage Error?

Generally, Runtime Broker access low memory and perform smoothly in the computer but some corrupted applications abruptly change its behavior and due to the same, Runtime Broker shows high CPU error. However, if your computer is running slow and Runtime Broker is consuming more CPU, then follow the steps listed to fix the issue.

Terminate Runtime Broker.exe file from Task Manager

This is a temporary and quick fix method that will stop the Runtime Broker error Windows 10 to operate in the system.

• Go to the ‘Start’ menu and right-click on it and select ‘Task Manager’.

• Click on the ‘Runtime Broker’ and at the bottom of the page click on the ‘End Task’ button.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Another simple method to get rid of this Runtime Broker error is to run Windows Update troubleshooter. This can be launched either by the Control Panel or from the Settings page. Just run the troubleshooter by any of the methods and wait until it has completed the scan. Restart your computer and check for the error.

Disable Windows support features ‘Show me tips about Windows’

Windows 10 offers multiple features to the users so that they can access the OS effectively and one such is the Tips part, it helps the beginners to understand the Windows easily. So, disabling this feature will prevent Runtime Broker Windows 10 to consume more memory. Follow the process.

• Click on the ‘Start’ menu and select ‘Settings’.

• The ‘Windows Settings’ page will appear and click on the ‘System’.

• Select ‘Notifications & actions’.

• Select ‘Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows’ and after that toggle the button to turn it off.

Disable Background Applications

If the above solutions didn’t work then disable the background applications. By disabling the background applications you can reduce the load on CPU up to some extent which will enable CPU usage to definitely go down.

• Go to Settings and click on Privacy settings.

• Look for the background applications. Toggle all these running applications to Off.

• Close the Settings window and go to Task Manager to check for the error.

Install Windows Updates

• Click on the Start button and search for the Windows Updates in the search bar.

• Click on Check for Update. And then go with showing the available Windows Updates if any.

• If any update is available then click on the Install Updates to get them.

Clean-Up all system junk files

Regular usage of any system always results in the accumulation of junk files. It is always recommended to clean-up system junk files regularly. If you have not cleaned-up your system junk files for long then there are chances that the accumulated junk files can cause high CPU usage affecting the overall performance of your system.

• Open Start menu and type “command” in the search bar.

• Hold Ctrl + Shift keys simultaneously and press Enter. Click Yes in the dialogue box seeking permission.
• And then type “cleanmgr” in the black box and press Enter. (You can also open the same by entering “cleanmgr” in Run box followed by Win+R keys.)

• You need to choose the drive which you want to clean.

• Now the result will be displayed on your screen with a series of various checkboxes. Check all the unwanted categories and click Ok.

• Most often the Temporary Files have taken the maximum space causing the High CPU Usage error.

•  It will clean all the files and hopefully, the High CPU Usage error has gone.

Modify Windows Updates

This is an effective method to prevent Runtime Broker Windows 10 to consume more CPU usage. The process is an easy one and in this process, you can modify Windows Updates by disabling a feature ‘Allow downloads from other PCs’. The steps are listed below.

• Click on the ‘Start’ button and select ‘Settings’.

• Choose ‘Update and Security’.

• Select ‘Advanced options’.

• Scroll down the next page and select ‘Delivery Optimization’.

• You will get a feature ‘Allow downloads from other PCs’, select it and turn the radio button in off mode.

Disable Runtime Broker from Registry Editor

After applying the above methods, if Runtime Broker Windows 10 is still consuming the memory, then disable it permanently. Well, don’t worry it will not affect your system and in the future, you can enable it easily.

• Press ‘Windows’ + ‘R’ keys simultaneously to open Run window  and type ‘regedit’ in the box and click on the ‘OK’ button.

• In the ‘Registry Editor’ window, select ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE’ and click on the arrow button to get additional settings.

• Now select ‘SYSTEM’; click on the arrow button located at the left end of the folder and choose ‘CurrentControlSet’ from the featured options.

• In the menu of ‘CurrentControlSet’, select ‘Services’.

• Now, click on the arrow button located parallel to the ‘Services’ folder and choose ‘TimeBrokerSvc’.

• Click on ‘TimeBrokerSvc’ and select the ‘Start’ file.

• Double-click on the ‘Start’ file, and soon, a pop-up will appear, move to the ‘Value data’ section and insert 4 in the box and click on the ‘OK’ button.

• That’s it; Runtime Broker is disabled from the system. However, if you want to enable it again, then change the value data to 3 in place of 4.

Conclusion

That’s it; the above-said solutions will minimize the consumption of memory by Runtime Broker. If you feel this article helpful please like, share, and follow our Facebook page and keep visiting our website for such tutorials and guides.