Starting with the 2025 Season 3, we introduced a High CPU Usage Warning
A new alert warning has been added to indicate high CPU usage, which indicates you may not be keeping up in real time, which causes multiplayer networking issues.
This new alert appears in the network warning box and includes an icon of a CPU and color-coded text of the CPU usage value.
High CPU usage means your computer's processor is working at or near its maximum capacity, potentially causing performance issues like slow response times, lag, and even system freezes.
This can be triggered by resource-intensive applications, background processes, or even malware.
Addressing high CPU usage involves identifying the culprit and taking steps like closing unnecessary applications, updating software, or scanning for malware.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Causes of High CPU Usage:
Resource-intensive applications:
Certain programs, especially those with demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, can naturally consume a lot of CPU power.
Background processes:
Many applications run in the background, even when you're not actively using them, and these can contribute to CPU usage.
Malware:
Viruses and other malicious software can consume CPU resources, often without your knowledge.
Outdated software and drivers:
Old drivers or software can be less efficient and consume more CPU resources.
Too many AI for your system:
Each AI car adds additional load to the host system, with a large field this can require a large amount of CPU resources and some systems may struggle until the number of AI is reduced.
Overheating:
If your CPU is overheating, it can trigger performance throttling, which can lead to high CPU usage.
Hardware issues:
In some cases, hardware problems can also cause high CPU usage.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Identify resource-intensive processes:
Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to see which processes are consuming the most CPU.
Close unnecessary applications: Close any applications or tabs that you're not actively using.
Disable startup programs: Disable unnecessary startup programs in Task Manager's Startup tab to reduce load at boot.
Update software and drivers: Ensure your operating system, drivers, and applications are up to date.
Reduce number of AI: Reduce the number of AI to reduce CPU load
Scan for malware: Run a scan with your antivirus or anti-malware software.
Check for overheating: Ensure your computer's cooling system is functioning correctly and that there's no excessive dust buildup.
Limit background activity: Disable or limit background processes in Windows settings to reduce CPU load.
Adjust power plans: Switching to a "High Performance" or "Balanced" power plan can prevent CPU throttling.
Disable Efficiency Mode: Confirm that Efficiency Mode for resource-intensive processes is disabled for iRacing in Task Manager.
Consider a system restore: As a last resort, you can try a system restore to a point where your computer was working normally.
By addressing these potential causes and following the troubleshooting steps, you can effectively manage high CPU usage and improve your computer's performance.