Windows Driver Foundation Using CPU

What is Windows Driver Foundation and why is it using 50% of my CPU?

If you’ve ever noticed your computer responding slowly, either because your browser or you get lag in a game, only to open Windows Task Manager and find that Windows Driver Foundation – User-mode Driver Framework Host Process is using 50% or more of your CPU, you know exactly how frustrating that can be.

I had this happen on a regular basis with my own Windows 10 computer and I finally figured out that my wireless mouse was the culprit. The mouse is slightly older, but it still works great and I like the way it feels in my hand. My solution for awhile was to use Task Manager to end Windows Driver Foundation – User-mode Driver Framework Host Process anytime it started to slow my system down. After about 16 hours, it would be back to slowing my computer down again.

What I didn’t realize is that this entire problem exists because my mouse needed an updated driver that was more compatible with the version of Windows 10 on my computer. I’ve gotten so used to things automatically updating that I’d kind of forgotten about driver updates for devices. Many USB peripherals suffer from this same problem. Some internal devices, like the wireless radio used to connect to your WiFi network may also cause this problem.

The solution is to check for driver updates and make sure that all of your devices, both internal and external, are running the latest drivers optimized for Windows 10. Also make sure that the driver you install is the correct one for either 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, depending on which version you have installed.

If you still see Windows Driver Foundation – User-mode Driver Framework Host Process consuming more than 50% CPU, check and see how old your various peripherals are. If your mouse, keyboard, printer, or other devices are several years old, it might be time to consider an upgrade.