Facing high CPU usage issues with Malwarebytes can be quite a hurdle for us, especially if we expect seamless performance from our security tools. Malwarebytes, a robust antivirus software, is designed to offer us real-time protection against a vast array of malicious software, but it’s not immune to occasional performance hiccups. When our protection software starts to consume excessive CPU resources, we might notice our system bogging down, which could hinder our productivity dramatically or affect other running applications.
From our experiences, troubleshooting high CPU usage involves a multi-step approach that starts with understanding the core issue. We look at possible incompatibilities with other installed software, unnecessary background processes, or outdated versions of Malwarebytes that might be causing the trouble. It’s crucial for us to maintain the balance between security and system performance. Let’s dive in and explore ways to fine-tune Malwarebytes settings, manage scheduled scans and updates, or configure other system adjustments to keep our computers running smoothly while staying protected.
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Understanding the Problem
When Malwarebytes Service shows high CPU usage, it’s crucial to quickly pinpoint and address the issue to ensure optimal system performance.
Identify the Symptoms
We often notice a lag in our computer’s performance or hear the cooling fans working overtime. On closer inspection, we may find the culprit to be excessive CPU usage by a particular process. In this case, it’s the “MBAMService.exe” associated with Malwarebytes, a well-known anti-malware tool.
Check Current CPU Usage
To quantify the problem, we access the Task Manager in Windows—a real-time monitor for CPU usage and other system resources. Scrolling through the list of processes, we’re specifically looking for “MBAMService.exe.”
| Task Manager | CPU Usage | Impact on Performance |
| MBAMService.exe | High Percentage | System Slowdown |
| Other Processes | Varies | Assess Impact |
By accurately measuring CPU usage, we can determine if Malwarebytes Service is indeed causing the bottleneck. High CPU usage may not always raise red flags, but consistent or extreme figures certainly warrant our attention and action.
Immediate Solutions
When addressing high CPU usage by Malwarebytes, it’s crucial to take prompt and effective actions. Let’s explore proven steps to mitigate this issue efficiently.
Terminate Unnecessary Processes
Update Malwarebytes
Temporarily Disable Real-Time Protection
Advanced Troubleshooting
In our experience, these advanced methods can help resolve persistent high CPU usage issues with Malwarebytes. We’ll go through the steps to reinstall Malwarebytes, check for system incompatibilities, and optimize Windows settings.
Reinstall Malwarebytes
Sometimes a simple fresh start is what it takes to solve an issue. We recommend a clean install, which includes using the Malwarebytes Support Tool. This tool can efficiently remove previous installations and leftover files. Here’s what we do:
- Download the Malwarebytes Support Tool.
- Run the tool and select the ‘Advanced’ tab.
- Choose ‘Clean’ to start the uninstallation process.
- After the tool completes, restart your computer.
- Reinstall the latest version of Malwarebytes.
Investigate System Incompatibilities
We’ve found that third-party software can sometimes clash with Malwarebytes, leading to high CPU usage. This can be especially true for antivirus programs on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Checking for software conflicts is critical, and here’s the step-by-step way to do it:
| Identify & Resolve Incompatibilities |
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Step 1: Review all active programs for unexpected behaviors. Step 2: Configure exclusions in other security software for Malwarebytes. Step 3: Use Windows Event Viewer to look for error logs. Step 4: Consult with respective software vendor support if a conflict is found. |
Optimize Windows Settings
At times, the culprit is Windows settings that are not optimized for Malwarebytes. We always make sure Windows is up-to-date and configured properly. For instance, making adjustments to the power settings can conserve CPU usage:
- Navigate to ‘Power Options’ in Control Panel.
- Change the plan settings to ‘High performance’.
- Modify individual settings to prioritize system performance.
Optimizing Malwarebytes Performance
To ensure optimal functionality of Malwarebytes while minimizing its performance impact, we need to focus on the adjustment of scan schedules and the customization of the exclusion list. This allows us to balance security with system resource utilization efficiently.
Adjust Scan Schedules
We can significantly lower the CPU and memory usage by fine-tuning the frequency and timing of the scans. Manual scans should be done during periods of low activity to avoid affecting the system’s performance. In contrast, scheduled scans should be set for times when the device is not in use.
Here’s a straightforward approach to modifying the scan schedule:
- Open the Malwarebytes interface.
- Navigate to the Settings tab and select Scan Schedule.
- Adjust the schedule to a time that suits low-usage periods.
By setting non-peak hours for malware scans, we ensure a minimal impact on performance.
Customize Exclusion List
Files or applications incorrectly identified as threats can cause unnecessary CPU load. By carefully curating the exclusion list, we can enhance performance. Adding reliable software and processes to the exclusion list prevents these items from being scanned unnecessarily.
We recommend taking the following steps to establish an effective exclusion list:
- Access Malwarebytes and go to Settings.
- Select the Exclusions tab.
- Add items to the list that you’ve safely identified as non-malicious.
| Entity | Recommendation | Impact on Performance |
| Trusted Applications | Include in Exclusion List | Decreases CPU Usage |
| Regularly Accessed Files | Consider for Exclusion | Reduces Scan Time |
This keeps Malwarebytes’ operation lean and highly efficient, focusing its resources only on potentially malicious files and ensuring maximum protection without the drag on system resources. If you’re also running another antivirus program, ensure you add Malwarebytes to its exclusion list to prevent any conflict that might lead to increased CPU usage. Remember, exploit protection and other real-time features should remain active to maintain security integrity.