Share this article

Improve this guide

7 ways to fix CtHelper.exe high CPU issues on Windows 10

9 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

7 methods to fix CtHelper.exe high CPU usage

If you are having the issue ofCtHelper.exe highCPUon your computer, this article is for you. CtHelper.exe is anexecutablecomputer file, installed alongside Creative Sound Blaster (a sound card) which is a product of Creative Technologies, a renowned digital solution company that specializes in the production of computer sound and video boards.

What is CtHelper.exe?

The file is an essential third-party component ofcomputer’s audio system, especially on Mac and a host of Windows versions. It is also an automated process that runs in the background.

Is CtHelper.exe a virus?

CtHelper.exe is often misconceived by many as avirus. However, the file is not a virus; rather, it is an utility file. Nevertheless, various forms of malicious contents are known to attack computers, ranging from malware to trojan to spyware. These files often adopt similar name and file size as CtHelper.exe on your computer system (especially on Windows). As such, it could cause significant damage to your computer, in the guise of being a CtHelper.exe file.

In light of the foregoing, malicious files can result in the “Cthelper.exe highCPU” issue, by building up irrelevant entries on the file, which use moreCPUspace.

While CtHelper.exe file is normally harmless, it exposes computer systems to a host oferrorsand external attacks, ranging from malware attack to the more significant highCPUerror, which can affect theoverall performance of a computer system.

In this article, we have compiled some solutions, which can be adopted to fix the issue of “CtHelper.exe highCPU” and other relatederrorson your computer.

Aside the more significant CtHelper.exe highCPUissue, there are other CtHelper.exeerrors, which can disrupt the overall performance and functionality of your system. Some of theseerrorsinclude:

Some of the above outlinederrorsare caused by corrupt CtHelper.exe Windows affiliate programs, incomplete installation of Sound Blaster, malware or trojan attack and more.

However, as emphasized above, the most notorious of theseerrorsis the CtHelper.exe highCPUissue. You can try the methods listed below to fix it.

How to fix CtHelper.exe high CPU issues

Method 1: Disable CtHelper.exe auto-start function

Cthelper. exe is notorious for dominating a computer’sCPUspace. It basically utilizesCPUin excess, and most times, it runs yourCPUup to full capacity (100%), thereby inundating your system. To fix this issue andreduce CPU usage, you need to remove the automation capability of the file by disabling it from starting on boot. To do this, follow the steps below:

Upon restart, the CtHelper.exe will not start with your computer and you can rest assure that there will be no unnecessary build up on yourCPU.

Method 2: Use MalwarebytesAdwcleaner

MalwarebytesAdwcleaner is one of the most reliable malware cleaning tools for Windows. It can be adopted to detect and remove malwares disguising as CtHelper.exe from your system.

Follow the steps outlined below to run the program on your computer system.

The above outlined process should clear any malware on your system, including the one affecting your CtHelper.exe file. Nevertheless, you can try a host of other malware clearing tools likeEmsisoft,CCleaner, and others.

Clearing malicious contents on your computer system would normally increase the operability of your system. However, accumulated non-malicious junk files and programs would still be present and this could, in a way or another, result in the CtHelper highCPUissue. Hence, it is recommended you clean up your system.

Method 3: Clean up computer with “cleanmgr” (Disk Cleanup)

Accumulated files and programs could be a pain in the ass. Most of these are usually retained or left over files from web browsers, system or installed apps. If this log of unsolicited files is left to build up, it can disrupt the operability of CtHelper.exe.

With this, the file uses moreCPUspace than normal, thereby resulting in CtHelper.exe highCPUissue. The in-built tool for cleaning up system log is “Disk Cleanup“.

Follow the steps below to run the Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) program.

— READ ALSO:Fix: High CPU temperature in Windows 10

Method 4: Use System Restore

If the CtHelper.exe file on your device is occupying excessiveCPUspace or it encounters othererrors, you can easilyrestore your computer systemto an earlier settings.

This will clear recent files and modifications, and restore your system to when everything was working perfectly. This is essentially a Windows function, and you can run it on all Windows devices, ranging fromWindows XPtoWindows 10.

Follow the steps below to execute the system restore process on your computer system.

This action will set your system back to an earlier time, and every unwanted latest files would be cleared. This would, no doubt, reduce your computer’sCPUspace.

Method 5: Run SFC scan

SFCis a Windows tool, designed to assist you in scanning corrupt files on your system. As such,SFCis able to check for CtHelper.exeerrors, including excessCPUusage.

Follow the steps below to run a system file check.

The system checker will scan your computer’s CtHelper.exe file and other programs forerrors. Any detectederroris fixed and automatically restored by the SFC tool.

You can also try the next method, if this one doesn’t work for you.

Method 6: Install the latest Windows updates

Windows is regularly updated by Microsoft, and the primary function of these updates is to improve the overallperformanceof computers. In this case, installing the latest update could be the ultimate solution to the CtHelper.exe highCPUissue and other relatederrors.

Follow the steps below to check for updates and install them on your Windows computer systems.

If the above method is unable to fix CtHelper.exeerrorand reduce the file’sCPUusage, you can then adopt the next (last) solution.

Method 7: Uninstall & Reinstall CtHelper.exe affiliated program – Creative Sound Blaster

If, after exhausting all available options, you are still battling with the issue of CtHelper.exe highCPUand other relatederrors, you can try uninstalling & reinstalling the CtHelper.exe-affiliated program.

Note: Procedures for uninstalling programs differ across Windows boards. As such, each Windows version has its specific means of running this operation. For convenience, we’ll stick with Windows 7.

To uninstall the Sound Blaster on Windows 7, follow the steps below.

CtHelper.exe is a utility file, which is an associated function of Sound Blaster; an essential component of a computer’s audio system. The file is known to occupy significantCPUspace, which could run up to 100%. This is the basis for the CtHelper.exe highCPUissue.

This post has provided a total of eight solutions, which can be adopted to solve the CtHelper.exe highCPUissue and other relatederrorson your computer. Depending on your system specs, one or more of the solutions should work for you.

7 ways to fix CtHelper.exe high CPU issues on Windows 10#

7 methods to fix CtHelper.exe high CPU usage#

What is CtHelper.exe?#

Is CtHelper.exe a virus?#

How to fix CtHelper.exe high CPU issues#

Method 1: Disable CtHelper.exe auto-start function#

Method 2: Use MalwarebytesAdwcleaner#

Method 3: Clean up computer with “cleanmgr” (Disk Cleanup)#

Method 4: Use System Restore#

Method 5: Run SFC scan#

Method 6: Install the latest Windows updates#

Method 7: Uninstall & Reinstall CtHelper.exe affiliated program – Creative Sound Blaster#