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6 Easy Fixes for COM Surrogate High CPU Usage

Tested and proven ways to normalize your system resource usage

4 min. read

Updated onSeptember 16, 2024

updated onSeptember 16, 2024

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Resolve multiple Windows PC issues and speed up your PC effortlessly with specialized software.

In this guide, we will show you the easy ways to fix the COM Surrogate high CPU or high RAM usage. Despite being a basic process, it’s registering high resource usage for some users.

COM Surrogate helps run software extensions and handles tasks like thumbnail extraction in File Explorer. Here’s how to reduce the amount of CPU or RAM it uses:

How do I fix COM Surrogate high CPU, disk and memory usage?

Before starting the steps below, complete any pending downloads. COM Surrogate may be building thumbnail previews, causing high CPU usage.

1. Perform a clean boot

Click theServicestab at the top, check the box forHide all Microsoft services, and clickDisable all.
ChooseStartupat the top and clickOpen Task Manager.
Right-click each of the processes there and selectDisable.
Now, go back to the System Configuration window and clickApply, followed byOK.

A clean boot starts your PC with only essential services. If the issue is fixed, re-enable apps in batches to find the cause.

2. Perform SFC and DISM scans

Broken orcorrupt system filescause many problems on PCs, and it is not surprising that it can lead to the COM Surrogate high CPU usage. Note that you should run the DISM scan even if the SFC scan fails.

3. Scan for malware

Malware can sometimes hide under a system process and cause it to behave abnormally. This can be the reason COM Surrogate is registering high CPU usage.

Alternatively, if you want to be sure that you have removed even the most hidden viruses, we recommend using a third-party antivirus likeESET NOD32. This security software scans your PC thoroughly and removes all traces of malware.

4. Close the process using Task Manager

After ending this process, check if the problem is resolved.

5. Use Process Monitor to find the problematic file

Sometimes a corrupt image or video file can cause theCOM Surrogatehigh CPU usage issue. In this case, you need to find the file and remove it to restore normal service on your PC.

6. Check your hard drive for errors

At times, COM Surrogate does not just register high CPU usage but also high memory use. To make sure everything is alright with your memory, you need to run the CHKDSK command and try to fix any corrupt sectors.

COM Surrogate’s high CPU usage can result from third-party apps, corrupt system files, or malware. To address high CPU usage, perform a clean boot to identify problematic apps, repair any corrupt system files, and run a virus scan to detect malware.

Are you facing a similar issue withExplorer.exe high CPU usageorWindows 11 High CPU Usage? Then, check our excellent guides for the surefire ways to fix them.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

6 Easy Fixes for COM Surrogate High CPU Usage#

How do I fix COM Surrogate high CPU, disk and memory usage?#

1. Perform a clean boot#

2. Perform SFC and DISM scans#

3. Scan for malware#

4. Close the process using Task Manager#

5. Use Process Monitor to find the problematic file#

6. Check your hard drive for errors#