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FIX: CPU not showing all cores in Task Manager

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 9, 2024

updated onOctober 9, 2024

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Key notes

TheTask Manageris an incredibly useful tool that many Windows users tend to ignore, primarily because all it does is show graphs and numbers that everyone may understand.

It can be used to monitor active processes on yourPC, theCPUandRAMusage of different programs, as well as somehardwarespecifics. For more detailed specs, check out theCPU Z tool.

One good example is how you can use theTask Managerto monitor the number of cores and threads on yourCPU.

However, some usersreportedthat they are having issues with this aspect ofTask Manager, as it shows fewer cores and threads than theCPUactually has:

Its an old cpu and after a long time i went into thetask managerand it only shows 1 core and 2 logical processors even though the intel site mentions 2 cores and 4 threads.

This is a problem that especially occurs on lower-end PCs, such as those that are dual-core in nature.

Since not everyone can afford to constantly upgrade, we’ve created this guide that will show you exactly what to do in this kind of situation.

How to show all cores in Task Manager?

How to show all cores in Task Manager?

1. Use a different monitoring tool

Sometimes this issue can be a simple display bug fromTask Manager. Simply restart thePCand check again. If the number of cores and threads is still inconsistent, you should try using a different monitoring tool for yourCPU.

There are plenty of software tools out there that can monitor yourCPUactivity, and many of them are even better thanTask Manager. PRTG Network Monitor is a great example.

It can monitor the number of cores and threads, check the temperature, minimum and maximum processing speeds, and more.

⇒Get PRTG Network Monitor

2. Make sure all of your CPU cores are enabled

Note:By design, this system setting can only be used to reduce the number of cores yourCPUuses, since the system’s goal is always to make the most of your processors.

That being said, if you do find this system setting modified to less than the default value, it may be the result of another software’s tampering.

By following these steps, you should be able to see the correct number of processors when using task Manage or any other monitoring program.

3. Replace the CPU

If you are running a much olderPC, then maybe the reason you are seeing fewer cores is that theCPUis giving in. If none of the solutions mentioned above yield any results, then your best bet is to simply get a newCPU.

There areplenty of upgrade optionsfor you to choose from. Besides, getting a brand new CPU will greatly affect your PC’s performance, since the processor is the brain of your computer.

That concludes our article. Make sure to follow our solutions thoroughly and, if you’re aware of another way to solve this problem, share it in the comments section below so that other users can try it, as well.

More about the topics:CPU

Teodor Nechita

Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.

When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.

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