How to Fix Killer Network Service High CPU Usage
The Killer Network Service, also known as KNS, operates in the background of your PC and is commonly found in gaming laptops. While it enhances the gaming experience, it is not a Windows application and may present several performance-related problems. These issues can result in decreased PC speed and overall performance. In some cases, the Killer Network CPU Service may cause high CPU usage problems.
If you are experiencing high CPU usage due to the Killer Network Service, you may encounter issues such as PC lag, frequent frame drops during gameplay, and similar problems. This article aims to provide solutions for resolving high CPU usage caused by the Killer Network Service.
Contents
Is Killer Network Service A Virus?
As you are aware, the Killer Network Service (KNS) is a legitimate background service and not a virus. However, it is important to be cautious as malware can sometimes masquerade as the KNS, attempting to gain access to the location or path of various services on your computer. To determine if the KNS service on your PC is malware or not, you can follow the steps provided below:
- Open File Explorer on your PC by pressing the Windows + E key combination.
- Navigate to the following path: C:\programfiles\killernetworking\killercontrolcenter. Note: This path is applicable only to users who have the Killer Network Service installed on their systems.
- Right-click on the executable file associated with the Killer Network Service and select “Properties.”
- In the Properties window, verify if the path for the Killer Network Service matches the path mentioned above.
- If the path is the same, it indicates that the KNS is not a virus.
- However, if the path is different, it suggests that the KNS is potentially malware.
Fix High CPU usage Of Killer Network Service
So, the following are the methods using which you can fix the issue of high CPU usage of Killer Network Service.Â
Stop Killer Network Service
The Killer Network Service (KNS) is responsible for managing various processes, which can occasionally lead to compatibility issues and result in high CPU usage errors. If you wish to prevent the KNS from utilizing your CPU resources, you can follow the steps outlined below:
- Open the Start Menu and search for “Service.” Press Enter to proceed.
- Scroll through the list of services and locate “Killer Network Service.”
- Double-click on “Killer Network Service” to open its properties.
- Within the properties window, click on the “Stop” button to halt the service from running.
By following these steps, you will be able to stop the Killer Network Service from using your CPU, potentially resolving any high CPU usage issues associated with it.
Run DISM
If you are experiencing the mentioned issue, it is recommended to run DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) as a potential solution. To do this, please follow the steps provided below:
- Press the Windows key + S key combination to open the search bar. Then, type “CMD” (Command Prompt) in the search bar.
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as Administrator” option from the pop-up menu. This will open an elevated Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the command “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” and press Enter. This command will initiate the repair process for your system. It is important to note that this process should not cause significant data loss.
- Wait for the operation to complete. The DISM tool will automatically repair your system and address any underlying issues related to high CPU usage.
- If this method does not resolve the issue, you may need to explore alternative methods to tackle the problem.
By Using The Resource Monitor
The Resource Monitor command serves the primary purpose of identifying system issues. With this command, you can also address various problems, including high CPU usage caused by the Killer Network Service (KNS). To utilize this command, follow the steps outlined below:
- Press the Windows key + R key combination to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “resmon” into the Run dialog box and click “OK.”
- The Resource Monitor window will appear. Within this window, locate the entry for the Killer Network Service.
- Right-click on the Killer Network Service entry and select “End Process.”
By following these steps, you can use the Resource Monitor command to address high CPU usage attributed to the Killer Network Service.
By Uninstalling the Killer Network Service
Uninstalling the Killer Network Service (KNS) is an alternative method to address high CPU usage associated with it. Since the KNS is not a Windows service, its removal will have minimal impact on your system processes. To uninstall this service, please follow the steps provided below:
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard, then search for “Control Panel” and click on the first option that appears to open the Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel window, locate and click on the “Uninstall a program” option under the “Programs” section.
- Look for “Killer Network Manager Suite” in the list of installed programs and select it.
- Click on the “Uninstall” button and follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the program completely.
- Similarly, uninstall the “Killer Wireless Drivers” by locating them in the list of installed programs and following the same uninstallation process.
By following these steps, you can uninstall the Killer Network Service (KNS) and the associated Killer Wireless Drivers, potentially resolving the high CPU usage issue.
Switch To High Performance
Changing your power settings can be an effective way to address the high CPU usage issue. To modify your power service, please follow the steps provided below:
- Open the Control Panel on your PC.
- Search for “Power Options” within the Control Panel and click on it.
- Within the Power Options window, select the “High Performance” power plan.
- By choosing the High Performance power plan, you can potentially resolve the issue you have been encountering.
By following these steps and selecting the High Performance power plan, you may be able to alleviate the high CPU usage problem.
Reset/Reinstall Windows
If you are still experiencing the issue despite trying other methods, you can attempt to reset your Windows PC. Resetting your Windows PC will restore it to its default settings, which should resolve the problem you are facing. You can refer to our guide on resetting a Windows PC for detailed instructions. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can also consider reinstalling Windows as an alternative solution.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered the topic of the Killer Network Service and shared troubleshooting steps to address its high CPU usage. These steps should effectively resolve the issue in most cases. However, if none of the suggested solutions prove successful, resetting your Windows 11 operating system to its factory settings is a reliable option that is likely to help.