This problem started suddenly yesterday. As soon as Windows finishes starting, memory usage jumps to around 93%, even though only the usual startup programs are running. I normally never see this level of usage. When I launch Overwatch, memory usage reaches about 99%, causing major frame drops and very low FPS. Restarting the computer temporarily fixes the issue, but I'm worried it may return. What could be causing this hidden memory usage, and how can I track it down?
3 Answers
Open Task Manager, sort the Processes tab by Memory, and check which program is actually using the most RAM. Also confirm how much total memory your system has. If the top process is only using around 1 GB, check the overall usage and look for background services or unusually high system usage.
A restart temporarily fixing it could point to a memory leak or a background process that gets stuck. Try disabling all nonessential startup apps, rebooting, and then re-enabling them one at a time. That should help identify whether one of them triggers the problem.
It’s also worth running a full malware scan, including Windows Defender’s Offline scan, especially if an unknown process is consuming memory. If the issue continues and no process explains it, repair or reinstall Windows only as a last resort, after backing up your files.
I haven’t downloaded anything suspicious recently, so malware seems less likely, but I’ll run an offline scan just to rule it out.
I’ll try that. After restarting, the usage went back to normal, but I’m concerned the issue might come back.