How to Fix CPU Stuck at Low Clock Speed in Windows 11 and 10

2024/09/19

CPU clock speed refers to the rate at which a CPU processes instructions, impacting overall system performance. If your system operates at a lower clock speed, it may affect performance negatively. The following steps can help you address this issue.

Resolve CPU Stuck at Low Clock Speed in Windows 11/10

Disable LLPPM via the Windows Registry
Turn off the Intel PM Driver
Adjust Processor State Settings
Troubleshoot Using Clean Boot

1] Disable LLPPM via the Windows Registry

The Low Latency Power Management Profile (LLPPM) enables power-saving modes when the system is idle, which can inadvertently limit CPU clock speeds. Disabling this setting may prevent excessive power consumption reductions:

Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Run dialog box and pressing Enter.
Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\intelppm

Double-click on the Start value and modify it to 4.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your system to implement the changes.

2] Turn off the Intel PM Driver

Restart your system while holding down the SHIFT key to access the Advanced Startup options.
In the Advanced Startup menu, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt to open the terminal and input the following command to access the Drivers folder:

cd C:\Windows\System32\drivers

Rename the Intel PPM file by typing:

ren intelppm.sys intelppm.sys.bak

Restart your system, allowing the CPU to function without locating the ppm file, potentially improving clock speed.

3] Adjust Processor State Settings

Setting your Processor state to its highest capability allows the CPU to increase clock speed according to workload demands. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I.
Go to Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
Select Processor Power Management -> Maximum Processor State.
Set 100% for both On Battery and Plugged in.
Expand the System Cooling Policy and set it to Active to prevent overheating.

4] Troubleshoot Using Clean Boot

A clean boot starts your system with only essential drivers. This process helps identify if a specific driver or application is causing the CPU to operate below optimal clock speeds. Here’s how to perform a clean boot:

Type msconfig in the Run dialog box and press Enter to access the System Configuration Utility.
Select the Services tab and check Hide All Microsoft Services.
Click Disable All, then click Apply followed by OK to restart your system.

If your CPU functions properly, enable services individually to determine which one was causing the issue.

How to Address a CPU Stuck at 100% Utilization?

Terminate Resource-Heavy Processes: To relieve CPU load, end processes that use excessive amounts of CPU resources:

Launch the Task Manager by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC.
Identify processes that significantly consume CPU, right-click on them, and select End Process.

Restart the Application Management Service: Restarting the service that manages applications can eliminate temporary files or processes that might be consuming excessive CPU:

Open the Services window by typing services.msc in the Run dialog box.
Find the Application Management service, right-click on it, and select Restart.

Reset the Power Plan: Unnecessary power usage or overheating issues can elevate CPU usage levels. Adjusting the power plan to balance performance and efficiency may alleviate the issue:

Open the Settings page by typing it into the Desktop Search Bar, then select Hardware > Power Options.
Choose the Balanced option, click Change Plan Settings, then select Restore Default Settings for this Plan.

Click Save Changes to confirm the settings.

Why Is My CPU Stuck at 0.38 GHz When Plugged In?

Thermal throttling or power management issues may cause your CPU to run at lower speeds:

Processor Overheating: This can lead to thermal throttling. Ensure your laptop’s fans and vents are free of dust and obstructions.
Power Settings: Using power-saving modes can restrict CPU performance. Switching your Power Plan to High Performance or Balanced may assist in increasing clock speed.

What Should You Do When the CPU Is Stuck?

Checking for overheating and adjusting Power Options can help fix the issue. If the CPU speed is excessively high, follow the solutions outlined in the first question to troubleshoot.

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