How to fix
Capability Access Manager Service high CPU usage
on Windows

Hello. I noticed that my Windows PC got slow and laggy. It seems like a service named "Capability Access Manager" is using a high amount of CPU. Is there a way to fix this?

Capability Access Manager Service has been a source of concern for some Windows 11 and Windows 10 users, particularly among PC enthusiasts and gamers. Many complaints suggest that users have experienced unusually high CPU consumption associated with the Capability Access Manager Service when operating certain programs and games, most notably the Saints Row game series. When it comes to the overall performance and experience of users performing resource-intensive activities, like gaming, this problem can have a major influence.

The higher CPU use can cause several performance problems, such as lag, slowdowns, and in severe situations, even system freezes. This means that players will encounter weakened gameplay, lower frame rates, and an all-around less-than-ideal gaming experience. The Capability Access Manager Service, which is in charge of managing certain rights and capabilities inside the system, seems to become resource-intensive while these programs are running, which is what causes the documented CPU spikes.

recognize and take care of this problem if they want to maximize the performance of their system, particularly while engaging in resource-intensive activities like gaming. The precise causes may differ, however, modifying the Capability Access Manager Service system settings or looking into compatibility modes for the impacted programs are two possible fixes. Checking for updates for the operating system and individual apps may also be helpful to users, as developers often provide patches to fix compatibility problems and improve performance.

In this guide, you will find 7 steps that should help you fix Capability Access Manager Service high CPU usage in Windows. You can also run a maintenance tool like [d1] that can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-1] corrupted files, registry[ref en-2] issues, or clear cookies and cache.[ref en-3] Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Method 1. Install Windows Updates

• Click Start and select Settings.
• Go to the Windows Update section.
• Click Check for updates and wait.

• Go to the Advanced options and install optional updates.
• Reboot your system.

Method 2. Disable Superfetch and the Camsvc Services

• Press the Windows key + R to open the Run prompt.
• Type services.msc and press the Enter button.
• Locate the Capability Access Manager Service.
• Double-click on the Capability Access Manager Service.
• In the Startup type drop-down list, select Disabled.
• Click the OK button.
• Repeat the above steps for SysMain service.

Method 3. Fix Corrupted System Files

Use Command Prompt commands to repair system file corruption:

• Open Command Prompt as administrator
• Use the following command and press Enter:
  sfc /scannow

• Reboot your system
• If SFC returned an error, then use the following command lines, pressing Enter after each:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Method 4. Try Clean Boot

• Open the Search menu, type in system configuration, and press Enter.
• Under the Services tab, tick the Hide all Microsoft services box.
• Click on Disable all button.

• Head over to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
• Select a third-party program and click on Disable at the top.
• Repeat this step to disable all third-party apps and programs.
• Restart your PC to enter the clean boot state and see if the issue persists.
• If the issue disappeared in the clean boot state, then you can be certain that a third-party app is causing it.
• Go through all recently installed apps or programs and remove them one by one.

Method 5. Scan for Malware

A malware infection may be the cause of Capability Access Manager Service high CPU usage in Windows. It is important to run a comprehensive security scan to rule out this possibility and ensure that the computer is not infected. This can help to prevent further issues with the Windows operating system and ensure that it is functioning properly.

If you have access to a security scanner, or if your organization pays for one, you can use it to scan your entire system to check for a virus infection. Otherwise, you can use Windows Defender to scan your system:

• Click on the Windows Start menu or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
• Type Microsoft Defender in the search bar and click on Microsoft Defender Antivirus to open the application.
• Click on the Virus & threat protection option in the left-hand menu.
• Click on the Quick scan or Full scan option, depending on your preference.

• If you choose Quick scan, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will scan the most vulnerable and commonly infected areas of your computer.
• If you choose Full scan, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will scan your entire computer, including all files, folders, and programs.
• Click on the Scan now button to start the selected scan type and wait for the scan to complete.
• The time it takes will depend on the size of your hard drive and the number of files being scanned.
• Once the scan is complete, you will be informed of any detected threats, and you can choose to quarantine or remove them.
• If no threats are found, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will inform you that your device is secure.

Method 6. Use System Restore

System Restore is a feature in Microsoft Windows that allows users to revert their computer's state to a previous point in time. This can be helpful if you have made changes to your system that are causing problems.

• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
• Type SystemPropertiesProtection and press Enter.
• Go to the System Protection tab.

• You will see the System Restore… button. Click it to run System Restore.
• Follow the prompts until you can select a restore point.
• Select the one you want (ideally before the issue started occurring) and go ahead with the process.

Method 7. Repair Install Windows

If none of the previous steps helped you resolve the issue, your current installation of Windows may be corrupt. Perform a repair installation and see if it fixes the issue of updates not installing.

• Visit the official Microsoft website to download Windows 11 Installation Media.
• Run the Media Creation Tool and select Create Installation Media for another PC.
• Select your USB drive.
• Let the Process complete of writing the Installation files to the USB drive.
• Click Finish.
• On the PC you wish to upgrade, Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer.

• Open the Removable drive and click Setup.exe.
• Accept the license terms on the next screen.
• Confirm the Upgrade options – Files, apps and Settings are kept.
• Click Install, and the upgrade should start.