How to fix
Windows Audio Endpoint Builder high CPU usage
on Windows

Hello. I turned on my Windows PC today in the morning and found out that Windows Audio Endpoint Builder is taking up to 50% of my CPU. I tried disabling it, but then my computer is left without a sound, so this is not an option. I also tried to restart my PC several times, but it did not help, and the process keeps spiking. Any help, please?

Windows has plenty of processes to ensure that all its functions run as intended. This is why, if you would open the Task Managed, you would see dozens of entries, most of which lay doormat and do not consume any resources whatsoever. The process usage spikes whenever it is used - it is normal behavior and disappears as soon as the process is no longer in use.

Windows holds a lot of processes that support its functions, although third-party processes are also often implemented in order to support the correlated program's functions. Windows Audio Endpoint Builder is a part of the operating system, and users have spotted that it has been using way too much CPU[ref en-1] continually.

As it is evident, the process is a built-in one, which means that it is a part of the Windows operating system. To be more precise, Windows Audio Endpoint Builder handles end devices related to audio - speakers, headphones, and similar peripherals.

Windows Audio Endpoint Builder high CPU usage can occur under various circumstances. Some users said that it started randomly one day, while others claim that the issue occurred after they installed software or Windows update.

There could be many reasons for the problem to occur, e.g., incorrect audio settings, general system bugs, corrupted registries,[ref en-3] corrupted audio drivers,[ref en-2] and more. Therefore, we provide several solutions that should help you fix Windows Audio Endpoint Builder high CPU usage once and for all.

Before you begin, we would like to recommend running a scan with a powerful PC repair tool [d1] - it can find corrupted system files and repair them automatically for you, consequently fixing the most common Windows issues.

Fix 1. Run sound troubleshooter

Since the component that causes high resource usage is related to Windows audio, you should start by running the troubleshooter as explained below.

• Type troubleshoot in Windows search and press Enter
• Select Additional troubleshooters on the right
• Pick Playing Audio and click Run the troubleshooter

  

• Apply the suggested searches.

On Windows 11, go to Settings > System, select Other troubleshooters to find Windows Audio troubleshooter.

Fix 2. Disable Audio Enhancements

• Right-click on the Speakers icon in your taskbar and select Sounds
• Go to the Playback tab
• Select your speakers or headphones that have the green marking next to it
• Click Properties in the bottom-right corner
• Go to the Enhancement tab
• Tick Disable all enhancements and click Apply and OK.

  

Fix 3. Prevent applications to take control of your audio

• Follow the steps in the previous solution to access Sound Properties once again
• Go to the Advanced tab
• Untick the Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device checkbox

  

• Click Apply and OK.

Fix 4. Install the latest audio driver

The outdated or corrupt audio drivers could be causing Windows Audio Endpoint Builder high CPU. Try updating them as follows:

• Type Update in Windows search and hit Enter
• Click Check for updates and install everything available
• Then, click View optional updates
• Find the Driver Updates section, tick the checkboxes, and click Download and Install

  

• Restart your computer.

Windows might fail to find all the necessary driver updates, so we recommend either downloading relevant drivers from the official website of the device maker or using [rev id="DriverFix"] driver updater - it would make you forget driver problems for good.

Fix 5. Reinstall the audio driver

If updating the audio drivers did not help, you should reinstall it after deleting the one that is currently installed. Follow these steps:

• Right-click on Start and pick Device Manager (or type Device Manager in Windows search)
• Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section
• Select your audio driver, e.g., NVIDIA High Definition Audio or Intel R
• Right-click and select Uninstall device
• In the new prompt, tick the Delete the driver software for this device and click Uninstall

  

• Follow on-screen instructions and restart your PC once finished
• Now download and install the latest audio driver using one of the methods explained above.

Fix 6. Run SFC and DISM

To check your system for corrupted files, run commands via elevated Command Prompt.

• In Windows search, type cmd
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
• When User Account Control shows up, click Yes
• In the new window, use the following command and press Enter:
  sfc /scannow
• Wait till the scan is finished, and then run the following commands (press Enter after each):
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

  

• When complete, reboot your PC.

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