How to fix
Windows Push Notifications User Service high CPU or memory usage
on Windows

Hello. I noticed in Task Manager that the Windows Push Notifications User Service uses about 20% or 30% of CPU and RAM. What should I do?

High CPU[ref en-1] or memory usage in Windows can occasionally be caused by the Windows Push Notifications User Service, a background system process that manages push notifications from different apps and services. Many users have experienced this problem, which can be very annoying because it affects the responsiveness and functionality of the system.

Although it doesn't happen frequently, one user noticed that it seems to happen more often after they have been in full-screen mode. Although the precise cause of this behavior may not always be known, it appears that specific circumstances or actions are what cause the high CPU or memory consumption that is related to this service. This finding could point to a possible relationship between the graphics or display settings in full-screen apps and the Windows Push Notifications User Service.

The effects of this problem on users may be profound. Applications that are unresponsive and slow system performance can be caused by high CPU or memory use. Additionally, it may impair multitasking abilities, making it difficult for users to efficiently use other applications. Furthermore, excessive use of system resources can shorten the lifespan of computer components by causing overheating.

Users can investigate a few possible solutions to deal with this issue. Disabling the Windows Push Notifications User Service is one way, but doing so can prevent you from getting notifications from other programs. Updating Windows and the impacted apps is an additional strategy to make sure that any known problems are fixed. These kinds of issues are occasionally fixed by system updates. In order to see if there are any conflicts preventing the service from operating normally, users can also look for conflicts with antivirus, drivers, or third-party applications.

In this guide, you will find 6 steps that should help you fix Windows Push Notifications User Service high CPU or memory usage in Windows. You can also run a maintenance tool like [d1] that can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-2] corrupted files, and registry[ref en-3] issues. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Solution 1. 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

Solution 2. 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.

Solution 3. Disable Notification Services

• Right-click the Start menu and select Settings.
• In Settings, search for notification and action.
• Here, under notification, turn off everything.
• Restart the PC.

Solution 4. Disable WpnUserService Service

• Search for services.msc in the Start menu and launch it.
• Here, look for Windows Push Notification Service and double-click it. Stop the service and, from the startup type, select disable.
• Apply the changes and reboot your PC.

Solution 5. 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.

Solution 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.