Click-to-Run High CPU Usage

Anonymous
2020-06-09T15:24:20+00:00

Recently I noticed that there was a background application constantly running on my PC called 'click-to-run'. It runs from the moment I switch on the PC and it never stops and even if I stop the task, it will simply start again. It uses around 25% CPU load and when opening an Office app, like Word, that app uses another 25%. I am using Office 365 which I downloaded through the Education bundle which they offer. Is there a fix for this high CPU load please?

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Anonymous
2020-06-15T14:17:34+00:00

Hi All,

Thanks for the detailed information provided. We would like to make a short summary on this issue to help the other users who might have same/similar issues in this community to quickly identify the issue.

Issue Symptom:

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When using the Office applications, they will use a lot of the CPU resources.

In the task manager, the Microsoft Office Click-to-Run(SxS) will consume 25%-50% of the CPU usage.

 

Issue Environment:

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Microsoft 365 Apps with Current & Current(Preview) update Channel

Version 2005 (12827.20328)

Version 2005 (12827.20336)

Version 2005 (12827.20268)

Windows 10

Solution:

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We are trying to escalate this issue to the related resources for further investigation.

Here are some of the methods provided by the users in this community:

1.Using Online Repair to repair your Office suite.

Repair an Office application

2.Some of the users reported this issue is only occurring when you are using a wireless connected to a limited network environment like 4G hot spot. Please use a WLAN connection or a LAN connection, see if it helps on this issue.

3.Install the available Windows OS updates.

Meanwhile, please kindly submit a feedback in the Office client:

How do I give feedback on Microsoft Office?

This will help us speed up the escalation process. Much appreciate for your effort and understanding.

Regards,

Alex Chen

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-06-23T22:08:58+00:00

    This seems like a somewhat different issue than I had. Look at my reply to Alex, but your Office Click to Run is at 0% but it is Excel that is running at high CPU usage. That said, before my updated version of Office I had my CPU running at 50% with both Click to Run and Excel running. That no longer is the case since the agent installed a different version of Office. Excel now uses 0% CPU and Office Click to Run uses none. 

    One of the things the last agent did was check my RAM available. I had plenty of it in total or available (16MB) as I tend to run a lot of large spreadsheets with macros, visual basic, and the like, plus I multitask with multiple office programs and files open. Is it possible that the computer you have is tight on RAM and/or low on processor speed? I know my old laptop had a problem managing multiple spreadsheets even when Office was behaving. I purchased a new desktop last year with far more RAM and better processor speed to avoid my having to close files or programs if it got bogged down. I'm much happier with my non-portable desktop for power use and keep my laptop for travel when I don't need so much. 

    My suggestion would be to contact Office support. Perhaps an updated version of Office would solve the issues you are having with Excel. I hadn't realized that Excel was also not using much CPU since the new version was installed until you showed your screenshot and I checked my own. 

    Wendy

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-06-23T21:46:28+00:00

    Hi Alex,

    I called Microsoft Office Support yesterday and after two disconnects with different agents (due to internet issues on their end as they are working from home with the call going overseas due to COVID), I finally got an agent that had a good connection that was able to help. 

    All three support agents were able to verify the high CPU usage and the fact that Microsoft Office Click to Run ran continuously using up 19-20% of my CPU even if Office programs were closed (with metered connection turned on or off -- the setting didn't matter). According to them, Office Click to Run is supposed to shut off if you are not using Office. The program updated apparently on 5/29/20 and I've only had these high CPU issues since then. I've had periodic issues with this problem over the years but this is the worst it has ever been. 

    Bottom line, they uninstalled Microsoft 365 for me and installed an image file from the Microsoft servers. This version does NOT automatically update but it does not cause the high CPU usage. The Office version they installed (16.0.12527.20482) works fine with or without metered connection turned on. This version requires manual updates but I don't mind. She said it was the same file they installed as a troubleshooting measure. 

    The good news is that I no longer have the fan running constantly and have my CPU back! Office Click to Run uses 0% of my CPU now whether Office programs are running or not and I'm happy to keep it that way. It took an hour or two of my time, but it was worth it to get a blissfully quiet PC again. Hoping the issue does not recur in future updates but this is what worked for me. 

    If others are having the same issue, I recommend they contact Office support and speak to an agent to get a different version of Office installed. I still have all the programs I had previously with Office, but with a blissfully silent PC without high CPU usage.

    Wendy

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-06-23T05:27:25+00:00

    For me disabling metered connection does not fix anything. Excel keeps draining the battery of my brand-new laptop. Had the issue on my previous one as well, which I decommissioned just last week. The same with Powerpoint. It's absolutely excruciating. Can microsoft be held accountable for the wear that it causes to my hardware? It makes working on the go absolutely impossible because the laptop will burn through your lap after working like this for 10 minutes. Not to mention even a brand-new battery is completely drained in a couple of hours at this rate. 

    Come on Microsoft, we're completely and utterly dependent on you. Don't let us down. 

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-23T05:19:26+00:00

    Hi ALWombat,

    Really sorry about the inconvenience caused by this issue, as most user reported, this issue is only occurring after updating the Office to version 2005. And Ken has confirmed that issue is not occurring in version 2004 (Build 12730.20270 Click-to-run).

    Please consider temporary revert your Office to an earlier version as a workaround:

    How to revert to an earlier version of Office

    We are still waiting for the related resources' comments on this issue, will keep you informed when we receive any updates.

    Regards,

    Alex Chen

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