dwm.exe Absurd Vram Usage


H

HenDGS

Member
Local time
11:41 PM
Posts
3
OS
Windows 11
Hello.
So I have been using Windows 11 for a while, and realized while paying games that mine vram is running low a lot of times. Using task manager I discovered that the culprit is the Desktop Window Manager. As it is visible by the screenshot, it is just absurd to have a system process using 5.5gb of vram. I know that I can restart the process, but it ain't a permanent solution. My 3070 already don't have a lot of vram for 4k gaming, so I would appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance.
1650933686857.png
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Pro 21H2

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 7 3700X32GB 3000MHzRTX 3070
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
Ryzen 7 3700X
Motherboard
TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING
Memory
32GB 3000MHz
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3070
Screen Resolution
3840x2160, 2560x1080, 1440x900
Welcome to the forum. If you’re using OperaGX, completely close it and switch to a different browser.

DWM.EXE process will consume a lot of memory when you have multiple screens and the system performance is set to the default of Let Windows choose what's best for my computer. In search type 'advanced' and open View Advanced System Settings from search results. Under 'Performance' click Settings. Select Adjust for best performance or Custom (and select the feature(s) you want). Apply. OK

Make sure your graphics driver is updated. I believe the game ready driver for your graphics card was released 3/22/22, Go to
Nvidia and enter your card info. Advanced Driver Search official NVIDIA drivers

Are you running an insider build or the release build? If it's not the release build there well could be a memory leak in whatever build you are using.
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9168AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.9168
glasskuter said:
Welcome to the forum. If you’re using OperaGX, completely close it and switch to a different browser.

DWM.EXE process will consume a lot of memory when you have multiple screens and the system performance is set to the default of Let Windows choose what's best for my computer. In search type 'advanced' and open View Advanced System Settings from search results. Under 'Performance' click Settings. Select Adjust for best performance or Custom (and select the feature(s) you want). Apply. OK

Make sure your graphics driver is updated. I believe the game ready driver for your graphics card was released 3/22/22, Go to
Nvidia and enter your card info. Advanced Driver Search official NVIDIA drivers

Are you running an insider build or the release build? If it's not the release build there well could be a memory leak in whatever build you are using.
Click to expand...
Why completely close it and move to a different browser? Its been fine for me on win 11 from day 1. I also run 3 screens and have it set to default. Im assuming its one of those it affects some but not all?
Thanks
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

11[email protected]Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhzGigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
OS
11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
[email protected]
Motherboard
Gigabyte Gaming X Z490
Memory
Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS 4k HDR, Two 1080p Benq and Samsung
Screen Resolution
3840x2160/2560x1440/1920x1080
Hard Drives
Adata XPG SX8200 PRO 1tb
Samsung EVO 870 500GB
PSU
Corsair RX 650
Case
NZXT h510
Cooling
CM HYPER 212 RGB
Keyboard
Razer Ornata Chroma
Mouse
Steelseries Rival 710
Devlin1888 said:
Why completely close it and move to a different browser
Click to expand...
Just to test. There are others on MS site who have reported that OperaGX has caused dwm.exe to spike ram. The default performance settings has also been the culprit for some. If it's not his graphics driver, there's definitely a memory leak somewhere for his ram usage to be that high.He hasn't said what build he's on yet.
@HenDGS See if this article is of any help. It's for Windows 10 but should still apply though the setting may be in a different place. You can find them using search. FIX: Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage problem. - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos

I would also suggest a clean boot to see if software may be causing the problem. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9168AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.9168
glasskuter said:
Welcome to the forum. If you’re using OperaGX, completely close it and switch to a different browser.

DWM.EXE process will consume a lot of memory when you have multiple screens and the system performance is set to the default of Let Windows choose what's best for my computer. In search type 'advanced' and open View Advanced System Settings from search results. Under 'Performance' click Settings. Select Adjust for best performance or Custom (and select the feature(s) you want). Apply. OK

Make sure your graphics driver is updated. I believe the game ready driver for your graphics card was released 3/22/22, Go to
Nvidia and enter your card info. Advanced Driver Search official NVIDIA drivers

Are you running an insider build or the release build? If it's not the release build there well could be a memory leak in whatever build you are using.
Click to expand...
Hello.
No, I ain't using OperaGX, just chrome, my drivers are updated and I am using release build (21H2). Gonna try Advanced System Settings.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 7 3700X32GB 3000MHzRTX 3070
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
Ryzen 7 3700X
Motherboard
TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING
Memory
32GB 3000MHz
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3070
Screen Resolution
3840x2160, 2560x1080, 1440x900
glasskuter said:
Just to test. There are others on MS site who have reported that OperaGX has caused dwm.exe to spike ram. The default performance settings has also been the culprit for some. If it's not his graphics driver, there's definitely a memory leak somewhere for his ram usage to be that high.He hasn't said what build he's on yet.
@HenDGS See if this article is of any help. It's for Windows 10 but should still apply though the setting may be in a different place. You can find them using search. FIX: Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage problem. - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos

I would also suggest a clean boot to see if software may be causing the problem. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial
Click to expand...
It's not exactly ram, but vram. But even so, trying the tips and I will let you know if I find something interesting.

And after debugging some more, I realized that the numbers in the task manager are not very accurate. But on average I free 1gb of vram by restarting the process.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 7 3700X32GB 3000MHzRTX 3070
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
Ryzen 7 3700X
Motherboard
TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING
Memory
32GB 3000MHz
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 3070
Screen Resolution
3840x2160, 2560x1080, 1440x900
Try up-grading or down-grading your BIOS
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Enterprise
OS
Win 11 Enterprise
Computer type
Laptop
glasskuter said:
Just to test. There are others on MS site who have reported that OperaGX has caused dwm.exe to spike ram. The default performance settings has also been the culprit for some. If it's not his graphics driver, there's definitely a memory leak somewhere for his ram usage to be that high.He hasn't said what build he's on yet.
@HenDGS See if this article is of any help. It's for Windows 10 but should still apply though the setting may be in a different place. You can find them using search. FIX: Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage problem. - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos

I would also suggest a clean boot to see if software may be causing the problem. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial
Click to expand...
Good to know if i ever have similar issues to start with moving off OperaGx temp to see if it fixes, Thanks :)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

11[email protected]Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhzGigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
OS
11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
[email protected]
Motherboard
Gigabyte Gaming X Z490
Memory
Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS 4k HDR, Two 1080p Benq and Samsung
Screen Resolution
3840x2160/2560x1440/1920x1080
Hard Drives
Adata XPG SX8200 PRO 1tb
Samsung EVO 870 500GB
PSU
Corsair RX 650
Case
NZXT h510
Cooling
CM HYPER 212 RGB
Keyboard
Razer Ornata Chroma
Mouse
Steelseries Rival 710
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Solved dwm.exe ram usage in Windows 11 24H2
Replies
11
Views
11K
mechanic
M
DWM.exe uses alot of VRAM- how to reduce
Replies
1
Views
5K
Spunk
Spunk
DWM.exe high GPU usage.
Replies
19
Views
27K
Kol12
Kol12

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom