Momentary pauses

RetiredDoc · Sep 12, 2022

I have a new build with a new install of Windows 11 which pauses every minute or so. Whatever I am typing will momentarily stop typing and then catch up. If I am scrolling, then the scroll pauses and then catches up. If I am gaming, momentary pause of the game but it does not catch up (if I hit a button during the pause, it is as if it didn't happen).

I figured it had to be some background program causing this so I stopped almost everything I could and then scrolled on a webpage while I watched Task Manager. When it happens, the CPU has a brief spike which is small (2 or 3% to as high as 12%) and then back down. The program in the Processes Tab which jumps to the top is Windows Explorer.

Any thoughts on what I can do to fix this annoying problem?

Thanks

TraderGary · Sep 12, 2022

Welcome to the forum, RetiredDoc!

Would you tap on "My Computer" at the bottom left of your post and fill out the data for your computer? Thanks.

RetiredDoc · Sep 12, 2022

Thanks for the nudge @TraderGary ! Completed.

TraderGary · Sep 12, 2022

RetiredDoc said:
Thanks for the nudge @TraderGary ! Completed.

Well, the problem certainly isn't a lack of computer power. :eyeroll:

Since the problem occurs at regular intervals, I would suspect the possibility of wireless interference from some household appliance.

RetiredDoc · Sep 12, 2022

TraderGary said:
Well, the problem certainly isn't a lack of computer power.

Ha ha, definitely. Thus the frustration.

Interesting thought, I will turn off the wifi (on the computer) and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion.

RetiredDoc · Sep 12, 2022

I turned off WiFI and Bluetooth. Still happens with Windows Explorer (with a folder icon in Task Manager) still jumps to the top and the whole computer pauses for about 1 second.

I did try to restart Windows Explorer (via Task Manager). It made the amount of memory used go down slightly but the pause is still happening and always Windows Explorer.

Any other thoughts are welcome.

TraderGary · Sep 12, 2022

Maybe try running a "repair' on Microsoft Edge?

TraderGary · Sep 12, 2022

Meant to say repair on File Explorer, but I don't see a way to do that.

TraderGary · Sep 12, 2022

You're not by chance a Windows Insider running a beta?

TraderGary · Sep 12, 2022

Command Line tools:
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
sfc /scannow
chkdsk /r

RetiredDoc · Sep 12, 2022

I did run repair on Edge (wasn't sure why but knew it couldn't hurt). After that repair, I have to say it did seem much better. It is still happening (and Windows Explorer still jumps up to the first slot), but much shorter pauses and less frequent. No idea why that would help but I know Edge is interwoven in many processes (annoying).

I did the DISM/SFC last night (no issues found)

I belong to the beta group but have not installed a beta version in several years. The drive the beta was installed on is connected but is no longer my boot drive.

When I was looking for repair File Explorer, I found a suggestion to clear the cache in File Explorer (done - no discernible change).

DigitalGoat · Sep 12, 2022

Use process monitor and/ or process explorer from Sysinternals (available to download either from the web site or MS Store), set filters to check for Explorer operations and monitor what happens when scrolling/ typing and the 'pause' occurs.
This should pinpoint the action being taken at that time, whether a registry or disk access, file creation, file deletion etc and the process responsible.
Might help you to pin down the source of the issue.

TraderGary · Sep 12, 2022

Personally, I keep a couple of Macrium Reflect full drive images that I could restore. Something to think about going forward.

Other than that, I'm down to doing a fresh clean install. That should fix it unless it's a hardware problem.

Maybe someone else will chime in with a solution...

RetiredDoc · Sep 12, 2022

Sadly this is a fresh clean install (never before used drive) about 2 weeks ago. I will try the monitoring idea above, but may have to do a fresh clean install and then immediately save a drive image (although a install is easy with NVME drives - it is updating and adding the programs that just takes a while). Thanks for all the ideas, very generous!

bobkn · Sep 12, 2022

I have a PC that is similar. (See "My Computer, first system.) Only two M.2 drives, and one 8TB SATA spinner.

The only things that I can think of are the wireless mouse and keyboard. Mine are wired (USB), with no RGB foo-foos.

I'd be surprised if the issue had to do with that, but I've never seen a problem like yours, in a quarter century of home assembled desktop PCs.

RetiredDoc · Sep 12, 2022

Thanks @bobkn ! Figures I would be unique! Actually, everything else has gone very well, so can't complain too much!

glasskuter · Sep 12, 2022

RetiredDoc said:
never before used drive)

Does this issue occur system wide , in a word document, alternate browser, etc? If it is system wide I would try the following.
Try another keyboard.
Use Samsung Magician to check drive health of new drive.
See if it happens in safe boot.
Temporarily disconnect all other drives except boot drive to see if it happens.
Try clean boot. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial
Make sure you are running the latest bios and chipset drivers from Asus.

RetiredDoc · Sep 12, 2022

@glasskuter

Thanks for the good thoughts, we did get a bit of data.

On safe mode, it does not happen.

Happens in all sorts of applications. Browser does not have to be open for it to happen in Word. An Office product does not have to be open for it to happen in a PDF file (where I am scrolling).

Clean boot with only Malwarbytes running on the boot (it won't let me turn that off) and it still does it.

Magician says the drive has no issues.

I don't have another keyboard, so I just disconnected the USB and turned it off. Still does it when scrolling. I did the same with the mouse, still does it when typing. Can't do both as I don't have another mouse or keyboard.

Anyway to disconnect the other drives without taking my computer apart? I can get the SATA drives pretty easily but I have 2 NVME, so that will require a lot more work. Not sure if the safe mode data allows us to delay this thought.

I do have the latest bios and chipset drivers.

Anyone have thoughts on it not happening in Safe Mode?

TraderGary · Sep 12, 2022

If it doesn't happen in Safe Mode, it indicates that it is caused by one of your apps.

1. Make an image
2. Delete apps one by one until it stops. App is identified.
3. Restore image and delete the app that causes the problem.

RetiredDoc · Sep 12, 2022

TraderGary said:
If it doesn't happen in Safe Mode, it indicates that it is caused by one of your apps.

But then a clean boot should have fixed that. It turned off all apps except Malwarebytes. I might uninstall that and see what happens. I'll just be very careful in my internet use until it is back on. Before I do that, I will pause and get feedback.

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