In this article, I will be explaining what the Igfxem module is and how it sometimes can cause problems for your system. There will also be a step by step guide on the several ways you can fix the problem of Igfxem high CPU usage.
What Is The Igfxem Module?
Igfxem – Intel Graphics Executable Main Module, quite a mouthful, and that’s why we stick to the short form of it.
You should also know that the Igfxem module is a really important piece of your operating system so it isn’t a malware (we’ll get into this later), it is a component that basically helps you tweak graphics settings easily.
Basically, It acts as a bridge between your Intel graphics card and the GUI. It is called a middleware file (not to be confused with malware which signifies malicious files) because of the purpose earlier mentioned.
The Igfxem module isn’t a direct or core Windows file even though it is installed alongside the driver of the Intel graphics card, but it is still a significant part of a process that functions on the GUI interface.
It usually consumes about 500kb of your CPU which means it is a lightweight process unless something goes wrong with its processes which can then lead to the error we will discuss soon.
How To Confirm That The Igfxem File Is Not Malware
Sometimes we might be suspicious of files that look like malware, especially if we have been experiencing symptoms such as system freezing or slow to respond.
This suspicion is also warranted because most spyware or adware are disguised as system processes so that they can continue going undetected.
To rule out any file that you suspect, right-click on the file and in the menu that opens up, click on Open Location.
The location you should see is C:\Windows\System32\igfxem.exe If you see any file location that’s different from this, your system is in urgent need of a scan to root out malicious files.
In some cases; like in the above image, it may not be visible because some windows folders and apps are hidden by default.
Why The Igfxem Sometimes Slows Down Your System With Its High CPU Usage Error
Malware in its files is one of the major reasons why the Igfxem exhibits the high CPU usage error, another failing is the presence of outdated or infected graphics card drivers.
One or more of these things could really disrupt the Igfxem process and make it start affecting your system as a whole adversely. Part of its task is to also allow other programs’ access to certain settings and configurations that will better enhance user preferences.
These processes might clash together and then render the Igfxem module unresponsive or stuck which could lead to the high CPU usage error. These are the common problems that inhibit the Igfxem but these problems have solutions.
If you’ve checked your CPU usage and found out the Igfxem process was taking a lot of resources, first reboot your system and check again to confirm your diagnosis before utilizing any of these fixes.
Possible Fix For Igfxem Module High CPU Usage Error
Below are fixes that would help rid your system of Igfxem high CPU usage error.
1. Rebooting The Igfxem Process
The first thing you should look to do is restarting the module’s process because this can immediately get rid of bugs in its files and restore it back to a normal state. It isn’t a complicated process as long as you follow these steps.
The first step you’ll want to do is open the Task Manager. You can do that by utilizing these shortcut keys (Ctrl + Shift + ESC)
When the Task Manager menu opens up, in the bar close to the top of the menu, search for Processes and click on it to open that tab.
When the Processes tab opens up, search for IgfxEM Module or Igfxem.exe.
When you find it (you can navigate to it faster by pressing i), highlight the process and at the bottom right-hand side of your screen, click on End Task.
Immediately the Igfxem process is turned off and then all you have to do is turn it back on again on the same menu you turned it off.
Restart the process and check if it fixed your error, if it did then the problem was in the process after all If it didn’t, then you have to try out another fix.
2. Scanning For Spyware, Malware, And Other Harmful Files
This fix is really likely to help fix the problem especially if the issue isn’t totally with the Igfxem process alone. Doing a scan of your system as a whole also helps you detect other defects that might not have been affecting your system adversely yet.
There are options for you when running a scan. You could use your trusty 3rd party Antivirus scanner or you could also use the dependable inbuilt Windows Defender tool.
If you’re using a 3rd party app, scan your system and clear all malware to ensure your system is clean. Check to see if the Igfxem process is still utilizing a high CPU.
Usually, if your system’s clean, the process should return back to normal.
For users who would prefer using the Windows Defender, follow these steps. Access the Settings menu by using the shortcut keys (Windows + I).
In the Settings menu, navigate to Update & Security and click on it.
When the menu opens up, search for and click on Windows Security and then follow up with clicking on Virus & Threat Protection in the Windows Security menu.
A fresh window will open up. In the options listed, choose the option Run A New Advanced Scan.
Follow that option up with choosing Full Scan in the next window that appears and then at the bottom of the window, click on Scan Now.
This process can be lengthy so you will need to ensure your system is plugged in or has enough battery to last the entire process.
It could be anything from an hour to two. Patiently wait or just maybe go do something else while the Windows Defender does it’s function and clears all malicious files from your system.
When it is done, check the system processes again to confirm if you’ve gotten rid of the Igfxem high CPU usage error.
3. Disabling Other Unimportant Processes (And Disabling The Igfxem Process Completely)
This is a two-pronged approach because if you use the first part of the fix and it didn’t work, you can apply the second part of it.
The first part involves clearing other app processes that aren’t important. User discretion and preference is key here as only you will know what is useless and what you most likely don’t want to disable.
This fix is acting on the premise that it is other apps and their processes that are infringing on the Igfxem process which is now making it exhibit the high CPU usage error.
Disabling app processes is not hard, follow these same steps for each of them.
The first step you’ll want to do is open the Task Manager. You can do that by utilizing these shortcut keys (Ctrl + Shift + ESC)
When the Task Manager menu opens up, in the bar close to the top of the menu, search for Processes and click on it to open that tab.
When the Processes tab opens up, search for (any of the processes you find unimportant and want to disable).
When you find it, highlight the process and at the bottom right-hand side of your screen, click on End Task.
Repeat these steps for all of the processes you want to disable and then check to see if the error has been solved.
If it hasn’t been solved and you want a quick fix, then try out the next part of the fix.
4. Disabling the Igfxem Process
The next step might cost you the use of the Igfxem module process but at least you will succeed in getting your CPU usage back to normal. The second part of the fix hinges on disabling the Igfxem module entirely so that it won’t even run when you reboot your system.
Here’s how to do that:
Navigate to the Run window by using the shortcut keys (Windows + R). Input msconfig into the box and select OK.
When the System Configuration menu opens up, search and select Services in the tabs close to the top of the menu.
In the Services tab, search for Igfxem Module and uncheck it in the box provided.
Apply the changes made and save them by pressing OK.
The process has been completely disabled and should no more be adversely affecting your system.
Remember that the process is important so disabling it might not be a long term fix.
You can always enable it back by following the same process outlined above and checking (instead of unchecking).
5. Updating The Intel Graphics Card Driver
This fix usually works if the driver is outdated or faulty, all you have to do is navigate to the Device Manager menu and open up Display Adaptors.
Right-click on your Intel Graphics feature and in the pop-up menu, choose Update Driver.
You will have two options for updating. (You could either automatically search the internet and download the latest updates or you could go to the Intel site and download the update manually)
If you have already manually downloaded the update, choose the second option – Browse My Computer For Driver Software.
If you want to automatically download, choose the first option – Search Automatically For Updated Driver Software.
Any method you choose, update the driver, and the high CPU usage error should be gone.
Conclusion
These fixes are not arranged in any way, they are fixes that correspond to certain problems. You can try out any of them first according to what you feel might be the problem with your system.
If you think the driver is probably to blame, try updating. If it is other processes, try disabling them. The Igfxem module is really important but sometimes it can malfunction, you can easily fix it by using any of the fixes outlined above.
I hope you really enjoyed this article and I hope it proves useful to you in clearing the error. If you’ve ever used any of the fixes above, tell us all about it in the comment section below.
