Fix AVCTP High CPU Usage on Windows Computer

you are experiencing high CPU usage in Windows 11/10 due to Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol (AVCTP)? If yes, then you are not alone. This common problem is known for slowing down your device and disrupting Bluetooth audio quality. In this article we will look at what to do if there is AVCTP high CPU usage.

What is the AVCTP service?

AVCTP means Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol. It helps manage audio and video streams between devices, mainly through Bluetooth connections. You often see AVCTP in Bluetooth-enabled devices such as wireless headphones, speakers, and car audio systems, where it controls audio and video playback.

Fix AVCTP high CPU usage in Windows 11/10.

If you are having AVCTP high CPU usage issue on your Windows computer, then follow the solutions mentioned below:

Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
Update Windows
Update or reinstall the Bluetooth driver
Disable AVCTP service

Let’s start with this troubleshooting guide.

1) Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter.

Excessive AVCTP CPU resources may indicate underlying connectivity issues or configuration issues. To identify and resolve the problem, we will run the Bluetooth troubleshooter.

To do the same, go to the search bar and type “Bluetooth Troubleshooting” and select the first option i.e. Find and fix problems with Bluetooth devices. When the Bluetooth troubleshooting window opens, click the Advanced button to automatically apply the repair and click the Next button.

Alternatively we can use the Get Help Bluetooth troubleshooterclick “Windows Search” and enter Get help. Select and open Get help application and once it opens, enter the problem we encountered and click the button Enter button. After the scan and repair procedure is complete, fix the problem.

2) Restore your operating system

Since AVCTP is a system component, we will try to restore the system image. If it is damaged, you will face this problem. To do this, open a command prompt as an administrator and run the following commands.

To run Checking system files:

sfc /scannow

TO run the DISM tool:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Alternatively, you can repairing Windows computers using installation media.

3) Update or reinstall the Bluetooth driver.

An outdated or corrupt Bluetooth driver can cause high CPU load. Because AVCTP handles media controls, a faulty driver can overload the processor when processing these commands.

You should update the bluetooth driver first using the Windows driver and additional updates.

If this doesn’t help, uninstall the Bluetooth driver using Device Manager and then download from the manufacturer’s website.

4) Disable the AVCTP service.

AVCTP allows you to use media control commands such as Play, Pause and Stop between Bluetooth devices and PC. In some cases, the AVCTP driver may malfunction or encounter compatibility issues, resulting in high CPU usage. Users can disable AVCTP; however, this may disable the Bluetooth Media Control function. Therefore, it is recommended to restart the service before disabling it. Here’s how to proceed.

Go to the search bar, search for Services and open it.
Find AVCTP services, double-click on them and select the Stop option in the Service Management Console.
Wait for a while and then click the Start button. Now check if the problem is resolved, if not, go to the service management console again and click on AVCTP Service.
Go to the Startup Type drop-down menu and select the Disabled option.
Finally, click the Stop button, then click Apply and OK.

Hopefully this will solve the AVCTP high CPU usage issue.

Read: Which Windows services can be safely disabled in Windows 11?

How to fix excessive CPU usage?

To resolve excessive CPU usage, users should identify the processes that are consuming the most resources using Task Manager. Closing unnecessary programs and tasks, and making sure the operating system and all drivers, especially the graphics driver and Bluetooth driver, are up to date can be an effective solution. Check the article above if high CPU usage is related to AVCTP.

Read: Services and Controller Application High CPU Usage in Windows 11

Is it safe to disable AVCTP services?

Disabling AVCTP services is generally safe; however, this comes with certain trade-offs. If this solution is caused by high CPU usage, users should try stopping AVCTP services. If high CPU usage continues, they can follow the steps mentioned above to turn it off.