Question Google Drive multiple systray icons, heavy CPU usage

[oktavius_k]

I've had trouble with Google Drive in recent times, with very heavy CPU usage (usually between 25%-35%), making my laptop fan constantly work hard whenever GD is running. There's also a strange issue where multiple instances of systray icons keep appearing. These disappear if I hover my mouse over them, but something must be wrong. What is this issue and how can I resolve it?

Image of multiple systray icons

I'm running Windows 10 Version 21H1 for x64-based Systems. Uninstalling and reinstalling GD didn't resolve the issue.

 

[Ralston18]

How do you open/start Google Drive? Key press? Mouse click? Task Manager startup?

Look in Task Manager for any unrecognized or unexpected apps being launched at setup.

Task Scheduler may also reveal some application being triggered when Google Drive is launched/started.

Check Reliability History: You may discover some error or pattern of errors that lead to or relate to the appearance of multiple systray icons.

Another possibility is corrupted Windows files.

Try "sfc /scannow" and "dism" to fix.

References:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161

Fix Windows Update errors via DISM or System Update Readiness tool - Windows Server | Microsoft Docs

 

[oktavius_k]

How do you open/start Google Drive? Key press? Mouse click? Task Manager startup?

Look in Task Manager for any unrecognized or unexpected apps being launched at setup.

Task Scheduler may also reveal some application being triggered when Google Drive is launched/started.

Check Reliability History: You may discover some error or pattern of errors that lead to or relate to the appearance of multiple systray icons.

Another possibility is corrupted Windows files.

Try "sfc /scannow" and "dism" to fix.

References:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161

Fix Windows Update errors via DISM or System Update Readiness tool - Windows Server | Microsoft Docs

I just open GD by double-clicking an icon on the desktop. I usually don't run it every day since it's so resource-heavy. I do a regular sync when I'm not using the laptop for work.

I checked Task Manager and I found around 5 processes of Google Drive running when the icons were building up, but I don't know if that's normal. One of them is usually very resource-heavy, running around 25%.
I also checked the Task Scheduler and there were no Google Drive tasks there.

I ran the sfc and it found some errors. I rebooted the system.

I couldn't see any red flags in the Reliability History either. A few instances of Google Drive being stopped some weeks back, but there were instances of that for other programs too.

The dism command brought up a menu of possible subcommand, which I don't understand the function of.

I'm running GD now and the problem is still there. Icons building up in the system tray, laptop running very hot.

 

[oktavius_k]

It's out of hand now. Literally half the taskbar is Google Drive icons. Look at this:

https://ibb.co/hdH1sdG

 

[oktavius_k]

Update - I've noticed there are usually 7 processes of Google Drive in the Task Manager, one of which is very high in CPU usage. I've tried turning off Anti-Virus while using it but it makes no difference. Checking the folders online, I can see that they have not been syncing in the last week or two. Effectively, Google Drive is not working at all on my system.

 

[Ralston18]

Do you see anything running in Task Manager, Resource Monitor, or even Process Explorer that you can attribute to the multiplying icons?

Note: Process Explorer - free from Microsoft.

Reference link:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

My leading thought is a badly corrupted or buggy GD.

Uninstall GD completely.

Another consideration is malware.

Run Windows Security and a couple of other AV apps to hopefully find and remove any malware. Just in case.

Check Windows Update History: determine if there were any problems with updates.

 

[oktavius_k]

Do you see anything running in Task Manager, Resource Monitor, or even Process Explorer that you can attribute to the multiplying icons?

Note: Process Explorer - free from Microsoft.

Reference link:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

My leading thought is a badly corrupted or buggy GD.

Uninstall GD completely.

Another consideration is malware.

Run Windows Security and a couple of other AV apps to hopefully find and remove any malware. Just in case.

Check Windows Update History: determine if there were any problems with updates.

As mentioned there are 7 instances of GD but I don't know what is normal and what is not. One of them usually consumes around 30% CPU so presumably that is not normal. I think there is some kind of corrupt file somewhere but I have already uninstalled and reinstalled GD twice. Now there is another issue - I cannot uninstall it anymore. It doesn't show up in the list of installed programs. The program exe file works and opens the program, but it is not listed in the Add/Remove Programs list in the settings. Something is clearly wrong.

 

[Ralston18]

AV scan results?

Try booting into Safe Mode.

 

[oktavius_k]

Latest Update:

I eventually got the program fully uninstalled by using Revo Uninstaller. A regular uninstall wasn't working as it was leaving files on the system which were presumably corrupt. I reinstalled from scratch and re-downloaded the entire drive contents (took about 24 hours). Now it seems to be working as I have access to the files in offline mode. I still can't leave the program on as it eats up CPU so I turn it off when it has synced and turn on for sync at regular intervals during the week.

Another problem was that setting up the offline folder in a place that was not the default location did not work. I let it sync for over 36 hours and there was nothing in it. I reinstalled and just let it choose the default location and it seems to be working.

If you have this issue, use a 3rdparty program like Revo Uninstaller to uninstall and completely erase all files relating to Google Drive. Then reinstall and use the default location for My Drive (if possible). Give it time to sync (could be more than 12 hours) and see if it works. I will update if there are further issues.