ntoskrnl.exe high CPU usage after launching game

[psychic717]

Hey guys.
I'm having this issue after launching Watch Dogs 2:

Doesn't happen every single time I start the game, maybe 50% of the time, but this process (System - ntoskrnl.exe) uses a lot of my CPU which affects my performance and after a while of play time I get BSODs (which I only figured now it's caused by this process).

Can anyone help me with this? Am I the only one getting this?

I already installed a fresh version of Windows 10 yesterday but it still happens and I can't figure out what is causing this...

I appreciate any help
Thank you.

 

[MeanMachine41]

In most cases the ntoskrnl crash is caused by another driver or service writing to a memory space that is owned by ntoskrnl.exe. When ntoskrnl.exe sees unexpected stuff in it's memory space, it panics and throws up a BSOD.
How much RAM do you have and what have you set for your page file quota.?
If you do not have enough RAM then that can be the issue.

This error can also be caused by bad RAM or a failing module so try with just one stick in the first slot to test and try switching modules around. That at least will eliminate your RAM from the equation.

Other things to check.

Open your Task Manager cntr/alt/del then look at your various tabs.
On the processes tab select the process that is using a lot of CPU.
Look at the Services listed for that process.
Maybe you can find the Service(s) using a lot of CPU, and that may help figure out where the issue is ?

You can go to Services by typing Services in your search box that will bring up all your Services where you can modify their actions. Don't disable any essential Service or security program.

Also, look at Task Manager / Startup.
See what you have listed, you can temporarily disable any unneeded programs for testing.

Check the above things first as you may have to have your Minidump file analyzed if you can't find the problem.

 

[psychic717]

Ok thanks.
Thing is, it only happens with this game. Sometimes the process stays at 30% while playing and doesn't decrease usage, then the game freezes (after a while) for a few seconds and I get DPC WATCHDOG VIOLATION (133).
I also noticed that if I close the game, the process stays at 30-35% cpu usage and some stuff on windows doesn't work. Like right clicking the sound icon or network icon or opening programs, it's like it's stuck. I have to force reboot the PC to fix that.

By the way, I have 16GB RAM and I haven't messed with pagefile. The service is always the same: ntoskrnl.exe
This is the only game or situation where this happens.

Could a game bug be causing this, or GPU drivers?

EDIT: I have uninstalled antivirus and disabled Superfetch. Will see if I have improvements.

 

[MeanMachine41]

Yes a game bug can cause this however there are many many things that can trigger DPC WATCHDOG VIOLATION (133).
If it only happens in the game then I suspect the game itself or your network connection. I have also heard that Watchdogs 2 is very CPU intensive. Do you meet the system specs requirement for the game.? Go here: http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=20283&game=Watch%20Dogs%202

Go to Device Manager and check all your drivers are OK and updated. Yellow Triangles are an indicator for bad drivers.
Do you have a wireless Lan.? Try updateing the driver.

Also go to your MSCONFIG. Open it by typing MSCONFIG in the search box.
Here you have the ability to do a Diagnostic startup, Selective or Normal.

Very often by disabling all but MS services you can identify an application that causes the issue.
It might be a good idea at this point to list your full system specs.

Have patience as this can be a long troubleshoot.

 

[psychic717]

Thanks for the help.
I do meet the system requirements, the game is indeed very CPU bound though.
Today I played and the issue didn't occur, not sure if something I did... I also tried running the game without other programs running like firefox or vuze, which might be causing it, not sure because it doesn't happen all the time and it's the only situation where I see this reaction. It's very hard to troubleshoot like you said.
I will keep checking if anything changes and if it has issues again I will follow your instructions.

Thanks again.

 

[MeanMachine41]

Thanks for the help.
I do meet the system requirements, the game is indeed very CPU bound though.
Today I played and the issue didn't occur, not sure if something I did... I also tried running the game without other programs running like firefox or vuze, which might be causing it, not sure because it doesn't happen all the time and it's the only situation where I see this reaction. It's very hard to troubleshoot like you said.
I will keep checking if anything changes and if it has issues again I will follow your instructions.

Thanks again.

Your Welcome psychic717.
One Service that can hog your system and even crash your game is the Windows update Service. I have mine set to manual and do my updates at my request to prevent these interruptions. In fact any service when set on Auto can cause an interrupt. I've not had my system crash however it is annoying if suddenly your game is reduced to the desk top whilst gaming.

 

[shaneZhang]

It seems that you are not the only person who met this problem, I've encounter this problem recently. I encounter this problem while I am playing GTA V and battleground.

I have the exactly same symptom with yours. Do you have already solved it?