You might often find the Steam client app using too many CPU resources on your Windows system. And, it might have something to do with the Steam client WebHelper in many cases. You can reduce the CPU usage of this component in this scenario for a solution. And, there are various ways to proceed with that.
Do you want to reduce the resource usage of the web helper component of Steam? Then, you must follow the simple yet effective methods given below. You should get a long-lasting solution with at least one of the steps listed here.
Why do You need the Steam Client WebHelper?
The WebHelper is an in-built web browser on your Steam client app. And, the application uses it to display the Store, Community, as well as Library. So, it is a more important component than you might have thought.
Steam initiates multiple WebHelper processes on your PC while you browse through the app. And, that is what causes the high CPU usage on your PC.
You can stop the WebHelper processes to free up CPU resources for other tasks. But, would it be wise to do so? In case you are wondering, disabling the WebHelper would disable some features of the Steam client.
So, disabling this feature might not always be a viable solution for you. But, disabling Steam Client WebHelper is not the only way to reduce CPU usage as we shall see.
6 Ways to Resolve Steam WebHelper High CPU Usage
Steam WebHelper might start using unusually high CPU resources under various circumstances. So, there are several possible solutions you might need to apply for fixing that.
You can start with some basic solutions and move on to more advanced ones. Here are some possible solutions to the Steam Client WebHelper high CPU usage:
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Reboot the System
Do you want to keep the WebHelper component running? Then, you must try to free up resources that other programs take up on your computer. And, that will allow you to continue running the WebHelper without facing many issues.
Performing a reboot is an effective way to free up CPU resources on your PC. Apart from that, it can also fix the overheating caused due to high CPU usage.
Power off your computer and leave it alone for a while. Then, power it back on and continue performing Steam tasks. However, this method may not offer a long-term solution to the Steam Client WebHelper CPU usage issue. So, you might have to apply some more advanced methods for a solution.
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Scan for Viruses and Malware
A high CPU usage on your device often indicates viruses and malware, as you might know. So, you must not rule out that as a possible cause of the problem. You need not do anything with the WebHelper component if malicious programs are causing the problem. Launch your antivirus software or install a more reliable one, if required.
Initiate an antivirus scan right away to find malicious programs or files as soon as possible. You should find the CPU resource shortage issues fixed after getting rid of viruses and malware.
But, what if you do not find any malicious files? Then, you must simply try out the next method.
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Close Demanding Applications
Are you running an app that requires a lot of CPU resources? Then, you need not stop the Steam Client WebHelper right away. Instead, you must close the resource-demanding applications if possible.
Many of them might run in the background after you close them. So, make sure to stop them through the Task Manager window as well.
Navigate to the Task Manager and check the Background Processes section. Right-click the programs you do not need and select ‘End task’. This might help you fix the CPU resource shortage on your PC. And, if this is not enough, you can try disabling the Steam Animated Avatars feature.
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Disable Animated Avatars from Steam
Animated Avatars is a profile customisation feature on Steam that is controlled by the WebHelper component. And, it might take up quite a lot of CPU resources when enabled.
So, disabling it might help you reduce the CPU usage of the Steam Client WebHelper. You need to launch Steam on your device to disable Animated Avatars.
Open the Settings menu on Steam and go to the Friends List section. You will find the Animated Avatars at the bottom of that page.
Do you find it enabled on your device? If yes, then disable it and exit the application. Then, check whether the CPU resource shortage persists on your PC.
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Turn Off the Overlay on Steam
Have you enabled the Steam Overlay feature on your PC? If yes, it can often significantly increase the Steam Client WebHelper CPU usage. In such situations, disabling this feature can provide you with an effective solution. Launch the Steam app and navigate to the “In-Game” options.
Do you find the “Enable Steam Overlay while in-game” options selected there? If yes, then uncheck it and leave the app. And, this might do the trick in reducing CPU usage in many cases.
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Uninstall Faulty Windows Update
Have you started facing the problem after updating your Windows system? If yes, then it might indicate a faulty Windows update. You must uninstall the latest system update for a solution in such cases.
You can do that by going to the Control Panel on your Windows system. Go to the Programs & Features section and click on ‘View installed updates’.
Find the latest system update there and uninstall it before restarting the device. You can also try deleting a few older updates to get a solution.
Finally, Start Steam in Small Mode
Is it possible for you to disable the features that rely on the WebHelper? If yes, you can simply start Steam without WebHelper to fix the CPU usage issue. You can do that through the Properties section of the Steam executable file.
Find the Target section there under the general or Shortcut tab. Then, enter “-no-browser+open steam://open minigameslist” there and save it.
