What to Do with the HD Audio Background Process (RAVBg64.exe) Using High CPU in Windows 10/11

Background apps on your PC should not excessively consume system resources. Typically, they are designed to run discreetly without demanding significant CPU power. However, certain processes have a reputation for consuming excessive power that cannot be overlooked. One such process is RAVBg64.exe.

Many Windows 10/11 users are frustrated while looking at the RAVBg64.exe process running in Task Manager. This is because it is consuming 20 to 50% of their CPU’s resources. Of course, this is never acceptable and should be fixed right away.

What Is RAVBg64.exe?

RAVBg64.exe is a process associated with the Realtek Driver. This driver connects your audio devices and your Windows operating system.

Because of the critical role that this process plays on your system, it should not be terminated. It should be left running in the background, but not consuming many resources.

A legitimate RAVBg64.exe process is located in this location: C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\.

Why RAVBg64.exe Is Consuming High CPU Resources?

If you notice a high CPU usage with HD audio background process, it is likely that your system files have been corrupted. It is also possible that the process has been affected by a malware entity, especially if it is located elsewhere.

The next time you notice an abnormal CPU usage of the RAVBg64.exe process, causing your system to lag and throw error messages, take necessary actions and have it fixed.

How to Fix RAVBg64.exe (Realtek HD Audio Background Process) High CPU Usage Issue

There are many ways to fix this high CPU usage issue associated with RAVBg64.exe. We’ve compiled some of them below.

Fix #1: Reboot your Windows 10/11 PC

To fix most issues, there are times when all your PC needs is a fresh start. So, this may work like a charm for you.

To restart Windows 10/11, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Start menu.
2. Tap the Power button and select Restart from the list of options that appear.
3. Once your computer has completely rebooted, check if the issue persists.

Fix #2: Disable then enable the Realtek Audio program

If rebooting your PC does not work, try to disable then enable Realtek Audio. You can do this via System Configuration and Device Manager.

For a detailed guide on what to do, follow the instructions below:

1. Press the Windows + R keys. This will launch the Run dialog box.
2. Into the text field, input msconfig and hit OK.
3. Navigate to the Startup tab and tick the box next to Realtek Audio.
4. Click the Disable All button.
5. Hit OK to proceed.
6. Now, disable the audio driver via Device Manager. Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run dialog box.
7. Into the text field, input devmgmt.msc and hit OK.
8. Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section and right-click on Realtek Audio.
9. Choose Disable.
10. Once everything has been disabled, enable them again. You can do so by referring to the same instructions, only that you need to choose Enable.
11. Finally, open Task Manager and check if RAVBg64.exe is still consuming high CPU power.

Fix #3: Update the Realtek Audio device driver

The issue can also be caused by a problematic audio driver. So, to fix the issue with high CPU usage, try updating your Realtek audio driver. Don’t worry because the process is easy. You can even automatically do it by using a third-party driver updater.

With a driver updater tool, you don’t have to find drivers that are compatible with your system. This means there is no risk of downloading or installing the wrong driver. Most of the time, the driver update process will even take only a few clicks!

Fix #4: Check for missing registry keys

If the APO and SRS Labs registry keys are missing, the high CPU usage issue would occur. Therefore, it is worth checking your registry if these keys are present. If needed, add them manually.

Take note that this fix requires modifying the registry. Before you get started, make sure you have a backup of your registry files. This way, you can easily restore them when something comes up.

Here’s how to check and manually add missing registry keys:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run dialog box.
2. Into the text field, input regedit and hit OK.
3. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE.
4. Find SRS Labs. If you cannot find it, skip this solution. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
5. Right-click on SOFTWARE and choose New.
6. Select Key.
7. Rename the new key to SRS Labs. Make sure you spell it correctly.
8. Once added, right-click on it to add a subkey. Rename the subkey to APO.
9. After adding these keys, they should be listed in the Registry Editor.
10. Restart your PC and check if the high CPU usage issue persists.

Fix #5: Run a malware scan

Sometimes, malware entities, Trojans, and viruses interfere with your system process, causing them to consume many resources as needed. When this happens, your best option is to run a malware scan using a trusted anti-malware application.

A reliable and effective anti-malware app can get rid of malicious threats hiding on your PC. It will check every folder in your system, making sure no traces are left behind. So, download and install an anti-malware app now. Even without the high CPU usage issue by the RAVBg64.exe process, you’ll appreciate the benefits that such a tool may bring.

Summary

Most of us probably have already been through situations where many programs are running in the background unnoticed. While we just ignore them most of the time, when serious issues arise, we have to pay attention to them right away. Such is the case with the high CPU usage by the RAVBg64.exe process.

If you find yourself having problems with the RAVB64.exe process, you know what to do. Restart your PC, update your device driver, or run a quick malware scan. For sure, one of these solutions should resolve the problem.

Which of the above fixes has worked for you? Share your experience in the comments!