If your Windows PC is using the CPU instead of the dedicated GPU, games will lag, rendering will be slow, and the graphics card may look like it is not working. This usually happens due to missing drivers, wrong graphics settings, power limits, or the GPU not being selected for apps. Follow the methods below to force Windows to use your NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel GPU for gaming and high-performance apps.
This guide covers driver installation, Windows graphics settings, control panel 3D settings, power mode changes, and manual driver installation so your GPU works properly.
Method 1 — Install Proper Graphics Driver from Device Manager and Install Control Panel
Open Device Manager → Expand Display adapters → Right-click your GPU → Click Update driver → Select Search automatically for drivers → Let Windows install the latest driver → Restart the PC.
If your GPU shows as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, right-click it → Click Update driver → Install the correct driver → Restart.
Open Microsoft Store → Search NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software → Install it → Open the control panel to confirm the GPU is detected.
Method 2 — Set GPU for Apps in Windows Graphics Settings and Enable Hardware Acceleration
Open Settings → Go to System → Open Display → Click Graphics → Click Browse → Add your game or app → Click the app → Select Options → Choose High performance (GPU) → Click Save.
Scroll down in Graphics settings → Turn Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling ON → Restart the PC.
This forces Windows to use the dedicated GPU instead of the CPU for selected apps.
Method 3 — Add Program in NVIDIA or AMD 3D Settings
Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Go to Manage 3D settings → Open Program Settings → Click Add → Select your game or app → Set Preferred graphics processor to High-performance NVIDIA processor → Click Apply.
For AMD → Open AMD Software → Go to Gaming → Add your game → Set Graphics profile to High performance → Apply changes.
This ensures the GPU is used for rendering instead of the integrated graphics.
Method 4 — Change Power Mode to High Performance
Open Control Panel → Go to Power Options → Select High performance or Ultimate performance → Click Change plan settings → Set everything to maximum performance → Apply → Restart PC.
On laptops, plug in the charger because many systems disable the GPU on battery mode.
Method 5 — Manually Install Graphics Driver from Manufacturer Website
Go to the official website of your GPU brand → Download the latest driver:
NVIDIA → GeForce Driver Download
AMD → Radeon Drivers
Intel → Intel Graphics Drivers
Select your exact GPU model → Download the latest WHQL driver → Run the installer → Choose Clean installation if available → Restart the PC.
Manual installation fixes GPU not detected, missing control panel, and CPU usage instead of GPU.
Common Problems and Fixes
GPU not showing in Device Manager → Enable it in BIOS or reseat the GPU in desktop.
Laptop using integrated graphics → Set High performance GPU in both Windows Graphics and Control Panel.
Game still using CPU → Add the game EXE file manually in Graphics settings and 3D settings.
Control panel missing → Install it from Microsoft Store or reinstall drivers.
Conclusion
If your Windows PC is using CPU instead of GPU, the issue is almost always related to drivers, wrong graphics selection, or power settings. Installing the correct driver, forcing high-performance GPU in Windows and NVIDIA/AMD control panel, enabling hardware acceleration, and switching to high-performance power mode will make your graphics card work properly for gaming and rendering.
FAQ
Why is my PC using CPU instead of GPU?
Because the dedicated GPU is not selected, drivers are missing, or power mode is set to balanced.
Should I turn on hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling?
Yes, it improves performance and reduces CPU load in most modern systems.
Do I need to install drivers from the manufacturer website?
Yes, manual installation gives the latest driver and fixes GPU detection issues.
Why is my GPU not showing in games?
Add the game manually in Windows Graphics settings and NVIDIA/AMD 3D settings and select High performance GPU.
Does high performance power mode increase GPU usage?
Yes, it allows the GPU to run at full performance instead of power saving mode.
