What is Lsalso.exe & How to Fix Its High CPU Usage?

Try to update drivers for a quick fix

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Some of our readers have recently reported that they encounter some problems with a process in the Task Manager known as lsalso.exe in Windows which results inhigh CPU usage.

In case you’re also experiencing the Lsalso.exe high CPU usage issue, don’t worry as we have compiled some steps to fix it in this article.

What is Lsalso.exe?

Lsalso.exe is a Microsoft-developed executable file related to Credential Guard and KeyGuard, which runs in Virtual Secure Mode (VSM) as an Isolated User Mode (IUM) process.

LSAISO.exe runs in Virtual Trust Level (VTL) 1, while other processes run in VTL0, ensuring the protection of sensitive data such as hashed passwords and Kerberos keys.

TheLocal Security Authority Subsystem Service(LSASS) process is responsible for managing security policy, user authentication, and auditing, and was modified in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016.

Although generally considered safe, LSASS can cause high CPU usage issues when certain drivers and applications attempt to load DLL files into the IUM process, destabilizing the system.

What causes Lsalso.exe high CPU usage?

There can be several reasons why you are experiencing the Lsalso.exe high CPU usage error on your Windows PC. Below are some of the possible reasons:

The above causes are just a few possible reasons why Lsalso.exe consumes high CPU usage. Let’s proceed to how to fix the issue in the next section.

How can I fix the Lsalso.exe high CPU usage?

Before trying any of the advanced troubleshooting or settings tweaks provided in this article, users should ensure they perform the following preparatory checks.

Having confirmed the above checks and if you still require further assistance, work your way through any of the steps provided below to fix the issue.

1. Use the Process of Elimination

Eliminating the processes of these problematic applications and drivers should help fix the issue since certain applications and drivers can load DLL into the IUM process, resulting in a spike in CPU usage associated with lsalso.exe.

2. Check for APCs in the Queue

If the first step mentioned above did not work for you, then you can take the help of these free tools to check for problematic drivers.

3. Update your drivers

This is a quick alternative to update all the outdated drivers on your device that may prompt this error.

And that’s it on how to fix the Lsalso.exe high CPU usage issue.

For further information on to fix the.exe file if it’s not opening in Windows, you can explore our dedicated guide. If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to use the comments section below.

What is Lsalso.exe & How to Fix Its High CPU Usage?#

What is Lsalso.exe?#

What causes Lsalso.exe high CPU usage?#

How can I fix the Lsalso.exe high CPU usage?#

1. Use the Process of Elimination#

2. Check for APCs in the Queue#

3. Update your drivers#