How to Fix High CPU Usage from AVCTP on Windows 11?

While using Bluetooth multimedia devices, such as headphones, on Windows 11, users might experience high CPU usage and system unresponsiveness. This issue is often attributed to problems within the Bluetooth stack or related drivers, affecting protocols like the Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol (AVCTP), which handles media control commands over Bluetooth.

Other factors contributing to this issue include outdated Bluetooth and Windows drivers. We suggest performing a quick reboot before moving on to the troubleshooting steps, as this could resolve temporary glitches that might cause this issue. 

1. Run Bluetooth Troubleshooter

The Bluetooth troubleshooter is a dedicated tool on Windows that automatically detects and fixes various technical issues with Bluetooth. 

1. Open the Start menu, search for Bluetooth Troubleshooter and select it. 
   
2. In the Bluetooth troubleshooter window, click on the Advanced button, check Apply repairs automatically, and click on the Next button.
   
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

2. Update Windows 

As AVCTP is a core component of the Windows 11 Bluetooth service, the latest Windows updates could address issues related to it. Hence, updating Windows is crucial to solving this issue.

1. Click on the Start button, search for Settings, and click on it. 
   
2. In Settings, navigate to Windows Update, located in the left panel.
   
3. In the Windows Update section, click on the Check for Updates button to automatically download and install the latest Windows updates.
   
4. Once updates are installed, reboot your PC and check if the issue is resolved. 

3. Update and Re-Install Bluetooth Drivers

Updating the Bluetooth drivers to the latest version ensures optimal performance and compatibility between the computer and the Bluetooth multimedia devices. If updating doesn’t resolve the issue, reinstalling the drivers can be a second option.

1. Hold down the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the run command, then type devmgmt.msc in the run command and hit enter.
   
2. In Device Manager, search for Bluetooth drivers, then right-click and select Update Driver from the drop-down menu.
   
3. In the next prompt, select Search automatically for drivers to install Bluetooth drivers automatically.
   
4. If the issue persists even after updating Bluetooth drivers, try reinstalling the Bluetooth drivers.
5. Open the Start Menu, search for Device Manager and click on it. 
   
6. Locate Bluetooth, right-click on it and select the Uninstall Drivers option from the drop-down menu.
   
7. The driver will uninstall; after that, perform a device reboot and Windows will automatically reinstall the missing driver.
8. Lastly, verify if the issue has been fixed. 

4. Disable AVCTP Service 

Disabling the AVCTP service from the Services Management Console could be a working fix for this issue, but this will also disable the ability to control multimedia commands on Bluetooth devices, such as play and pause. Before you disable the AVCTP service, we recommend stopping and starting it to determine if it fixes the problem.

1. Open the start menu, search for Services and click on it. 
   
2. In the Services Management Console, look for AVCTP service and double-click on it.
   
3. Select the Stop button to terminate the service.
   
4. Then, click on the Start button to restart the service and check if the issue resolves.
   
5. If the issue persists, navigate to Services Management Console > AVCTP service, then click on the Startup type drop-down menu and select the Disabled option.
   
6. After that, select Stop and then click on Apply and OK.
   

5. Reset Windows

If the solutions above didn’t fix the issue, resetting Windows might be your last resort, as this will replace any missing or corrupt files and restore all settings to their default state.

Note: Resetting Windows will result in the erasure of data, so proceed with caution.

1. Open the Start menu, search Reset this PC and click on it.
   
2. Click on the Reset this PC button in the Recovery options section.
   
3. Select Keep my files if you wish to keep your personal files, although this will still remove apps and settings. Otherwise, select Remove everything for a clean Windows install.
   
4. In the next prompt, select the Cloud Download option, as this enables Windows to automatically download and replace any missing or damaged files.
   
5. Click Next in the following prompt. 
   
6. Lastly, click the Reset button to initiate the resetting process. This prompt will also highlight all the selected options and information for you to review before proceeding.
   
7. The reset process will take some time to finish; after that, the problem should resolve.