COD Modern Warfare 2 Not Using 100% GPU and CPU: How to FIX

COD Modern Warfare 2 Not Using 100% GPU and CPU: The latest installment of Call of Duty, Modern Warfare II, has officially launched, promising players an enhanced first-person shooter experience.

However, fans often find themselves drawing comparisons between Modern Warfare II and its predecessor, Modern Warfare 2 (2019), despite the significant differences in gameplay and features.

Unfortunately, many players have encountered various technical issues with the new game, including crashes, glitches, and lag. Some users have reported that Modern Warfare II is not utilizing the full capabilities of their GPU or CPU, which can often be attributed to insufficient system resources.

If you are experiencing similar problems, this troubleshooting guide may assist you in resolving them. Such issues on a Windows system can arise from numerous factors, including compatibility concerns, outdated graphics drivers, outdated operating system software, an outdated game version, corrupt game files, problems with the graphics card, overclocked CPUs or GPUs, and unnecessary background processes or overlay applications running simultaneously. Addressing these potential issues may help improve your gaming experience.

Fix: COD Modern Warfare 2 Not Using 100% GPU and CPU

High CPU, GPU, or RAM usage can lead to a range of conflicts, often exacerbated by improper in-game graphics settings. This has become a prevalent issue that many users struggle to identify and address.

To mitigate stability problems in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, it is advisable to utilize the Nvidia GeForce Experience application with drivers v516.59 or v522.25 until a new patch is released.

If you encounter these issues, several potential solutions are available that can help resolve them effectively. Let’s explore these options without further delay.

1. Run the game as Administrator

To ensure your game app operates smoothly on your PC, it’s important to run it with administrator privileges. This will grant the necessary User Account Control (UAC) permissions that some critical programs require. By following these simple steps, you will only need to provide admin access once, and subsequent launches will not prompt you again. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to the directory where Call of Duty: MWII is installed.
2. Locate the game application file and right-click on it.
3. Select “Properties” from the context menu, then switch to the “Compatibility” tab.
4. Check the box next to “Run this program as an administrator” to enable this option.
5. Click “Apply,” then “OK” to confirm and save your changes.
6. Finally, launch the game to see if the issue is resolved.

Please note: If you are using Steam or Battle.net, you should follow the same procedure for the respective launcher to ensure it has the necessary admin access as well.

2. Use a Dedicated Graphics Card

To ensure optimal performance while playing graphics-intensive games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, it is strongly advised to utilize the dedicated graphics card on your PC.

This will help minimize issues like stuttering, lag, and frame drops, as well as prevent the GPU from running at suboptimal levels. If you’re uncertain about which settings to modify, follow the guidelines below.

### For Nvidia Graphics Cards:

1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop and select **Nvidia Control Panel**.
2. Navigate to **3D Settings** and then click on **Manage 3D Settings**.
3. Switch to the **Program Settings** tab and find **Call of Duty: MWII** in the list.
4. Choose the **Preferred graphics processor** for this specific program from the available options.
5. Ensure that you select **High-Performance Nvidia Processor**.
6. Don’t forget to save your changes and restart your computer.

### For AMD Graphics Cards:

1. Right-click on a blank area of your desktop and choose **AMD Radeon Settings**.
2. Go to **Additional Settings** and select **Preferences**.
3. Click on **Power**, then navigate to **Switchable Graphics Application Settings**.
4. Locate **Call of Duty: MWII** in the list; if it’s not there, use the **Add Application** option to include it.
5. After selecting the game, set it to **High Performance** within the Graphics Settings.
6. Finally, reboot your computer to apply the changes.

By following these steps, you can significantly enhance your gaming experience and ensure smoother gameplay.

3. Update GPU Drivers

Using an outdated or malfunctioning graphics card driver can lead to various performance issues in games and other applications. To ensure optimal performance, it’s advisable to check for updates to your graphics driver. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Win+X keys simultaneously to access the Quick Link Menu.
2. Select Device Manager from the options presented, then double-click on Display adapters.
3. Locate and right-click the dedicated graphics card currently in use.
4. Select Update driver and opt for the option to Search automatically for drivers.
5. If a newer version is available, it will download and install automatically.
6. After the installation is complete, restart your computer to implement the changes.

Alternatively, you may prefer to manually download the latest graphics driver from the official website of your GPU manufacturer. Make sure to select the appropriate driver corresponding to your specific graphics card model.

For users with Nvidia cards, updates can be managed through the GeForce Experience application available on Nvidia’s official site. AMD users should visit the AMD website for driver updates. Intel graphics card owners can find the necessary updates at the Intel support page.

4. Disable fullscreen optimizations

Disabling fullscreen optimizations in Windows for your game can help resolve compatibility problems on certain systems. While this feature is typically disabled by default, it’s a good idea to verify its status. Here’s how you can check and change this setting:

1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
2. Locate Call of Duty: MWII, then right-click on it and select Manage.
3. Choose the option to Browse local files to access the installation directory of Call of Duty: MWII.
4. In the folder, find CallofDutyModernWarfareII.exe, right-click on it, and select Properties.
5. Move to the Compatibility tab and make sure to check the box for “Disable fullscreen optimizations.”
6. Once you’ve made this adjustment, click Apply, then OK to confirm and save the changes.

Following these steps may enhance your gaming experience by addressing any issues related to fullscreen modes.

5. Close Background Running Tasks

Unwanted programs or tasks running in the background can significantly drain system resources such as CPU and memory, leading to decreased overall performance. This resource hogging often results in issues like crashes, lag, and slow loading times. To resolve this, it’s advisable to terminate any unnecessary background tasks. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab, where you’ll find a list of active tasks.
3. Identify and select any tasks that are not needed and are using excessive resources.
4. Click on “End Task” to close them individually.
5. After you’ve finished, restart your computer for optimal performance.

6. Use the Best Performance Power Plan

It is advisable to adjust the power settings on your computer, as Windows typically defaults to the Balanced power plan, which may limit performance. Switching to a different power plan can enhance your system’s performance, but be aware that this may lead to increased power consumption. Here’s how you can make the change:

1. Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to access the Run dialog.
2. Enter “Control Panel” in the text box and click OK to launch it.
3. In the Control Panel, locate and select “Power Options” (or “Power & battery”).
4. Choose the “Best Performance” option and then restart your computer to apply the changes right away.

7. Tweak In-Game Graphics Settings

To troubleshoot the issue, consider adjusting the in-game graphics settings. Modifying these settings may enhance your gameplay experience and increase your frame rates.

Simply navigate to the graphics settings menu in COD Modern Warfare II, and implement the recommended adjustments or tweaks outlined below to see if the problem persists.

Display Adaptor: Select your graphics card
Screen Refresh Rate: Refresh rate of your monitor
Display Resolution: Native resolution of the monitor
Dynamic Resolution: Off
Aspect Ratio: Automatic
V-Sync (Gameplay): Off
V-Sync (Menus): Off
Display Gamma: 2.2 (sRGB)
Brightness: 55
Focused Mode: Off
High Dynamic Range (HDR): Off
Quality Presets: Recommended
Render Resolution: 100
Fidelity CAS: On
- AMD Fideltity CAS Strength: 75
Anti-Aliasing: SMAA T2X
Nearby Level of Detail: High
Texture Resolution: Medium
Texture Filter Anisotropic: Low
Particle Quality: High
Bullet Impacts & Sprays: On
Shader Quality: Low
Tessellation: Nearby Only
On-Demand Texture Streaming: On
Streaming Quality: Low
Shadow Map Resolution: Low
Spot Shadow Quality: Low
Cache Spot Shadows: On
Cashe Sun Shadows: On
Particle Lighting: Normal
Ambient Occlusion: Off
SSR: Off
NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency: On + Boost
Depth of Field: Off
World Motion Blur: Off
Weapon Motion Blur: Off
Film Grain: 0.00
Field of View: 110
ADS Field of View: Affected
Weapon Field of View: Wide
3rd Person Field of View: 80
Vehicle Field of View: Default
1st Person Camera Movement: 100
3rd Person Camera Movement: 100

8. Verify and Repair Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files on your PC can often lead to issues with launching or running games smoothly. To resolve these problems, it’s advisable to verify and repair your game files through the Steam or Battle.net clients. Here’s how you can do that:

**For Steam Users:

1. Launch the Steam client on your PC and sign in to your account.
2. Navigate to your Library.
3. Locate Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II in the list on the left and right-click on it.
4. Select ‘Properties’ from the dropdown menu.
5. Click on the ‘Local Files’ tab.
6. Choose the option that says ‘Verify Integrity of Game Files…’
7. Allow the verification process to complete, then exit the Steam client.
8. To finalize the changes, restart your computer.

**For Battle.net Users:

1. Open the Battle.net client on your computer.
2. Select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II from your game list.
3. Click the OPTIONS icon (gear symbol).
4. Choose ‘Scan and Repair’ from the menu.
5. Click ‘Begin Scan’ and wait until the process is finished.
6. After completion, close the Battle.net launcher and restart your PC.

Following these steps should help ensure your game files are intact and functioning properly.

9. Update COD Modern Warfare II

In various situations, updating your game to the latest version is highly recommended. Using an outdated game patch can lead to numerous problems on your gaming device, including crashes, lag, stuttering, and issues related to the CPU or GPU. Here’s how to ensure your game is up to date:

**For Steam:

1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
2. Select “COD Modern Warfare II” from your list of installed games on the left sidebar.
3. The client will automatically check for any available updates.
4. If an update is found, an “Update” option will appear—simply click on it.
5. Allow a few minutes for the update to download and install, depending on your internet speed and available storage.
6. Once the update is complete, close the Steam client.
7. Finally, restart your PC to ensure all changes are applied, then relaunch COD Modern Warfare 2.

**For Battle.net:

1. Open the Battle.net launcher.
2. Click on the Blizzard logo located in the top left corner.
3. Navigate to Settings and then select Game Install/Update.
4. Enable the option to “Apply latest updates and download future patch data for recently played games.”
5. Click “Done” to save your changes, then restart the Battle.net launcher to implement the updates.
6. The launcher should automatically update your game to the latest version available.

By following these steps, you can enhance your gaming experience and minimize potential technical issues.

10. Chipset Drivers are Outdated

Outdated chipset drivers on your PC can lead to various performance issues, including low CPU utilization or the CPU not being utilized at all while gaming. To resolve these problems, it’s advisable to regularly check for driver updates. Here’s how you can update your chipset drivers:

1. Press the **Win+X** keys simultaneously to access the Quick Link Menu.
2. Select **Device Manager** from the menu options, then double-click on **System devices**.
3. Locate the active chipset device in the list, right-click on it, and select **Update driver**.
4. Choose the option to **Search automatically for drivers**. If an updated version is available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.
5. After the installation is complete, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

Alternatively, you can visit the official website of the chipset manufacturer to manually download the latest driver that corresponds to your processor’s architecture (64-bit). For your convenience, relevant links can be found below.

AMD
Intel

11. Try Disabling Overlay Apps

Certain applications, particularly those used by gamers and streamers, often come bundled with overlay features designed to enhance the user experience. However, these overlay applications can interfere with game performance, leading to issues such as frame rate drops, black screens, lag, and glitches. To troubleshoot these problems, it’s advisable to disable any overlay applications before restarting the game to determine if the crashing issue has been resolved. Here’s how to disable some common overlay apps:

**Disabling Discord Overlay:

1. Open the Discord application and click on the gear icon located at the bottom of the window.
2. Navigate to the Overlay section in the App Settings and toggle off the “Enable in-game overlay” option.
3. Move to the Games tab, select “COD Modern Warfare II,” and ensure the in-game overlay is turned off.
4. Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

**Disabling Xbox Game Bar:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings menu.
2. Select the Gaming option, then go to the Game Bar section.
3. Disable the option that allows recording game clips, taking screenshots, and broadcasting using the Game Bar.

**Disabling Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:

1. Launch the Nvidia GeForce Experience application and navigate to Settings.
2. Click on the General tab and turn off the “In-Game Overlay” feature.
3. Restart your computer to apply the changes and relaunch the game.

Additionally, other overlay applications such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, and various RGB control software can also contribute to performance issues. It is recommended to disable these as well to optimize your gaming experience.

12. Turn Off Antivirus Protection

To ensure that no antivirus software is interfering with the proper functioning of your game files, you may want to disable Windows Defender on your computer.

1. Open Windows Settings by pressing the Win + I keys.
2. Navigate to Update & Security, then select Windows Security from the menu on the left.
3. Click on the “Open Windows Security” button.
4. Go to Virus & threat protection and then select “Manage settings.”
5. Find the toggle for Real-time protection and switch it off.
6. If a confirmation prompt appears, click “Yes” to continue.

Additionally, if you have any other antivirus programs installed on your PC, it’s advisable to deactivate them as well to avoid any potential conflicts.

13. Perform a Clean Boot

Several users have reported that resolving system boot-up issues can be achieved by performing a clean boot on their PCs. This process is beneficial because it prevents certain applications and tasks from launching at startup, which can consume significant system resources. To perform a clean boot, follow these steps:

1. Press the Win + R keys together to bring up the Run dialog box.
2. Enter “msconfig” and press Enter to access the System Configuration window.
3. Navigate to the Services tab and check the box labeled “Hide all Microsoft services.”
4. Next, click on “Disable all” to turn off the remaining services.
5. Click “Apply,” then “OK” to save your changes.
6. Proceed to the Startup tab and select “Open Task Manager.”
7. In the Task Manager, click on the Startup tab and identify any applications with a high startup impact.
8. For each high-impact program, select it and click “Disable” to prevent it from starting automatically.

**Important: Repeat this process for all high-impact applications, with the exception of any audio or graphics services.

Finally, be sure to restart your computer to implement the changes you’ve made.

14. Restore Default to Overclocked CPU or GPU

Overclocking your CPU or GPU can occasionally lead to compatibility issues with other components, resulting in performance bottlenecks. To diagnose any crashing problems you may be experiencing, it is advisable to revert your overclocked settings back to their factory defaults temporarily.

This can help identify whether overclocking is the root cause of the instability. There are several tools available online that can assist you in adjusting your overclock settings, including MSI Afterburner, Riva Tuner, AMD Ryzen Master, and EVGA Precision X, among others.

15. Reinstall COD Modern Warfare 2

If you’ve tried all other troubleshooting methods without success, consider reinstalling Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on your PC to resolve the issue of not utilizing 100% of your GPU and CPU.