At times you might find that Windows Audio Device Graph Isolation is showing up as using a lot of computer resources in the task manager window. This issue can be fixed easily, and we will show you how to go about it.
What is Windows Audio Device Graph Isolation
This process, which sometimes appears by the name of AudioDG.exe, is a part of Windows. It is associated with Windows audio engine and has the responsibility of controlling sound enhancement process. Sound card manufacturers use it to add advanced sound features, as a result of which you get to enjoy great sound features.
More often than not, Windows Audio Device Graph Isolation reports high CPU usage when sound enhancement effects are enabled. We’ve listed not one but four solutions to fix this issue once and for all. You can start with the first one, and if that doesn’t work, move on to the next solution and so on.
Solution 1 – Update Your Audio Driver
A faulty or incorrect audio driver might cause this issue. Therefore, before you try any other solution, we recommend you update the audio driver.
While you can update drivers manually, the whole process can be time-consuming. Also you need a little bit of technical knowledge for the manual process. On the other hand, updating drivers automatically is fast and simple. That said, we have listed both the methods; pick the one you like better.
Update Audio Driver Manually
Here are the steps to follow:
Steps to manually update the audio driver
- Press Windows logo key + R together to bring up the Run command
- In Run command, type devmgmt.msc and click OK
- In the Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers
- Select your sound card, right-click it and choose Update Driver Software
- In the next window, select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Windows will search the internet to find a driver update and install it. If it does not find a driver update, you have to manually download the driver and install it.
- Note down the model and make of your sound card
- Open Internet browser
- Go to the Sound card manufacturer website
- Look for the latest driver for your sound card. Make sure the download file corresponds to your PC type. For instance, Windows 10 32-bit users need a download a file that’s meant for 32-bit Windows 10 PCs.
- Download the right driver file and save it on your computer
- Double-click on the driver setup file to install the driver
- Follow onscreen instructions and reboot Windows for changes to take effect
Update Audio Driver Automatically
Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:
- You can update device drivers automatically
- The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
- The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
- Automatic driver updates are 100% safe
Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.
Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app
Step 2
Scan all devices
Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically
Solution 2 – Run a Virus Scan
Sometimes this issue can occur if your PC is infected with a virus. Therefore, if the above solution didn’t work, we recommend you run a complete virus scan. Before you run a scan, make sure your antivirus software is up to date. Then, disconnect your laptop or PC from the internet and run a full virus scan.
Solution 3 – Disable Sound Effects
Here are the steps to follow:
- Right-click the Speaker icon in the system tray (present in the right corner of your taskbar) and choose Playback devices
- Click the Properties button under Playback (the first tab in the Sound dialog box)
- In the Speakers/Headphones properties dialog box, tick the box before Disable all sound effects
- Click OK
Solution 4 – Uninstall and then Reinstall Skype
In case you encounter this issue while Skype is in use, uninstall Skype and then reinstall it. Since some users have said that this solution worked for them, we think you should give it a go if nothing else has worked.