ByKiller Network Service (KNS) can be a common yet frustrating problem for Windows users. It often causes abnormally high CPU usage in the background, resulting in a sluggish laptop or desktop. This article will explain what Killer Network Service is, why it’s present on your system, and how to fix it if it’s consuming too much CPU.
What is Killer Network Service?
Killer Network Service (KNS) is part of the Killer Network Manager, developed by Rivet Networks (now acquired by Intel). It’s primarily designed for gamers and high-performance users.
Its purpose is to:
Manage network traffic
Prioritize gaming and streaming
Provide a low-latency network experience
In other words, if you’re playing an online game while a download is running in the background, this service tries to ensure your game runs smoothly by allocating more bandwidth to it.
Why does Killer Network Service cause high CPU usage?
Users often report that KNS can consume 20%–40% or even more of the CPU. There are several possible reasons:
1. Software Bug or Glitch – An outdated or corrupted Killer Control Center can put a strain on the CPU.
2. Background Monitoring – This service continuously monitors network activity, which puts pressure on the CPU.
3. Compatibility Issues – After a Windows update, KNS might become incompatible with the system.
4. Unnecessary Features – If you don’t game, many of its services are running unnecessarily.
How to check if the Killer Network Service is causing high CPU usage?
1. Open Task Manager (Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the Processes tab.
3. Check how much CPU Killer Network Service is using.
4. If it’s consistently using more than 10% of the CPU, this indicates a problem. How to Fix High CPU Usage in the Killer Network Service
Here’s a step-by-step solution to make your system faster and smoother.
1. Update Killer Control Center
An outdated version often causes high CPU usage issues.
Go to the official Intel Driver & Support Assistant website.
Download the latest version of Killer Control Center.
Install it and restart your system.
2. Disable Killer Network Service (If Not Needed)
If you don’t use it for gaming or low-latency networking, disabling this service is the easiest solution.
Open the Run window (Windows + R).
Type: `services.msc` and press Enter.
Find Killer Network Service in the list.
Right-click it → Properties → Startup type: Disabled.
Then, stop the service.
This will prevent the service from running in the background, reducing CPU usage.
3. Reinstall Killer Network Drivers
Sometimes, drivers can become corrupted. Reinstalling them might fix the problem.
Open Device Manager (Windows + X → Device Manager).
Go to Network adapters.
Right-click the Killer Network Adapter and select Uninstall device.
Restart your system. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
4. Disable the App in Windows Settings
Killer Control Center runs as a background app. Disabling it will reduce CPU usage.
Go to Settings → Apps → Startup.
Turn off Killer Control Center.
5. Use Alternative Network Drivers
If you don’t need the Killer Network Service, you can install standard Intel or Realtek network drivers.
6. Run a Malware Scan
Sometimes, a virus or malware can cause the Killer Network Service to use excessive CPU resources.
Run a full scan with Windows Security or a trusted antivirus.
Remove any detected threats immediately.
Is it safe to uninstall the Killer Network Service?
Yes. If you don’t need it for gaming or network prioritization, uninstalling it is completely safe. Your internet will continue to work normally without any issues. To uninstall:
Open Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a Program.
From there, uninstall Killer Control Center.
Conclusion
Killer Network Service is a useful feature, especially for gamers and streamers, but for regular users, it often causes high CPU usage issues. If your system is running slowly, you can try updating, disabling, or uninstalling it to resolve the problem.
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Killer Network Service – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is Killer Network Service?
Killer Network Service is a network management tool developed by Intel, which prioritizes network traffic to enhance gaming/streaming performance.
Q2. Is it safe to disable the Killer Network Service?
Yes, disabling it is completely safe if you don’t use its gaming or network prioritization features. Your internet connection will continue to work normally.
Q3. Why does Killer Network Service cause high CPU usage?
This service continuously monitors network activity. If the software is outdated, drivers are corrupted, or there are compatibility issues after a Windows update, it can cause abnormally high CPU usage.
Q4. Should I uninstall the Killer Network Service?
Yes, if you don’t need it. Uninstalling it won’t disrupt your internet connection. However, it can be beneficial for gaming users.
Q5. How do I update the Killer Network Service?
You can update the Killer Control Center and its drivers by visiting Intel’s Driver & Support Assistant website.
Q6. Can high CPU usage be caused only by a virus?
Sometimes, malware or viruses can also cause high CPU usage under the name of the Killer Network Service. Therefore, regular antivirus scans are essential.
Q7. Is Killer Network Service available on all Windows versions?
No, it is only installed on devices that have a pre-installed Killer Network Adapter (Intel-based).
