FIX: Adobe CEF Helper.exe causing high CPU in Windows 11
- Adobe CEF Helper.exe is a process used to render various components of the Creative Cloud desktop applications.
- It might cause high CPU usage issues when the applications weren't installed properly.
- One solution is to uninstall and reinstall the apps and the Helper.exe file.
Adobe Creative Cloud products have become so ubiquitous that we can’t envision a world without them anymore. The filmmaking industry, photography industry, design industry, and other industries rely on each of these applications in one way or another.
As a result, a new pop-up window known as the Adobe CEF Helper has been causing confusion among Adobe Creative Cloud users recently. It has been reported that consumers experience high CPU usage whenever they run the Helper.exe file.
As soon as you start the software, it will sit in the background doing nothing but routine checks to determine if the programs you have are the most up-to-date versions or not.
The desktop application has been reported to consume a significant amount of CPU resources even when it is merely lying idle. Let’s first understand what the process does in more detail, then jump into the list of solutions. Follow along!
What does Adobe CEF Helper.exe do?
The Adobe CEF Helper is, in its simplest form, a processing service that is utilized to render various components by various Adobe creative cloud applications. For example, when you export a video project from Premiere Pro, this service is invoked for rendering purposes. 
When you are using the Creative Cloud desktop applications, you will notice that separate and multiple processes with similar and the same names are running in the background.
These apps rely heavily on the Adobe CEF Helper, which is a critical service that is required both during runtime and throughout the rendering process.
People have consistently claimed that the Adobe CEF Helper consumes a significant amount of CPU resources, causing their device to experience issues like screen freezes, lags, and glitches, among other things, but only when the software is active on their computer.
Due to the fact that it is causing this type of trouble, consumers may believe it is a virus. However, it is not. The application uses Adobe CEF Helper to render any project before it can be exported, and as a result, rendering consumes both the CPU and the GPU of the device.
What can I do if Adobe CEF Helper.exe is causing high CPU usage in Windows 11?
1. Run the SFC scan
- Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar, type cmd, and right-click on the most relevant result to run it as an Administrator.
- Type or paste in the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
You only need to wait for the procedure to finish (which could take some time), then restart your computer to ensure that the modifications are applied. SFC will automatically detect and repair corrupted files and directories on your computer. In case that does not work, you can try Restoro that will scan your PC and automatically repair it.
2. Update Windows
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then click on Windows Update in the left panel.
- If you have any new updates to download, click on the Install now button and wait for the process to finish, otherwise click on the Check for updates button.
Running an older version of Windows could be causing the problem, which can be easily fixed by updating the operating system. The bug will most likely be fixed in future iterations.
3. Suspend any antivirus program
- Click the expand arrow from your taskbar and right-click on your antivirus icon then choose Avast shields control followed by Disable for 10 minutes.
- If you have other antivirus programs installed, you can disable the app temporarily following the same steps as above, or similar steps.
4. Uninstall Adobe CEF Helper
- It is not recommended to undergo this action, but if you are sure you do not need this program, you can start by opening up a new File Explorer window and typing or pasting in the following path:
C\:Program Files>Adobe Systems>Adobe CEF Helper or Adobe Creative Cloud >Adobe CEF Helper_uninstall.exe
- Double click on the executable file to run it and uninstall Adobe CEF Helper.
If the problem does not occur anymore, it is probable that your antivirus application was the root of the problem. You should consider picking another compatible antivirus solution for Windows 11 to protect your computer.
Is Adobe Creative Cloud worth it for beginners?
While it’s rare that a single person will require every service offered by Creative Cloud, it’s beneficial to have as many options as possible. You have the option of installing or uninstalling each Adobe product separately.
In some cases, buying a monthly subscription is more expensive than purchasing a single, permanent software license. However, there are several exceptions to this generalization.
Adobe Creative Cloud, on the other hand, is an excellent bargain because of the regular updates, cloud services, and access to new features. For creative professionals and content creators, the all apps plan is ideal because they typically use a combination of the programs included in the plan.
If you ever change jobs or find that you no longer require any of the applications, you can simply cancel your subscription. There are also a number of reasonably priced alternatives to the Adobe suite that you might wish to consider.
In addition, students or teachers who have the necessary credentials can look into Adobe’s student price options. All-access plans are available for $19.99 per month for the first year, and then $29.99 per month for the second year and beyond.
All you need is a university email address or a document verifying your affiliation with the institution in order to be considered. Adobe now offers a free trial of Creative Cloud, allowing you to get a feel for the service before committing to a subscription.
If you’d like to read more about Adobe Creative Cloud and how to optimize it, we recommend that you take a look at our article on what to do if Adobe Creative Cloud is draining the battery too fast.
Alternatively, for more information and potential solutions that may apply to the issue at hand, check out our guide on how to fix Creative Cloud’s high CPU usage.
And lastly, users benefited from reading our post on what to do if explorer.exe causes high CPU usage in Windows 10. Make sure to take a peek at it for solutions that may apply to Windows 11 as well.
Let us know in the comments section below which solution worked best for you as well as which Adobe Creative Cloud product you use the most.
