What is a CTF loader and how do you fix its high CPU usage?

Wondering why your system has slowed down at a frenetic pace? You might want to open Windows Task Manager and check if it has something to do with a file named CTF Loader. Many users report that this file consumes significant amount of CPU resources.

If you have noticed that CTF Loader is also eating up your CPU, don’t worry. The CTF loader (ctfmon.exe) is a safe Windows process. You may have tried to kill it, but it is an essential component of Windows. So, let’s see what CTF Loader is and how to reduce its high CPU usage.

What is a CTF loader?

The Collaborative Translation Framework Loader, aka CTF Loader, is an important Windows process that ensures that certain Windows components are always connected and can communicate with each other. Windows uses the CTF loader to provide text support for alternative user input programs. The CTF loader also helps enable different input languages ​​in Microsoft Office, known as the language bar.

However, while the CTF loader is a perfectly benign and useful process, it sometimes takes up a lot of CPU for an extended period of time for no particular reason. So here are all the effective fixes you can try if the CTF loader is using too much CPU on your computer.

1. Check the authenticity of the CTF loader

Before getting into technical fixes, make sure that the CTF Loader process is legitimate and that a virus is now lurking from you. Cybercriminals usually code their malware to mimic original Windows processes, which makes it much harder for a human to spot.

You can verify the authenticity of the executable file by following the steps below.

1. Open task manager using Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcuts.
2. Locate and right click on FCT Charger.
3. Picking out Properties from the context menu.

4. Copy the path next to Location.
5. Open file explorer, paste the copied part in the search bar and press enter.
6. Locate and right click on ctfmon.
7. Picking out Properties from the context menu.
8. In the Properties window, go to Details tongue.
9. Make sure “©Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved” is written next to Copyright.

If anything else is written next to Copyright, chances are the executable is from an unauthorized platform and is malware. The solution, in this case, is to use your antivirus program to detect malware. You can also use Windows Defender to scan your computer for malware.

2. Install or Pause All Windows Updates

You can manually download and install Windows updates to reduce CTF loader load. So, check and install all available Windows updates and see if that calms down the CTF loader.

If downloading the latest Windows Update does not resolve high CPU consumption issues, consider pausing Windows Update and see if that makes a difference.

3. Disable Text Input Management Service

The text input management service enables expressive typing, touch keyboard, handwriting, and IMEs. If you are not using any of these features, disabling the Text Input Service can reduce CTF Loader’s CPU consumption.

To disable the text input management service, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Services app, find and double-click Text Input Management Service.
2. Click the drop-down arrow next to Start type and choose Disabled. This will prevent the service from starting unless you manually re-enable it through the Services app.

3. Click on Apply > OKAY.

4. Check for corruption in Windows system files

Corrupt system files can cause various issues including high CPU usage in CTF Loader. As a solution, you will have to delete all corrupt files from the system.

To do this, we are going to use a tool called the System File Checker, aka SFC. This tool will automatically detect and resolve any corruption within the system, and it is easy to use.

To open System File Checker, follow these instructions:

1. Open the The start menutype Command Promptand choose Execute as administrator from the right pane.
2. In the command prompt window, type sfc/scannow and press Enter.

The utility will begin to scan for and repair any corruption in system files. After the process is completed, open the task manager and check if the CTF loader is still consuming a large amount of your CPU resources.

5. Perform a Clean Boot

The problem can also result from a conflict between different programs. If you recently installed a new app on your system, consider uninstalling or temporarily disabling it and check if that fixes the problem. If the recently installed program is not causing the problem, you can perform a clean boot to identify the app that is giving you trouble.

To perform a clean boot, open the Run dialog box, type msconfig and press Enter. Go to Services tab and check the box Hide all Microsoft services box then click the Disable all option.

Head to the start tab and click Open task manager. Right-click on all startup applications and choose Disable from the context menu.

Next, go back to the system configuration window, then click on Apply > OKAY. Restart the system to apply the changes.

If a clean boot eliminates the problem, that means a third-party program you just disabled was causing the problem. Now you will need to do some trial and error.

Continue to clean boot Windows, but this time enable a program or service on every boot. Once the problem reappears, disable or uninstall the program you just enabled from the system.

6. Stop the CTF loader from starting completely

As a last resort, you can completely disable CTF Loader if you don’t want it to start automatically during the boot process. To turn it off, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Start menu, type Task scheduler and press Walk in.
2. Double click on the Task Scheduler Library possibility of extending it.

3. Direct towards Microsoft > the Windows.
4. Locate and double-click TextServicesFramework.
5. Select and right click on MsCtfMonitor and choose Disable from the context menu.

Now close Task Scheduler and check if CTF Loader is still running and consuming high CPU resources.

CTF Loader high CPU usage issue, fixed

After going through this guide, you will hopefully have a brief knowledge of CTF Loader. Also, if it consumes a lot of system resources, now you know what action you need to take. If they make no difference, disable the process to resolve the issue.