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10 Tech How-To

Resource Monitor App Not Working? Fixes That Work

Guide 10-36240 · Updated · Step by step

If your resource monitor app is not working, the fix usually involves restarting the app, checking for Windows updates, or running a system file check. This guide covers the most common causes and step-by-step solutions for Windows 10 and 11.

Why Resource Monitor Stops Working

Resource Monitor (resmon.exe) is a built-in Windows tool that shows real-time CPU, memory, disk, and network activity. It can fail to open, show blank graphs, or freeze. Common reasons include corrupted system files, outdated drivers, or conflicts with third-party monitoring software. Sometimes the issue is simpler—the app is not running as administrator, or a background process is interfering.

Basic Fixes to Try First

  1. Restart Resource Monitor: Close it completely (right-click the icon in the taskbar and choose Close window) and reopen from the Start menu or by typing resmon in the Run dialog (Win+R).
  2. Run as Administrator: Right-click the Resource Monitor shortcut and select “Run as administrator.” Some performance counters require elevated privileges.
  3. Restart Your PC: A simple reboot clears temporary glitches and resets system services that Resource Monitor depends on.
  4. Check for Windows Updates: Go to Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates. Microsoft often fixes bugs in system tools this way.

Run System File Checker and DISM

Corrupted system files are a frequent cause. Use the built-in System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) to repair them.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (search “cmd”, right-click, Run as administrator).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete (may take 15-20 minutes).
  3. If SFC finds issues but can’t fix them, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and then re-run SFC.
  4. Restart your PC and try Resource Monitor again.

Check Performance Monitor Service

Resource Monitor relies on the Performance Logs & Alerts service. If it’s disabled, the app may fail to collect data.

  1. Press Win+R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Scroll to “Performance Logs & Alerts”. Right-click and select Properties.
  3. Set Startup type to “Automatic” and click Start (if not running).
  4. Click Apply and OK, then restart Resource Monitor.

Update or Reinstall Display and Chipset Drivers

Outdated or buggy drivers, especially for graphics and chipset, can cause Resource Monitor to display incorrect or missing graphs. Visit your PC manufacturer’s support website or use Windows Update to install the latest drivers. If the issue started after a recent driver update, try rolling back the driver (Device Manager > right-click device > Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver).

Use Task Manager as a Temporary Alternative

While you troubleshoot, Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) provides similar real-time data. The Performance tab shows CPU, memory, disk, and network usage, and the Processes tab lets you sort by resource usage. It’s not as detailed as Resource Monitor (no per-process disk I/O or network addresses), but it covers most basic needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Resource Monitor show 0% CPU usage?

This often happens when the app is not running as administrator or when the CPU driver is outdated. Try running as admin and updating your chipset drivers. Also, check if you’re looking at the “Average” column instead of “Current”—the average can be misleading.

Can I reinstall Resource Monitor?

Resource Monitor is a built-in Windows component, so you can’t uninstall it normally. To repair it, run SFC and DISM as described above. If the file is missing, you can copy it from another working Windows PC (C:\Windows\System32\resmon.exe) but ensure you have the same Windows version.

Is there a third-party alternative?

Yes, many free tools offer more features: Process Explorer (from Microsoft Sysinternals), HWiNFO, and MSI Afterburner (for GPU monitoring). They are not official Microsoft products, but they are widely used and trustworthy. Always download from official websites.

Why does Resource Monitor freeze or crash?

This can be due to a corrupted system file, a conflicting antivirus, or too many processes. Try disabling your antivirus temporarily (if safe) and see if the issue persists. Also, check Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) for error logs related to resmon.exe.

Does Resource Monitor work on Windows 11?

Yes, it’s included in Windows 11 and works the same way. If you’re on Windows 11 and it fails, follow the same steps. Some users find that the Start menu search doesn’t find it—type “resmon” in the Run dialog instead.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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