What is Ntrtscan.exe & How to Fix Its High CPU Usage

Disabling the process can help with high CPU usage problems

by Afam Onyimadu
Afam Onyimadu
Afam Onyimadu
Editor
Afam is a geek and the go-to among his peers for computer solutions. He has a wealth of experience with Windows operating systems, dating back to his introduction... read more
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Reviewed by Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Windows Server & Networking Expert
After moving away from the corporate work-style, Alex has found rewards in a lifestyle of constant analysis, team coordination and pestering his colleagues. Holding an MCSA Windows Server... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • Ntrtscan.exe is a legitimate process responsible for scanning for viruses and other malware on your computer.
  • The executable is part of the Trend Micro antivirus software and will block websites known to contain viruses.
ESET Antivirus comes with all the security tools that you may ever need to protect your data and privacy, including:
  • Anti-theft support
  • Webcam protection
  • Intuitive setup and UI
  • Multi-platform support
  • Banking-level encryption
  • Low system requirements
  • Advanced anti-malware protection

An antivirus program needs to be fast, efficient, and cost-effective, and this one has them all.

If you use the Trend Micro antivirus program, you may have encountered its ntrtscan.exe file. This program can block websites that contain viruses or other malware and allows you to scan individual files or folders for viruses.

In this guide, we dive into its functions, the causes for its high CPU usage, and some practical solutions. We have also written another guide if you run into the Trend Micro antivirus BSoD.

What is ntrtscan.exe?

Ntrtscan.exe is a safe process belonging to the Trend Micro antivirus program. It is an antivirus procedure that is in charge of checking your computer for malware and viruses.

It is integral in scanning your computer for viruses and other malware and updating its virus signature database.

What causes ntrtscan.exe to use a high CPU?

  • Problem with the Trend Micro antivirus software – The Trend Micro antivirus program might be unable to find and eliminate new viruses and malware if it is outdated or corrupted. As a result, ntrtscan.exe may consume a lot of CPU power while searching for and eradicating the virus.

How do I fix ntrtscan.exe high CPU usage?

Before trying our proven solutions, you may try these workarounds:

  • Scan your computer, as a malware infection may cause the problem.
  • Uninstall the app and reinstall using a freshly downloaded copy in case the old installation is corrupted.

However, if you have no luck, proceed to the solutions below:

Restart vital Trend Micro services

Delete .TMP files

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Navigate to the path below:
    C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan\PCCSRV\HTTPDB
    ntrtscan.exe
  3. If there are .TMP files, backup the HTTPD folder, and delete it.

Restart vital services

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type services.msc and hit Enter.
    ntrtscan.exe
  3. Double-click the Web Server Service and click the Start button.
    ntrtscan.exe
  4. Repeat step 6 for the Trend Micro OfficeScan Master Service.

You might need to contact Trend Micro support if you’ve tried all the solutions mentioned above, and ntrtscan.exe still uses a lot of CPU power. They might be able to assist you in finding a fix and troubleshooting the issue.

Alternatively, you may use a different robust antivirus program, saving you considerable troubleshooting effort.

And that is all we share in this guide. Please reach out via the comments section if you have any additional questions.

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