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Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Automate / Relative high CPU-usag...
Power Automate
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Relative high CPU-usage when Power Automate Desktop runs in the background

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When I let Power Automate run in the background, this implies that I have 'Wait for image' action in a certain flow, the CPU-usage is relatively high in comparison with regular office work program situation. I noticed it via my laptop ventilation making much more noise. 
 
My situation: ~5% CPU-usage on 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1255U (1.70 GHz))
 
It would be a good nice to have if this problem can be solved to a more normal CPU-usage level in comparison to other regular office program situation. 
I have the same question (0)
  • Suggested answer
    Robu1 Profile Picture
    1,703 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at
    Hi   ,
     
    Thank you for choosing Microsoft Community.
     
    Power Automate Desktop’s “Wait for image” action constantly scans the screen, causing higher CPU usage (around 5% on modern CPUs).
     
    To reduce this, replace image‑based waits with UI‑based waits, limit the search region, add short delays in loops, or use selectors instead of images.
     
    These changes lower CPU load and reduce fan noise.
     
    I hope this helps resolve the issue! If you need more specific guidance, feel free to ask.
     
     
     
    🏷️ Please tag me @Robu1 if you still have any queries related to the solution or issue persists.
     
    ✅ Please click Accept as solution if my post helped you solve your issue and help others who will face the similar issue in future. ❤️ Please consider giving it a Like, If the approach was useful in other ways.
     
    Happy to help
    Robu 1👩‍💻
     
  • Suggested answer
    11manish Profile Picture
    3,333 on at
    The higher CPU usage you’re seeing is expected because the “Wait for image” action continuously scans the screen to detect a match, which requires constant processing.
     
    This leads to higher CPU usage compared to normal office applications.
     
    To reduce this, you can increase the retry interval, limit the search area, add delays, or preferably replace image detection with UI element-based actions wherever possible
  • Suggested answer
    Haque Profile Picture
    3,653 on at
    Hi @Thijs_V,
     
    When it comes image processing - we need high computatinal power. When the flow automation is based on the capturing and processing image - you need leave some rooms for that processin, need to accept noise! But we can minimize the processing capactiy we are a bit carefule.
     
    One of the best suggestions I had on this - if it is possible - run PAD flows on dedicated automation machines or virtual machines to isolate CPU load from your daily work laptop, further if possible in attended mode! SOLVED? No, not for your case.
     
    The root cause: 
    The “Wait for image” action continuously scans specified image. This is done via frequent screen captures and pixel comparisons, which are CPU-intensive. It's really running on the backround means its  consuming CPU! It still actively polls for the image, consuming resources even if the user is not interacting with the machine.
     
    Preventive measures with economical strategies:
    1. Avoind unncessary image regions selection (narrow done screen area) - as minumum as possible.
    2. Set longer timeout values so the action doesn’t poll excessively.
    3. Add delays or increase the interval between image checks to reduce CPU load
    4. Identify and use distinctive images to speed up matching.
    5. Use event-driven triggers or conditions rather than continuous polling.
    6. Good one to me - If we can use very low tolerance (0 to 1 to be exact match) values might cause longer wait times or more retries, indirectly increasing CPU usage over time. If the tolerance value is 10 or above (you are trying to have every match) its expensive.
     
     

    I am sure some clues I tried to give. If these clues help to resolve the issue brought you by here, please don't forget to check the box Does this answer your question? At the same time, I am pretty sure you have liked the response!
     
     

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