# FxSound trigger Windows Audio to consume a lot of CPU power when TIDAL output to the same soundcard in exclusive(WASAPI) mode **URL:** \ **Category:** Get Help\ **Created:** [July 26, 2022, 5:23am UTC](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/fxsound-trigger-windows-audio-to-consume-a-lot-of-cpu-power-when-tidal-output-to-the-same-soundcard-in-exclusive-wasapi-mode/1092 "2022-07-26T05:23:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Pulsar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@Pulsar](https://forum.fxsound.com/u/Pulsar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 5:23am UTC](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/fxsound-trigger-windows-audio-to-consume-a-lot-of-cpu-power-when-tidal-output-to-the-same-soundcard-in-exclusive-wasapi-mode/1092/1 "2022-07-26T05:23:35Z")
I assume maybe it’s a case of racing condition of FxSound and TIDAL for soundcard device. When TIDAL starts playing, WindowsAudio and Tidal begin abnormal consuming CPU. If I didn’t change output in FxSound for about 10mins, then FxSound will crash, and CPU consumption backs to normal. ---
**Author:** ![doolhoofd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fxsound.com/doolhoofd/32/1131_2.png) [@doolhoofd](https://forum.fxsound.com/u/doolhoofd)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/fxsound-trigger-windows-audio-to-consume-a-lot-of-cpu-power-when-tidal-output-to-the-same-soundcard-in-exclusive-wasapi-mode/1092/2 "2022-07-26T13:13:36Z")
Hello Pulsar, There are already a few threads dealing with this issue, I suggest you check them, perhaps they can enlighten you. > [@High Memory Usage](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/high-memory-usage/825): > > Hi there, I have been using the latest version of the program (1.1.14.0) on Windows 7 (64 bit) running 4 GB RAM. I have noticed an unusually high memory usage on my PC as seen in the attached screenshot. Mostly tends to happen when I leave the PC locked for a long time / multiple users use the PC (multiple accounts). Please fix. > [@High CPU usage when using FxSound](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/high-cpu-usage-when-using-fxsound/488): > > hi there. I really like this app the interface is very nice and sound is good. but CPU is always on +20% usage when Fxsound is enabled. Am the only one who has this issue? windows 10 , intel 2500k core i5 ---
**Author:** ![doolhoofd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fxsound.com/doolhoofd/32/1131_2.png) [@doolhoofd](https://forum.fxsound.com/u/doolhoofd)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 1:20pm UTC](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/fxsound-trigger-windows-audio-to-consume-a-lot-of-cpu-power-when-tidal-output-to-the-same-soundcard-in-exclusive-wasapi-mode/1092/3 "2022-07-26T13:20:38Z")
Also, this thread. User tried WASAPI, apparently it is incompatible with FxSound? > [@Wasapi & FX](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/wasapi-fx/1074): > > Like any serious music listener, I want every quality tweak I can get. I use the foobar2000 player and it works fine in conjunction with my DAC & FX, but on advice from some ‘experts’, I installed the Wasapi driver plugin to foobar, (it provides unmodified audio from the PC). The trouble is that the output must be set to Wasapi and be made exclusive, which puts FX out of operation. If anyone knows how I might get the Wasapi driver and FX to work together I would appreciate any advice. ---
**Author:** ![Pulsar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@Pulsar](https://forum.fxsound.com/u/Pulsar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/fxsound-trigger-windows-audio-to-consume-a-lot-of-cpu-power-when-tidal-output-to-the-same-soundcard-in-exclusive-wasapi-mode/1092/4 "2022-07-26T18:49:09Z")
Hi, doolhoofd, I checked the topics mentioned in your previous comments, but none of these is the my case. Let me explain what I trying to do: 1. I choose my USB soundcard in FxSound, which I prefer use for listening, in current moment. Then open browser and watch some Youtube. Everything working as expected. 2. After that, I close tabs with multimedia content in browser, open Tidal, choose thw same USB soundcard as output device, as in FxSound, because I wish Tidal use the soundcard exclusively, stream music to sound card directly, bypassing the FxSound. In TIDAL I flag “Exclusive mode” and “MQA passthrough” options. After that, I push play button in Tidal, this situation happens: ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fxsound/original/1X/5d1d3a1b0da3658d85f852eeaeb8d3897c13f3e6.png) 3. Then if I open FxSound, I can see message like: “FxSound unable to process audio through the selected output device…” At the same time USB Soundcard still selected as output in FxSound. 4. Then if I change output soundcard in FxSound to another one, CPU usage of “Windows Audio” and Tidal back to normal. It’s a little bit annoying to do so every time when I open the Tidal. Also if I forget to change output device in FxSound when Tidal playing music, after ~10mins FxSound will crash… ---
**Author:** ![doolhoofd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fxsound.com/doolhoofd/32/1131_2.png) [@doolhoofd](https://forum.fxsound.com/u/doolhoofd)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 6:57pm UTC](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/fxsound-trigger-windows-audio-to-consume-a-lot-of-cpu-power-when-tidal-output-to-the-same-soundcard-in-exclusive-wasapi-mode/1092/5 "2022-07-26T18:57:35Z")
Okay, so, first things first: I’m not a tech guy, I can’t solve this. Let me call in some assistance. @bvijay: Could you please look at this thread and offer user assistance? Thanks. Secondly, have you tried simply toggling the main Power button of FxSound to “OFF” when listening to music through Tidal? ---
**Author:** ![Pulsar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@Pulsar](https://forum.fxsound.com/u/Pulsar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/fxsound-trigger-windows-audio-to-consume-a-lot-of-cpu-power-when-tidal-output-to-the-same-soundcard-in-exclusive-wasapi-mode/1092/6 "2022-07-26T19:02:34Z")
Yes, I tried to toggle the “Power Button” in FxSound, it it didn’t help. But if “Exit” FxSound application, this problem will not appear. ---
**Author:** ![doolhoofd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fxsound.com/doolhoofd/32/1131_2.png) [@doolhoofd](https://forum.fxsound.com/u/doolhoofd)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 10:05pm UTC](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/fxsound-trigger-windows-audio-to-consume-a-lot-of-cpu-power-when-tidal-output-to-the-same-soundcard-in-exclusive-wasapi-mode/1092/7 "2022-07-28T22:05:13Z")
I summoned FxSound’s lead programmer, he should be here soon. Sorry for the wait. ---
**Author:** ![bvijay](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fxsound.com/bvijay/32/84_2.png) [@bvijay](https://forum.fxsound.com/u/bvijay)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 5:39am UTC](https://forum.fxsound.com/t/fxsound-trigger-windows-audio-to-consume-a-lot-of-cpu-power-when-tidal-output-to-the-same-soundcard-in-exclusive-wasapi-mode/1092/8 "2022-08-01T05:39:47Z")
Sorry for the delay in my reply. If exclusive mode is enabled on the audio output device, and another application is already using the device then FxSound will not be able to use the same device to stream audio. If exclusive mode is not a mandatory requirement to use TIDAL, please disable exclusive mode in the USB soundcard to let FxSound to access it.