Cisco "show processes cpu" Command Explained
show processes cpu — reports CPU utilization on a router or switch, broken down by process — used to diagnose a device running slow or unresponsive. Runs in privileged EXEC mode.
Syntax and common variants
| Variant | Purpose |
|---|---|
show processes cpu | Full process-by-process CPU breakdown |
show processes cpu sorted | Same, sorted by highest CPU usage first |
show processes cpu history | A graphical CPU usage history over time |
Reading the output
| Output / element | Meaning |
|---|---|
CPU utilization for five seconds: 45%/10% | Total CPU / percentage from interrupts |
one minute / five minutes | Longer-term average utilization |
PID, Process | Which specific process is consuming CPU |
When to use it
When a device feels sluggish or drops packets under load, this identifies whether high CPU is the cause and which process is responsible — a runaway routing protocol recalculation, excessive logging, or a debug left running are common culprits. Browse more in the command reference or practise in the free labs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a concerning CPU utilization level?
Sustained utilization above 70-80% on a production device warrants investigation — brief spikes are normal, but sustained high use risks dropped packets and slow response.
What does 'CPU utilization for five seconds: 45%/10%' mean?
Total CPU usage was 45% over the last five seconds, of which 10 percentage points came from interrupt-driven processes (like fast packet switching).
How do I find what's causing high CPU?
show processes cpu sorted lists the heaviest processes first — investigate the top entries to identify the cause.
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