amd-acp-kv.exe

AMD ACP Kernel KV Driver

CPU Usage

N/A

Memory

N/A

Location

N/A

Publisher

N/A

Notes

This component should be treated as a legitimate system driver. If tampering is suspected, validate against official AMD sources and perform full system malware scanning before making changes.

Summary

amd-acp-kv is a kernel-mode driver component that enables a key-value communication channel within the AMD ACP subsystem, coordinating configuration, telemetry, and feature states between user-space utilities and the kernel driver. It is a standard part of the AMD driver stack and critical for stable feature delivery.

Diagnostics

For health checks, verify driver version consistency, inspect AMD diagnostic logs, and confirm no signature warnings. Event Viewer can reveal initialization or communication errors related to the ACP KV channel.

Troubleshooting Steps

1) Run Windows Update and install the latest AMD driver. 2) Use AMD Cleanup Utility for a clean reinstall. 3) Confirm the file is signed by AMD and located in the system drivers directory. 4) Reboot and test Radeon features to confirm proper KV communication.

What is amd-acp-kv.exe?

The amd-acp-kv module is a kernel-mode driver component from AMD's software package that implements a key-value (KV) interface within the AMD ACP subsystem. It enables bi-directional communication of configuration keys and status data between user-mode utilities (like the AMD Radeon software) and the kernel driver. This KV channel supports feature toggles, telemetry, and synchronization of hardware controls, and is loaded as part of the AMD driver stack to coordinate power, performance, and feature states across the GPU, CPU, and platform firmware.

The module exposes a KV interface within the ACP subsystem for exchanging configuration and status data between user-mode utilities and the kernel driver. It handles IOCTLs, memory mappings, and synchronization primitives to ensure safe, low-latency updates of performance and power parameters.

Is amd-acp-kv Safe?

The amd-acp-kv driver is a legitimate component of AMD’s official Radeon software stack. When sourced from AMD’s official channels (AMD Driver installers or Windows Update), it is digitally signed and integrated with system security checks. As with any kernel driver, ensure the file location, signature, and version match AMD’s published releases to maintain a safe, stable environment. Do not install mismatched drivers from third-party repos, as tampered files can compromise system integrity.

Is amd-acp-kv a Virus?

No, the amd-acp-kv module is not a virus when obtained from official AMD sources and installed as part of the Radeon software stack. However, malware can masquerade as legitimate drivers. Always verify file location, digital signature, and integrity. If you notice unexpected behavior, run a full system AV scan, verify the AMD publisher, and compare hash values against AMD’s published checksums.

How to Verify Legitimacy

Check File Location: Verify the driver path is C:\Windows\System32\drivers\amd_acp_kv.sys (or equivalent AMD system paths) and not a suspicious temp or user-writable directory.
Verify Digital Signature: Open the file properties and confirm the signer is Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. with a valid timestamp and certificate chain.
Check File Hash: Compute SHA-256 of the file and compare with the official AMD hash provided on the AMD support site for your driver version.
Scan for Malware: Run a full system scan with Windows Defender or a reputable endpoint security suite to detect any tampering or masquerading components.

Red Flags: Unsigned, relocated to a user-writable directory (e.g., Downloads), size or signature mismatch, or a driver with a version not aligned to your installed AMD software can indicate tampering or counterfeit software.

Why is it Running?

Reasons it's running:

Core component of AMD ACP KV communication: amd-acp-kv implements the key-value messaging channel used by AMD's ACP subsystem to coordinate settings and telemetry between user-space tools (like Radeon Software) and kernel drivers.
Boot and initialization: The driver is loaded during system startup as part of the AMD driver package to ensure hardware features are available immediately after logon.
Power and performance management: It participates in tuning APIs that adjust GPU and platform power states based on workload, thermal data, and user preferences.
Telemetry and diagnostics support: The KV interface allows AMD utilities to query performance counters and health indicators for diagnostics and optimization features.
Dependency for AMD software features: Many AMD features (overlay, tuning, driver health checks) rely on the stable KV channel provided by amd-acp-kv to function correctly.

Can I disable amd-acp-kv?

Common Problems

Common Causes & Solutions

: Update to the latest AMD Radeon software package, run the AMD Cleanup Utility, then perform a clean reinstall. Check Event Viewer for errors related to amd-acp-kv and verify driver service startup order.
: Ensure drivers are up to date and that other overlay or monitoring tools are not conflicting. Temporarily disable overlays (e.g., in Radeon Software) to see if CPU load returns to baseline, then re-enable with minimal features enabled.
: Run a thorough memory test, update BIOS/firmware if needed, and reinstall the latest AMD driver package. Check for known compatibility issues with antivirus software and add exceptions if necessary.
: Repair or reinstall the AMD graphics driver, ensure Windows is up to date, and verify that the amdkmdap.exe driver is loaded correctly. Remove conflicting software that may block ACP KV communication.
: Update to the latest AMD driver, restart the system, and verify the KV interface is not blocked by firewall or security software. Consider performing a clean install of the AMD software stack.
: Run AMD Cleanup Utility, reboot, and reinstall from the official AMD driver package to restore a clean, functional ACP KV channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is amd-acp-kv and why is it running on my PC?

amd-acp-kv is a kernel-level driver component of AMD's ACP subsystem. It provides a key-value communication channel between user-space AMD utilities and the kernel driver, enabling coordinated control of power, performance, and features. It runs automatically as part of the AMD driver stack.

Can I safely remove or disable amd-acp-kv?

Disabling it can reduce AMD feature support and may cause instability. If you experience issues, try updating or reinstalling the AMD driver package rather than removing the component. Only disable via official tools and with understanding of feature impact.

How do I verify if amd-acp-kv is legitimate?

Check the file path (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\amd_acp_kv.sys), verify the digital signature is from AMD, compare the hash with AMD's published value for your driver version, and scan the system for malware.

What should I do if I see high CPU usage from amd-acp-kv?

Ensure you are on the latest AMD driver package, disable conflicting overlays, and check for software conflicts. If the issue persists, run a system integrity check and consider a clean driver reinstall.

Is amd-acp-kv involved in hardware security features?

Yes, as part of the ACP subsystem it participates in certain coordination tasks that can affect security-related telemetry and integrity checks when AMD security features are enabled.

Where can I find logs related to amd-acp-kv?

Logs can be found in Windows Event Viewer under System/Application logs and in the AMD software diagnostic logs. These can help identify startup or runtime issues with the driver.