Quick Answer
icue.exe is safe. It's Corsair's official iCUE software that manages Corsair devices, lighting, and profiles, typically running across multiple helper processes to keep the UI responsive.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in Program Files\Corsair\CORSAIR iCUE 4\iCUE.exe
Warning
Multiple processes normal
iCUE uses a host of background and renderer processes for devices and lighting
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close iCUE via the tray icon or Task Manager, then disable startup if desired
What is icue.exe?
icue.exe is the main executable for Corsair's iCUE software, which coordinates device lighting, fan curves, macros, and hardware profiles across Corsair peripherals. iCUE uses multiple helper processes to keep the UI responsive while handling device I/O and background sync.
IcUE communicates with device drivers, applies lighting profiles, and manages background synchronization with Corsair services. It runs alongside helper processes to maintain real-time hardware control without blocking the user interface.
Quick Fact: iCUE centralizes control for dozens of Corsair devices, allowing synchronized lighting across keyboards, mice, fans, and coolers.
Types of iCUE Processes
- Main UI/Launcher: User interface and launcher (iCUE.exe)
- Driver/Device Interface: Direct communication with Corsair hardware drivers
- Lighting Engine: Rendering lighting effects across devices
- Background Sync: Profile and settings sync with cloud services
- Update/Helper: Background helpers for updates and diagnostics
Is icue.exe Safe?
Yes, icue.exe is safe when it is the legitimate Corsair file installed from official sources (corsair.com or bundled with hardware).
Is icue.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real icue.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can imitate names like icue.exe, so verify location and signature.
How to Tell if icue.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Corsair\CORSAIR iCUE 4\iCUE.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Corsair\CORSAIR iCUE 4\iCUE.exe. Any icue.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the process in Task Manager → Open file location → Right-click iCUE.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show signer "Corsair Components, Inc."
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-12% CPU per component, 100-700 MB total memory while active. Extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: iCUE should not silently install or run without user interaction. Persistent background activity when not using Corsair hardware suggests malware.
Red Flags: If icue.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData, System32) or runs when iCUE isn’t open, lacks a valid signature, or uses constant high resources, scan with antivirus. Be wary of similarly named files like 'icue32.exe' from untrusted sources.
Why Is icue.exe Running on My PC?
icue.exe runs to coordinate Corsair device control, lighting effects, and profile synchronization. It may stay active to manage peripherals and respond to hardware events.
Reasons it's running:
- Active hardware control: You have Corsair devices actively managed by iCUE, so the software maintains lighting and fan/temperature curves in real time.
- Background device synchronization: iCUE runs in background to synchronize profiles across devices and save settings to the cloud.
- Startup auto-launch: iCUE may be configured to start with Windows to ensure devices are ready when you login.
- Profile and macro management: Loading, applying, and switching lighting profiles or macros can keep icue.exe active.
- Firmware updates and device polling: iCUE periodically polls devices for firmware updates, sensor data, and status changes.
Can I Disable or Remove icue.exe?
Yes, you can disable icue.exe. It's safe to close or disable iCUE when not in use, and you can uninstall it if you prefer a different setup.
How to Stop icue.exe
- Exit iCUE gracefully: Use the tray icon to exit iCUE; allow it to close all device profiles.
- End icue.exe process: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate icue.exe, right-click, End Task.
- Disable startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Corsair iCUE
- Disable background running: In iCUE settings, System/General: turn off 'Continue running background apps when iCUE is closed' if available
- Uninstall if desired: Windows Settings → Apps → Google Corsair iCUE → Uninstall (or via Control Panel).
How to Uninstall iCUE
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Corsair iCUE → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Corsair iCUE → Uninstall
- ✔ Restart after uninstall and remove residual Corsair folders if needed
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If icue.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Many devices/lightings profiles active: Review and simplify lighting schemes; disable unused profiles in iCUE
- Background syncing or updates: Pause cloud sync or update checks in iCUE settings
- Firmware scans or device polling: Limit polling frequency in device settings or update drivers
- Outdated iCUE version: Update iCUE to the latest version from Corsair
- High-CPU tasks in lighting scripts: Disable or optimize complex macros and scenes; test with a minimal profile
- Conflicting extensions or peripherals: Disconnect non-essential Corsair devices and reconfigure one-by-one
Quick Fixes:
1. Open iCUE Task Manager to identify heavy profiles or devices
2. Pause or disable non-essential lighting schemes
3. Update or repair iCUE via Control Panel
4. Check for driver updates on Corsair site
5. Restart iCUE and retest with minimal setup
Frequently Asked Questions
Is icue.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate icue.exe from Corsair is not a virus. Verify the file location: C:\Program Files\Corsair\CORSAIR iCUE 4\iCUE.exe and ensure the digital signature shows Corsair Components, Inc.
Why is icue.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU may come from numerous devices, complex lighting effects, or background syncing. Open iCUE Task Manager, disable heavy profiles, and update drivers to reduce load.
Can I delete icue.exe?
You can uninstall iCUE if you no longer need Corsair hardware management. Uninstall from Windows Settings or Control Panel; note you may lose lighting synchronization and profiles.
Can I disable icue.exe at startup?
Yes. Use Task Manager → Startup to disable Corsair iCUE, or in iCUE settings toggle background startup options to stop automatic launch.
Why is icue.exe running when I haven't opened iCUE?
Background services may be enabled to manage devices or profiles. Review iCUE settings and disable 'continue running in background' if not needed.
How do I reduce memory usage by icue.exe?
Close unused devices profiles, reduce lighting effects, enable memory-saving options in iCUE, and keep iCUE updated to optimize resource usage.