FIX: WMI Provider Host High CPU Usage on Windows 10/8/7 OS (Solved)
The WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe), is a process that is related to Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service which is the infrastructure for management data and operations on Windows-based operating systems.
The WMI Provider Host process is running on the background and normally does not use many system resources. But on several occasions I have noticed that the WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe) process causes the CPU to work at 100% and makes the system unusable.
In this tutorial you will find detailed instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve the high CPU usage issue that is caused by the WmiPrvSE.exe (WMI Provider Host) process.
How to Resolve WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe) High CPU Usage (Windows 10, 8.1, 7)
Method 1. Scan your computer for viruses.
Method 2. Install All available Windows Updates.
Method 3. Run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter.
Method 4. Locate which Program or Service Causes the High CPU Usage.
Method 5. Disable Third-Party services that Depend on the "Windows Management Instrumentation" service.
Method 6. Stop or Disable the Culprit Service.
Method 7. FIX Corrupted System Files and Services (SFC).
Method 8. FIX Windows corruption errors with DISM tool.
Method 1. Scan your computer for viruses.
Viruses or malicious programs can cause the WMI Provider Host CPU usage issues. So, before you continue to troubleshoot the WmiPrvSE.exe (WMI Provider Host) high CPU usage problem, use this Malware Scan and Removal Guide to check and remove viruses or/and malicious programs that may be running on your computer.
Method 2. Install All available Windows Updates.
Make sure that you have installed all available Windows Updates on your computer. To do that:
- On Windows 7, 8, 8.1:
1. Press Windows + R keys to load the Run dialog box.
2. Type the following command to open Windows Update and press Enter.
- wuapp.exe
3. Click the Check for updates button and then install all updates found.
- On Windows 10:
1. Click the Windows Start button and open Settings.
2. Click Update & security.
3. Click the Check for updates button and then install all updates found.
Method 3. Run System Maintenance & Windows Update troubleshooters.
Run the System Maintenance troubleshooter to automatically fix the system's problems.
1. Navigate to Windows Control Panel.
2. Set the View by to: Small icons and then click Troubleshooting.
3. Click on View all.
4. Double click at System Maintenance.
5. Press Next and then follow the onscreen prompts to run the System Maintenance troubleshooter.
Method 4. Find which Service or Program causes the WmiPrvSE.exe High CPU Usage.
1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open run command box.
2. In run command box, type: eventvwr.msc press Enter.
3. In Event viewer go to:
- Applications and Services Logs -> Microsoft -> Windows -> WMI Activity > Operational
4. Click at the 'WMI-Activity' error and notice the ClientProcessId number.
5. Then, press the Ctrl + SHIFT + ESC keys to open the Task Manager.
6. Now look at the Details & the Services tab to find which process or service has the same the PID number with the ClientProcessId number you noticed in Event Viewer in order to find the culprit service or application.
7. When you find which application or service cause the WMI Provider Host high CPU usage issue, uninstall the culprit application or change the priority of the culprit process to Low. *
* Notes:
1. To change the priority of a process: right click on the process and select Set priority.
2. If the high CPU usage is caused from a Windows service, then stop or completely disable the service by following the instructions at Method-6 below.
8. When done, restart your PC and see if the high CPU usage issue has resolved.
Method 5. Disable the Third-Party services that Depend on the "Windows Management Instrumentation" service.
1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open run command box.
2. In run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter.
3. Right click on Windows Management Instrumentation service and select Properties.
4. Select the Dependencies tab and see if at "The following system components depend on this service" box, you see any other services except the "IP Helper". *
* Note: By default, the only service that depend on the "Windows Management Instrumentation" service is the IP Helper service.
5. If you see any other service (except the 'IP Helper') proceed and disable the third party service (see method-6 for instructions) or uninstall the corresponding application. *
* e.g. (see the screenshot below): Disable the MalwareBytes service or uninstall the MalwareBytes application.
Method 6. Stop or Disable the Culprit Service.
1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open run command box.
2. In run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter.
3. On the list of services, find the service* that you want to stop or disable and right click on it. Then, perform one of the following actions:
* Note: If you cannot find which service, causes the high CPU issue, then proceed and restart, stop or disable the "Windows Management Instrumentation" service.
- a. Select Stop to temporarily stop the service (until restart).
- b. Select Properties and set the Startup Type to Disabled to completely disable the service.
Method 7. FIX Corrupted System Files and Services (SFC).
Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to fix Windows' corrupted files and services. To do that:
1. Open an elevated command prompt window by going to:
2. In the command window, type the following command and press Enter.
- SFC /SCANNOW
3. Wait and do not use your computer until SFC tool checks and fixes the corrupted system files or services.
4. When SFC tool finishes, reboot your computer and check if the 'WMI Provider Host' is still hogging CPU's resources.
Method 8: FIX Windows corruption errors with DISM tool (System Update Readiness Tool).
1. Right click at Windows start button and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. At the command prompt window, type the following command & press Enter:
- Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
3. Be patient until DISM repairs component store.
4. When the operation is completed, you should be informed that the component store corruption was repaired.
5. Close command prompt window and restart your computer.
Good Luck!
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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