WMI Provider Host High CPU

Vikas Solutions

WMI is a Windows Management Instrumentation service as part of Windows Host Management components. The primary functionality of this process is to monitor and facilitate instrumental components, command-line and scripting environments such as Windows Powershell, vbscript. In this article, we’ll discuss what causes WMI host service to consume higher CPU usage and how to fix it.

Solution 1: Run Performance Troubleshooter

The Troubleshooting utility in Windows let you diagnose various system problems including high CPU usage caused by WMI. Use it to automatically resolve the problem.

  1. Press Windows Key + X, select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Enter the following command:
    • msdt.exe /id PerformanceDiagnostic
  3. Press ENTER.
  4. This will open up the Performance Troubleshooter wizard.
  5. Click on Next.

Solution 2: Delete Corrupted Cache

One major reason behind WMI Provider Host High CPU is corrupted cache. Windows Host Management service uses temporary cache to store data and retrieve it at a later time. Due to various reasons such as unexpected shutdowns, the temporary files get corrupted. This can cause WMI service to malfunction. Delete your system cache contents as shown under:

  1. Download and install ST Cleaner software.
  2. Run the program.
  3. Click on the Scan button.
  4. The program will analyze your computer for temporary files, system cache, temporary Internet files, browser cache, software junk, etc.
  5. Once the scan is finished, review the items and click on Clean Now.

Solution 3: Restart WMI Helper Processes

WMI is not a single process. Many helper processes run async for the smooth functioning of the WMI functionality. Terminate all the WMI-helper processes and restart them again.

  1. Click the Start button, type CMD.
  2. Right-click Command Prompt, select Run as Administrator.
  3. Execute the commands given below to stop processes associated to WMI Provider:
    • net stop iphlpsvc
    • net stop Winmgmt
    • net stop wscsvc
  4. After all the processes are successfully stopped, use the following commands to restart them again:
    • net start iphlpsvc
    • net start Winmgmt
    • net start wscsvc

Solution 4: Trace High-Resource Consuming WMI Processes

Another way to fix WMI provider host high CPU usage is to trace the high-resource consuming process using Event Viewer. Event Viewer allows you to view, monitor and manage error logs for system diagnostic purposes.

  1. Type Event Viewer in the Search Box on your Taskbar, and open Event Viewer.
  2. Click on the View menu, and select Show Analytic and Debug Logs.
  3. Expand the following nodes from the left-hand side panel:
  4. Application and Service Logs | Microsoft | Windows | WMI-Activity
  5. Look for any error messages recorded by the Windows Management Instrumentation activity..
  6. Next, look for the Client Process ID corresponding to recent error messages. To find the Client Process ID, select and highlight an error message. Event Viewer will display more information about the error in the General tab underneath. Look for the Client Process ID.
  7. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete simultaneously, and select Task Manager.
  8. Expand the Task Manager interface by clicking Show details icon.
  9. Click on the Services tab.
  10. Here, all processes will appear by their name, PID (Process ID), Status and Group. PID is our Client Process ID.
  11. Look for a service matching the same Client Process ID (or just, Process ID). This is the process causing excessive CPU usage.
  12. Find the program associated with that process from the Description. If no information is specified, right-click the service and select Open services.
  13. Uninstall the program from Start > Settings > Apps.

Solution 5: Disable Third-Party Startups

Another factor contributing WMI high CPU usage is problematic third-party startups. Try to temporarily disable all third-party startup items to see if that resolves the issue.

  1. Open the Task Manager.
  2. Click on the Startup tab.
  3. Identify the program associated with the high-resource consuming Process ID.
  4. Right-click it and select the Disable option.

Solution 6: Boot Into Safe Mode

Another approach is to boot your Windows PC into Safe Mode. When you load your operating system into safe mode, no third-party startup items, services are executed. Only essential Windows components and minimal drivers are loaded.

  1. Click on the Start button, select Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security, followed by Recovery.
  3. Click the Restart now button under Advanced Startup.
  4. Your computer will restart to Choose an option screen.
  5. Select the Troubleshoot icon.
  6. Click on the Advanced Options, followed by Startup Settings.
  7. Click on Restart when you’re prompted to do so.
  8. Once your computer restart, a list of startup options will appear. Select 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
  9. Your computer will boot up in the Safe Mode.

Solution 7: Disable WMI Altogether

Temporarily disabling the Windows Management Instrumentation service altogether might help you determine if the problem continues to persist. The steps are as under:

  1. Press Windows Key + X keys simultaneously.
  2. Select the Run option.
  3. Type in services.msc in the textbox, and hit ENTER.
  4. In the newly opened Services dialog, look for Windows Management Instrumentation.
  5. Right-click that service, and select Properties.
  6. Set the Startup Type to Disabled.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.