WmiPrvSE (WMI Provider Host) is the acronym for Windows Management Instrumentation Provider Service. It is a safe process created by Microsoft and needed for Windows to function correctly. WmiPrvSE is a Windows Host Management Process that is used by the Developers for Monitoring Purposes.
It provides information when an app or service request information about your OS. Under normal circumstances, WmiPrvSE has a small system footprint and only runs when you first launch Windows. After upgrading Windows 7 to 10, many users have noticed a spike in CPU usage, which makes the system hot, lag and slow.
It happens when the process runs at very high CPU usage; it could mean that an application is requesting massive data from WMI Provider Host. It may also trouble because of a corrupt registry or lousy software.
Understanding WMI Provider Host
The WMI Provider Host is a critical Windows service that allows applications and administrative scripts to query and set information on system resources, devices, and applications. It acts as an intermediary, providing management information to various parts of the operating system and installed applications.
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The Role of WMI Provider Host
WMI Provider Host plays a pivotal role in system management and monitoring by:
- Facilitating System Interactions: It allows software and administrative scripts to interact with different parts of the Windows operating system.
- Enabling Monitoring and Management: It provides necessary information for system monitoring and management tools.
- Supporting Application Functionality: Many applications depend on WMI Provider Host for information to ensure they function correctly.
Causes of High CPU Usage
High CPU usage by WMI Provider Host can occur due to:
- Malfunctioning Scripts or Applications: Erroneous or poorly designed scripts and applications can cause excessive queries, leading to high CPU usage.
- System or Software Bugs: Bugs in the operating system or installed software can cause abnormal behavior in the WMI Provider Host.
- Malware Infections: Malware can sometimes masquerade as the WMI Provider Host or exploit it to cause high CPU usage.
Impact of High CPU Usage
The high CPU usage by the WMI Provider Host can lead to:
- System Slowdown: It can significantly slow down the computer, hindering the performance of other applications.
- Overheating Issues: Prolonged high CPU usage can cause the system to overheat.
- Decreased Productivity: System lags and slowdowns can negatively impact user productivity.
How To Fix WMI Provider Host High CPU Usage in Windows 10
To Fix WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe) High CPU usage on Windows 10 error, you can try the following methods one after the other:
Solution #1 Do A Clean Boot
It might be so that a particular application might be causing the high CPU usage by WMI Provider Host. Performing a Clean boot can help to solve that. In a Clean boot, only the essential services vital to the boot process are loaded, and the rest are disabled.
To perform a clean boot, follow these steps:
Step 1: First, press Windows key + R.
Step 2: In the dialogue box type in “msconfig” and press Enter.
Step 3: Then, click on Services option and uncheck the “Hide all Microsoft services” button.
Step 4: Next, click on the disable all option and select OK.
Step 5: Now, click on the “Startup” tab and click on the Open Task Manager option.
Step 6: Select the “Startup” button in Task Manager.
Step 7: Click on all options that are enabled and disable them.
Step 8: After disabling all applications in the list, restart your computer.
Step 9: Now check to see if the problem still persists.
Note: If the WMI Provider Host High CPU usage is no longer faced, it means that a third-party application or service was causing it.
Step 10: Start by enabling one service at a time, and stop when the high CPU usage comes back.
Step 11: Either reinstall that particular application or keep it disabled.
Solution #2 Restart WMI Service
Step 1: At first, press Windows key + R.
Step 2: In the dialogue box that appears, type services.msc and press Enter.
Step 3: Find Windows Management Instrumentation, right-click on it and then select Restart.
Solution #3 Other WMI Associated Services
Once you have restarted the Windows Management Instrumentation Service, yet the problems persist, you need to restart other associated services. In order to do so, you need to follow these steps:
Step 1: At first, press Windows key + R.
Step 2: Then type cmd and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter
Note: If you have Windows 10 Creators Update, then you need to type cmd.exe in the search bar, right-click on Command Prompt option and select Run as Administrator.
Step 3: In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each command:
net stop iphlpsvc
net stop wscsvc
net stop Winmgmt
net start Winmgmt
net start wscsvc
net start iphlpsvc
Step 4: Restart your computer and see if the WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe) High CPU usage problem is solved.
Solution #4 Locate Process & Uninstall It
Step 1: At first, press Windows key + X.
Step 2: Click on View in toolbar and select Event Viewer in the WinX Menu.
Step 3: Next, enable the Show Analytic and Debug Logs option.
Step 4: On the left pane, click on Applications and Service Logs.
Step 5: Next, click on Microsoft and select Windows.
Step 6: After that, click on WMI activity and open Operational log.
Step 7: Here, mark the item listed as Error, and click on it to see its specifications.
Step 8: Under the General tab, find ClientProcessId and note down the number(s) that follow it.
Step 9: Press Windows key + R and select Task Manager.
Step 10: Now go to Services tab, find the service that has the same Process ID (PID) as the numbers you noted down. Either disable or uninstall the same.
FAQs
Q: Is it safe to disable the WMI Provider Host service? A: Disabling the WMI Provider Host is not recommended as it is crucial for system and application functionality.
Q: Can this issue indicate a hardware problem? A: The issue is usually related to software, although persistent high CPU usage can lead to hardware problems like overheating.
Q: How often should I check for system updates? A: It’s advisable to check for and install system updates as soon as they become available to ensure your system is secure and running optimally.
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Conclusion
Hopefully, one of these methods has been helpful in fixing the WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe) High CPU usage problem on your computer.
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