Are you experiencing high levels of CPU usage on Windows 10? Think WMI provider host may be the main culprit? Keep reading to find out exactly what WMI provider host is, and if you can prevent it from using so much CPU usage.
What Is WMI Provider Host?
WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) is a set of system management tools that Microsoft has built into every version of Windows since Windows NT 3.1.
It allows applications to access information about the operating system without needing direct user interaction.
This includes things like hardware inventory, software installation status, network configuration, printer settings, and more.
The WMI service runs in the background and provides this information for all users.
The WMI service uses a special type of process called a “provider” to provide these services. Providers are processes that run in the background and provide information to other programs.
They do not require any user input or interaction. There are two types of providers: local and remote. Local providers run only within the same computer as the application requesting them.
Remote providers allow an app to request data from another computer over the network.
The WMI service automatically starts when you install Windows. However, there are some cases where the WMI service can cause problems.
If you have a slow Internet connection, or if your computer is connected to a VPN, then the WMI service will use up a lot of resources. In these situations, you might notice that your PC becomes unresponsive or slows down.
How To Fix WMI Provider Host
If you suspect that the WMI service is causing issues with your PC, then check out our guide below to see how to fix it.
We’ll show you how to stop the WMI service from running at startup, which should help reduce its resource usage.
Step
Open Task Manager
Click Start, click Run, type taskmgr, and press Enter. You should now see a window similar to the one shown above.Open Task Manager.
Step
Find The WMI Service Process
Right-click the WMI service process and select End Task.
Step
Restart Your Computer
After stopping the WMI service, restart your computer.
There are also a few other ways to fix WMI provider host, including:
Running A Virus Scan
Another way to fix WMI provider host is to run a virus scan. Sometimes, malware or a virus can cause the issue, and running a scan can help you get rid of the problem.
Boot Into Safe Mode (With Networking)
If this isn’t the case, you may need to boot your computer into safe mode with networking. To do this, follow the steps below:
Press the F8 key repeatedly during the first screen of the boot process until you reach Advanced Boot Options. Select Safe Mode With Networking and press Enter.
Note: Make sure you don’t choose anything else! If you accidentally select something else, then you could end up with multiple instances of the WMI service running on your machine, which would be very bad.
Uninstall Any Components Or Drivers Causing Issues
Sometimes, a driver or component installed by mistake can cause the WMI service to start. Uninstalling these components can solve the problem.
To uninstall any drivers or components causing issues, go to Device Manager and right-click each device listed under Other Devices. Choose Uninstall.
To remove any additional components that aren’t listed in Device Manager, open the Control Panel and navigate to Programs and Features. Then, look for any items named WMI Provider Host. Remove them using the Remove button.
Restart Your WMI Provider Host Service
If none of the methods described above work, then you may need to reboot your computer. This will force the WMI service to load again.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, we’ve been able to help you resolve the issue caused by the WMI service. Follow the steps above to find your solution!
