WMI Provider Host constantly disrupting performance of my CPU, especially when music is playing.

Anonymous
2013-05-01T11:13:12+00:00

Hello,

The WMI Provider Host always flares up to about 30% of CPU usage after about 10 minutes on.  When it does, if I'm playing any music it slows the computer down so the music becomes jerky and distorted and the computer runs slowly.  I don't have any 3rd party virus programs, and haven't installed many programs, so don't understand why it does this.

I have a Windows 8 Desktop machine and mostly use it for internet and playing music, so this is particularly annoying when it happens.

I am not technically minded, so does anyone have a simple solution for a technophobe?!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2013-05-01T23:18:01+00:00

Hi,

It appears that you have an issue with High CPU usage at idle. However, in order to guide you in the right direction; I will need some more information. Please help me by answering the question mentioned below.

Did you make any changes to the computer prior to this issue?

In-order to fix the High CPU usage issue, refer the following methods.

Method 1:

Check if you can experience the issue in ‘Safe mode with networking’; if safe mode with networking works fine then set the computer to ‘Clean boot’ state to check for software conflicts.

Step 1:

Windows Start-up Settings (including safe mode).

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

Step 2:

Keep the computer in clean boot and check the issue status.

How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: Please go through the section: How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot of the Kb article to boot the computer in normal startup after fixing the issue.

Method 2:

I would also suggest you to run “System Maintenance” to diagnose and fix the issue. It finds and cleans up unused files and shortcuts, and performs maintenance tasks.

Follow these steps:

a.       Press “Windows key + W” from keyboard.

b.      Type “Troubleshooting” without quotes in the search box and hit enter

c.       From “Troubleshooting” windows click “View all” option from the left panel.

d.      In the list of options, click on “System maintenance”.

e.      Click “Next” and follow the on-screen instructions.

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need assistance with Windows, we’ll be glad to assist you!

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-22T16:38:11+00:00

    Was this a "copy and paste" response?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-16T09:54:00+00:00

    I tracked my problem down to a malware called Conduit Search. After killing the process and then uninstalling the program, the CPU utilization has gone down to 3-4%.

    Thanks it was making me crazy, and you were right

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-11T23:11:43+00:00

    My HP laptop was running very slow. I noticed the WMI Provider Host was slowing my PC down. I tried Method 2 first and it solved my issues. WMI Provider Host CPU usage went from 40% to 9%.

    Thanks for the help!

    Method 2:

    I would also suggest you to run “System Maintenance” to diagnose and fix the issue. It finds and cleans up unused files and shortcuts, and performs maintenance tasks.

    Follow these steps:

    a.       Press “Windows key + W” from keyboard.

    b.      Type “Troubleshooting” without quotes in the search box and hit enter

    c.       From “Troubleshooting” windows click “View all” option from the left panel.

    d.      In the list of options, click on “System maintenance”.

    e.      Click “Next” and follow the on-screen instructions.

    I have just diagnosed a PC where WMI Service Host was maxing out the CPU on a relatively new HP Pavilion laptop running Windows 8.0.  As it wasn't my PC, and didn't have all the required restore media or the time to do a restore if I messed it up, I just stopped the task in task manager and then disabled it in Services.  The CPU utilisation dropped to about 5%, which was largely task manager updating.

    Other articles I have read suggested running anti-malware software, but this laptop had Symantec Internet Security which didn't detect the malware. 

    I can't comment on whether or not the Conduit Search malware came with the PC, but if it had then HP have a real problem. 

    The best defence against this type of malware is to have a good Anti-Malware utility (I use AVG Internet Security), keep it up to date and enable real-time protection.  Then only log in using a basic account, and have a separate local account as the administrator.  You will then get a challenge every time something wants to install software that requires administrator privileges.  Of course, if it's installing it under your local account, then it will still get through, but it will only affect you when you are logged in and deleting your account from the PC will more than likely fix that problem.

    Of course, the best defence of all is to know what you are clicking on and if it looks dodgy, then it probably is.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-11T10:21:35+00:00

    I have the same problem, but I cannot find a 'Search conduit' on my PC

    My PC is a Lenovo H520S

    I did run System Maintenance but found nothing wrong

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