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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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!

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

111 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-02-09T22:45:55+00:00

    You can stop the WMI.., you need to stop the gopro program either by closing it on the taskbar or stopping it from running at windows start-up.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-12T16:34:21+00:00

    I had the same problem. Turns out I had just updated my "Beats updater" software from Apple. It was running in the background searching for connected devices of which there were none. As soon as I ended that task, CPU usage back to normal - less than 4% with windows media player running.

    Good luck with your problems everyone.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-02-17T08:31:34+00:00

    In my case, was the GoPro Media Studio, loading at system startup, close the program from the tray. then WMI run normally

    This was my problem to, reported it to GoPro just now, thanks for posting!  Peter

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-03-11T11:23:24+00:00

    GoPro importer causes high cpu usage too. Close all Gopro software then WMI run normally.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments