PhoneExperienceHost.exe high CPU usage when pc idle

Anonymous
2022-11-12T15:18:33+00:00

Hi,

When I come back to my laptop and it's gone into idle mode (screen off) I can hear the fans running fast, but as soon as I move the mouse the fans die off. I tried to figure out for a while what was happening and eventually set up perfmon to record what processes were running. I discovered that runs at 50% CPU continuously while the machine is in idle which is ridiculous for something that shouldn't be doing anything much (I'd upload a screenshot but there doesn't seem to be an option anywhere). Looking at details in Task Manager the PhoneExperienceHost.exe process has used twice as much CPU in total than any other app, even though I haven't used it in the foreground.

I do use Phone link to connect to my phone, but it's in the background (system tray icon only) and shouldn't be doing anything most of the time.

There's nothing related in Event viewer and I can't see anything in Scheduler which might trigger it.

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the Phone Link software.

The machine says it is up to date for patching.

I've searched for anything related to this issue and found nothing helpful so either it's only my machine, or other people don't realise it's happening as it only happens when they can't look at it!

Any ideas on how to fix this so it stops using my power (obviously uninstalling is not an option)? (TBH though, I expect it's something built into the software and can only be fixed by MS)

Thanks,

Jon W

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Connect Phone and PC

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-11-12T16:43:14+00:00

    Hi and thanks for reaching out. My name is Bernard a Windows fan like you. I'll be happy to help you out today.

    I understand the issue you have, nothing to worry I am here to help, I know some of these steps are already done, you have just skipped it if you think it will have the same result.

    Method 1. Do clean boot:

    A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, so that you can determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program.

    • In the search box on the taskbar, type msconfig and select System Configuration from the results.
    • On the Services tab of System Configuration, select Hide all Microsoft services, and then select Disable all.
    • On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select Open Task Manager.
    • Under Startup in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then select Disable.
    • Close Task Manager.
    • On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select OK. When you restart the computer, it's in a clean boot environment.

    troubleshooting reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135...

    Method 2. Run memory diagnostic tool: Memory diagnostic tool is a RAM test to check if there is any issues with RAM.

    • Press Windows key + R then type in mdsched.exe hit OK then restart the device.

    Let me know how it goes and I hope that helps.

    Bernard

    Independent Advisor

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-11-12T17:37:00+00:00

    Hi Bernard,

    Sorry, no, there's nothing wrong with the machine, there are no errors and this is not a new issue.

    This is not a background app that's interfering - It's an app that is deliberately running some process when the machine is idle. If I didn't know better I would think it was a bitcoin mining virus, but my machine is well secured and this is a microsoft signed executable. (Just in case anyone is thinking of suggesting virus scans and the like, please don't as that is not the issue)

    This is a specific issue with the PhoneExperienceHost.exe (PhoneLink) app - I've seen other people complain about it and the usual advice is just to uninstall it, but I use it so that's not an option.

    Regards,

    Jon

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-11-13T02:22:21+00:00

    Thank you for your detailed reply and I do apologize it didn't work on your end. Let's ask our colleagues if they do have ideas and fix for this.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-11-15T21:00:30+00:00

    I too am seeing this exact behavior for the last few months i believe. CPU start to work hard once windows machine goes idle, fan kicks in loud. Totally unacceptable.

    Windows 10 Home

    22H2

    19045.2251

    Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700HQ CPU @ 2.80GHz 2.80 GHz

    RAM: 16.0 GB (15.9 GB usable)

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-11-21T23:00:44+00:00

    hi,

    I have the same problem, process PhoneExperienceHost.exe earn a lot of CPU when screen is off. When I unlock the machine the process stop using cpu and return to normal.

    during the standby the cpu goes high, computer gets very hot and fan runs at full speed.

    I have windows 11 pro 22H2, hardware is HP Probook 450 - Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8565Und fan CPU @ 1.80GHz, 16GB Ram. SSD disk.

    I also tried to remove "my phone" from pc, and without this app the CPU never goes high.

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