How to fix WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe) High CPU/Memory/Disk Usage

What is WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe)?

WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe) is a critical component of the Windows operating system. “WMI” stands for Windows Management Instrumentation, which provides a standardized way for software and administrative scripts to request information about the state of the Windows operating system and data on it. The WMI Provider Host acts as an intermediary between system hardware and software, allowing applications to access system information and manage devices on the network. This process is essential for the smooth operation of many Windows features and applications. It allows software to query system information, such as the status of BitLocker drive encryption, event log entries, or data from installed applications that include a WMI provider. This functionality is particularly useful for enterprises that manage PCs centrally, as it enables information to be requested via scripts and displayed in administrative consoles.

WMI Provider Host is also responsible for enabling health checks on the underlying Windows OS, providing monitoring details and relaying system information to applications. It collects and shares details about the physical hardware, such as mainboard information, chipset details, and memory state. Additionally, it provides access to system performance metrics and network-related data, which are crucial for network management and diagnostics. Despite its importance, WMI Provider Host should not normally consume significant system resources. High CPU, memory, or disk usage by WmiPrvSE.exe is usually a sign that another application is requesting data through WMI excessively. This can happen due to misbehaving software, malware, or other issues that need to be addressed to restore normal system performance.

Manual solutions to fix WmiPrvSE.exe high CPU/memory/disk usage

1. Restart the WMI Service

Restarting the Windows Management Instrumentation service can often resolve high resource usage issues:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate the Windows Management Instrumentation service.
3. Right-click it and select Restart.

2. Identify and Terminate the Problematic Process

Use the Event Viewer to identify the process causing high CPU usage:

1. Open Event Viewer by pressing Win + X and selecting Event Viewer.
2. Navigate to Applications and Service Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WMI-Activity > Operational.
3. Look for recent “Error” events and note the ClientProcessId.
4. Open Task Manager, go to the Details tab, and find the process with the matching ID.
5. Terminate the problematic process or restart it if necessary.

3. Run a Virus Scan

Malware can cause high resource usage. Run a comprehensive virus scan using your antivirus software to detect and remove any malicious programs. You can do it either using the in-built Windows Defender or use a more advanced antivirus. We recommend Malwarebytes – a trusted and talented group of experts constantly updating their software to fight off both local and global threats. You can download it now using the link below and get a 14-day trial of the ultimate antimalware experience completely for free.

Malwarebytes main window

Malwarebytes settings

Malwarebytes scan results

4. Boot into Safe Mode with Networking

Booting into Safe Mode can help isolate the issue:

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Boot tab, check Safe boot, and select Network.
3. Restart your computer.

5. Use WMIMon to Monitor WMI Activity

WMIMon is a tool that can help monitor WMI activity:

1. Download WMIMon from GitHub.
2. Extract the contents and open a command prompt as an administrator.
3. Navigate to the extracted folder and run WMIMon.exe.

6. Check for Windows Updates

Ensure your system is up to date, as updates can fix bugs and improve performance:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Check for updates and install any available ones.

Windows 11 -> Settings

Settings ->Windows Update

Windows Update -> Check for Updates

7. Disable or Uninstall Problematic Applications

If specific applications are causing high resource usage, consider disabling or uninstalling them:

1. Open Task Manager and identify the applications using high resources.
2. Uninstall or disable these applications to see if it resolves the issue.

By following these steps, you can effectively diagnose and resolve high CPU, memory, or disk usage issues caused by the WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe), ensuring your Windows system runs smoothly.