WMI Provider Host High CPU Usage in Server 2012 R2

Dear Dev,If you’re facing a high CPU usage issue on your Server 2012 R2, then you’re not alone. Many server administrators have reported this issue, and it’s mainly caused by the WMI Provider Host process. In this article, we’ll discuss the root cause of this issue and how to fix it.

What is WMI Provider Host?

WMI Provider Host is a Microsoft service that provides information about the hardware and software of a system. It enables software developers to query and configure many aspects of their operating system and applications. The service is an essential component of Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).

How does WMI Provider Host function?

WMI Provider Host runs in the background and responds to requests from other applications or users. It collects data and sends it back to the requesting program or user. This process is initiated by the WMI infrastructure, which provides a standard way of accessing information from a wide variety of sources.

Why does WMI Provider Host cause high CPU usage?

WMI Provider Host may sometimes cause high CPU usage when a query to WMI takes an unusually long time to execute. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as a corrupt WMI repository or an outdated driver.

Symptoms of WMI Provider Host High CPU Usage

If your Server 2012 R2 is suffering from WMI Provider Host high CPU usage, then you’ll notice the following symptoms:

• The server becomes slow and unresponsive.
• The CPU usage spikes up to 100%.
• The fans of the server may start spinning faster than usual.
• The server may freeze or crash altogether.

How to Fix WMI Provider Host High CPU Usage in Server 2012 R2

There are several ways to fix WMI Provider Host high CPU usage in Server 2012 R2. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Method 1: Restart the WMI Service

The first method to fix WMI Provider Host high CPU usage is to restart the WMI service. This can be done by following the steps below:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.
3. Scroll down and find the “Windows Management Instrumentation” service.
4. Right-click on it and select “Restart”.

After restarting the WMI service, check if the CPU usage has gone down.

Method 2: Run a System File Checker Scan

Sometimes, corrupt system files can cause WMI Provider Host high CPU usage. To fix this, you can run a System File Checker (SFC) scan, which will check for corrupt system files and replace them with the correct ones. Here’s how you can run an SFC scan:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete (it may take some time).
4. Restart your server.

After restarting, check if the CPU usage has gone down.

Method 3: Rebuild the WMI Repository

If the WMI repository is corrupt, then rebuilding it may solve the high CPU usage issue. Here’s how you can rebuild the WMI repository:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
2. Type “net stop winmgmt” and press Enter.
3. Navigate to the “C:\Windows\System32\Wbem” folder.
4. Rename the “Repository” folder to “Repository.old”.
5. Type “net start winmgmt” and press Enter.

After rebuilding the WMI repository, check if the CPU usage has gone down.

FAQ

Q1: What is WMI?

WMI stands for Windows Management Instrumentation. It is a Windows-based technology that provides a standard way to query and configure many aspects of an operating system.

Q2: How do I know if the WMI Provider Host is causing high CPU usage?

You can monitor the CPU usage of the WMI Provider Host process in the Task Manager. If it’s constantly using more than 50% of the CPU, then it’s likely causing the high CPU usage issue.

Q3: Can I disable the WMI service?

It’s not recommended to disable the WMI service, as it’s an essential component of many applications and services.

Q4: Can outdated drivers cause WMI Provider Host high CPU usage?

Yes, outdated or faulty drivers can cause WMI Provider Host high CPU usage. It’s important to keep your drivers up-to-date to avoid issues like this.

Conclusion

WMI Provider Host high CPU usage can be a frustrating issue for any server administrator. But with the methods outlined in this article, you can fix the issue and get your server back to its normal state. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.