Understanding WMI Provider Host High CPU Server 2019

Hello Dev, if you’re reading this, then you’re probably experiencing high CPU usage on your Windows Server 2019. There could be a number of reasons for this, but one of the most common culprits is WMI Provider Host. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what WMI Provider Host is, why it could be causing high CPU usage, and what you can do to fix it.

What is WMI Provider Host?

WMI Provider Host is a background service in Windows that manages the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) system. WMI is a set of tools used to manage and monitor Windows systems in an enterprise environment. It’s used by IT professionals to gather information about various aspects of a system, such as hardware, software, and network settings.

WMI Provider Host is responsible for loading and unloading WMI providers. A WMI provider is a dynamic-link library (DLL) that provides information to WMI. Each provider is typically associated with a specific aspect of the system, such as the CPU, memory, or network adapters.

WMI Provider Host is an essential component of the Windows operating system, but it can cause high CPU usage under certain circumstances.

Why is WMI Provider Host Causing High CPU Usage?

There are several reasons why WMI Provider Host might be causing high CPU usage on your Windows Server 2019. Some of the most common reasons include:

To determine the exact cause of high CPU usage on your server, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting WMI Provider Host High CPU Server 2019

Step 1: Identify the WMI Provider Causing High CPU Usage

The first step in troubleshooting high CPU usage caused by WMI Provider Host is to identify the specific WMI provider that’s causing the problem. You can do this by using Windows Performance Monitor:

1. Open Windows Performance Monitor.
2. Expand Data Collector Sets.
3. Expand System.
4. Select System Performance.
5. Click the green triangle to start the data collector.
6. Wait for a few minutes to collect data.
7. Click Stop to end the data collector.
8. Select the report and click Open to view it.

The report will show you which processes are consuming the most CPU resources. Look for any processes associated with WMI Provider Host, and note which WMI providers they’re associated with. This will help you narrow down the potential causes of high CPU usage.

Step 2: Disable the Problematic WMI Provider

If you’ve identified a specific WMI provider that’s causing high CPU usage, you can try disabling it temporarily to see if that resolves the issue. To do this:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command: wmic path win32_perfformatteddata_perfos_processor where name="% processor_name%" delete
3. Replace % processor_name% with the name of the processor that’s causing the high CPU usage.
4. Press Enter.

This will disable the problematic WMI provider. Check if the CPU usage has decreased. If it has, you’ve found the cause of the issue.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall the Problematic WMI Provider

If disabling the problematic WMI provider didn’t solve the issue, you can try updating or reinstalling it. To do this:

1. Download the latest version of the WMI provider from the manufacturer’s website.
2. Uninstall the current version of the WMI provider.
3. Install the latest version of the WMI provider.
4. Restart your server.

Check if the issue has been resolved.

Step 4: Run an Antivirus Scan

If updating or reinstalling the problematic WMI provider didn’t solve the issue, you can try running an antivirus scan to ensure that your server is not infected with malware. Malware can cause high CPU usage, and some malware specifically targets WMI Provider Host.

Step 5: Contact Microsoft Support

If none of the above steps solve the issue, you can contact Microsoft Support for further assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or solutions.

FAQ

What is a WMI provider?

A WMI provider is a dynamic-link library (DLL) that provides information to the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) system. Each provider is typically associated with a specific aspect of the system, such as the CPU, memory, or network adapters.

What is WMI Provider Host?

WMI Provider Host is a background service in Windows that manages the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) system. WMI is a set of tools used to manage and monitor Windows systems in an enterprise environment.

What can cause high CPU usage in WMI Provider Host?

Several factors can cause high CPU usage in WMI Provider Host, including broken or outdated WMI providers, WMI providers trying to retrieve large amounts of data, and WMI Provider Host being stuck in a loop.

How can I troubleshoot high CPU usage in WMI Provider Host?

To troubleshoot high CPU usage in WMI Provider Host, you should identify the specific WMI provider causing the issue, disable or update the problematic WMI provider, run an antivirus scan, and contact Microsoft Support as a last resort.

Is it safe to disable a WMI provider?

Disabling a WMI provider is usually safe, but it may cause certain system monitoring tools to malfunction or stop working altogether. Be sure to understand the potential consequences before disabling a WMI provider.