FIX: Service Host High CPU Usage? What is Svchost.exe?

You just saw Svchost.exe High CPU Usage Consumption in Task Manager

And,

You would be wondering what even is Service Host?

Svchost.exe(Service Host) is a legitimate process by Microsoft for Windows OS and plays an important role in running critical services for Windows  

Recently users have reported that upon opening their Task Manager they saw that Svchost.exe is using a lot of high CPU/RAM almost above 90%.

First of all, you don’t need to worry much because you are not alone in this and many users were trying to disable svchost.exe high CPU usage on Windows 11.

But,

We have compiled a list of the best solutions for you to fix the svchost.exe high CPU usage

Before going to the fix there will be some important questions regarding the Svchost exe error that might be in your mind.

What is Svchost.exe? What is svchost.exe doing?

Svchost.exe stands for Service Host and was introduced in Windows 7 and can also be found in the latest versions of Windows 10 and 11.

It was developed by Microsoft for Windows OS and plays an important role in loading other critical services for Windows.

Svchost.exe is located in C:\Windows\System32 and it acts as a medium and helps load services from DLL files and handles other related services.

So, whenever Svchost.exe helps the Windows OS in handling services it uses high RAM and GPU, and sometimes it uses more than 90%.

Also Readntoskrnl.exe BSOD

Why are so many svchost.exe running?

There are so many svchost.exe running as in previous versions of Windows one svchost used to run at least 15 services but later in Windows 10 and newer versions, one service is run by only one svchost.

So you don’t need to worry much if you see so any svchost.exe running as they will make processes easier and smoother.

Is svchost.exe a virus? How do I know if I have svchost virus?

Svchost.exe is totally safe as svchost is a legitimate program digitally signed by Microsoft Corporation and most users have not found it safe.

As it is legitimate so hackers might attack the program to make changes and carry out their illegal activities through svchost exe

Moreover, if you are a Windows XP user and if you see service host cryptographic services running on your PC then it’s an unwanted program as this file no longer works there.

Also, we can clear our doubt that the windows processes service host is a virus or not by checking the file location as it should be located in its default file location when it was originally developed.

But still, to be on the safe side you can check if there’s a virus or not through Task Manager:

  1. Press together Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to Details and look for svchost.exe
  3. Also on your right side under the description column make sure its name is correct.
  4. Right-click on it and select Open file location.
  5. If it is located at C:\Windows\System32svchost-exe

And if it’s not in the given address then it might be a virus or spyware so my advice is for you to run a full system scan with the help of your anti-virus program installed on your PC.

Also Read: What is Acrord32.exe?

 

Video Guide: Service Host High CPU Usage?

 

Solution 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

The first thing you can do is run the Windows update troubleshooter as Svchost.exe High CPU Usage can be due to when the Windows search for updates in the background.

Just follow the steps below to fix Svchost.exe on Windows 11:

  1. Click on the Search icon
  2. Select Settings > System.
  3. Now look for Troubleshoot and click on it.troubleshoot svchost.exe
  4. Next, select the Other troubleshooter option.Other troubleshooter svchost.exe high cpu usage
  5. Now under the other heading select Windows Update and click on the Run button.svchost.exe high cpu usage
  6. Now follow the on-screen instruction until the troubleshoot finishes.
  7. After it’s done identifying and fixing the problems you need to restart your PC to see if Svchost.exe High CPU Usage is fixed or not.

Solution 2: Scan For Virus and Threats Svchost.exe High CPU Usage

When you download something from a malicious website you may download a virus with it.

Although you have an antivirus installed on your PC still it can’t protect your system 100%.

Also, it can lead to Svchost.exe High CPU/RAM/Network usage.

So, to overcome Svchost.exe High CPU Usage in Windows 11 it’s best to scan for viruses using the Windows 11 built-in virus protection software.

Here’s how:

  1. Click on the Search icon
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Now click on Privacy & security > Windows Securityprivacy and security Svchost.exe High CPU Usage
  4. Select Virus & threat protection and click on Quick scan.quick scan Svchost.exe High CPU Usage
  5. Wait for the scan to finish and it will let you know how to deal with the virus either remove or block it.
  6. Then restart your PC to see Svchost.exe High CPU is fixed.

Also ReadTOASTER.EXE Failed

Solution 3: Clear Event Viewer Logs to Fix Service Host Cryptographic Services

Svchost.exe High CPU/RAM usage can be due to unnecessary log files in Windows event viewer.

So to clear those files you need to empty event viewer logs.

And here’s what you need to do:

  1. Press Windows Button + R Key
  2. The Run Dialogue Box will appear
  3. Type “eventvwr“ and press Enterevent viewer Svchost.exe High CPU Usage
  4. The Event Viewer window will open
  5. Now click on the Windows Logs and you will see a number of other items.
  6. Right-click on the Application and select clear logsvchost.exe high disk usage
  7. Now repeat the same steps for Setup Log, System Log, and Security Log to clear their logs.
  8. After rebooting your PC check if the service host cryptographic services are solved or not.

If the above solution didn’t work for you then move on to the next one for fixing Svchost.exe High CPU Usage.

Solution 4: Update Windows 11 to Fix Svchost.exe High CPU Usage

Sometimes your outdated PC is the main cause of the Svchost.exe High CPU Usage in Windows 11

For the best performance of your PC, you need to make sure that your Windows OS is up to date, and with new updates, the bugs or errors like svchost.exe and high memory usage will be fixed.

So, here is how you can update your Windows 11 OS:

  1. Click on the Windows iconWindows icon Svchost.exe High CPU Usage
  2. Click on the settings icon and a new window will pop up
  3. Select Windows Update from the left menuWindows Update Svchost.exe High CPU Usage
  4. The new window will pop up
  5. Then click on Check for updates button.Check for updates Svchost.exe High CPU Usage
  6. If there is any update it will start updating the PCupdating the PC Svchost.exe High CPU Usage
  7. It will take some time to update Windows OS and after that, you can restart your PC and check if svchost.exe high CPU usage still exists.

Also Read: MMC.exe Error Blocked

Solution 5: Disable BITS Service to Fix Svchost.exe

Svchost.exe high RAM usage can be caused when BITS is using too a lot of bandwidth.

BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) is a part of Microsoft Windows OS and is used to download important updates required by the system to run properly such as Windows Update in the background.

Due to this, it generates Svchost.exe leading to high RAM/CPU usage so to fix Svchost.exe high CPU usage you need to disable the BITS service.

Remember that disabling Background Intelligent Transfer Service won’t affect your daily performance of the PC and everything will work normally.

Here’s how you can disable it:

  1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run window.
  2. Then type services.msc and click OK to enter the service app.services.msc svchost.exe high cpu usage
  3. Scroll down and find Background Intelligent Transfer Service and double-click the Services to open its properties.
  4. In the Startup Type section choose Disabled from the drop-down list.Startup Type section choose Disabled svchost.exe high disk usage
  5. After rebooting your PC check if Svchost.exe high CPU usage is fixed or not.

Also Read: LockApp.exe? What’s It? Is It Safe?

Solution 6: Delete the Software Distribution Folder to Fix Svchost.exe high CPU usage

The software distribution folder is where Windows stores its downloaded updates and if the files in that folder get corrupted then this can lead to Svchost.exe high CPU usage.

So here’s how you will be able to delete it:

  1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run window.
  2. Then type services.msc and click OK to enter the service app
  3. Scroll down and find Windows Update service and right-click on it to select Stop.Windows Update service svchost-exe high disk usage
  4. Now go to File Explorer and go to this address C:\Windows.
  5. Right-click on the SoftwareDistribution folder and select DeleteSoftwareDistribution svchost-exe high disk usage
  6. After restarting an empty SoftwareDistribution folder will be created automatically to store downloaded updates and svchost.exe will be fixed.

Also Read: FIX: Microsoft Block Level Backup Engine Service?

Solution 6: Scan System File to Fix Svchost exe

Most errors are caused by corrupted files, so start by checking the system files to fix the svchost.exe error

You can do this using the command prompt.

While typing commands be careful at the spaces between ‘/’ and word.

So here’s what you need to do to fix service host cryptographic services:

  1. Search by pressing the window key and type “Command Prompt“
  2. Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as Administrator“. The option is available in the right pane of the window too.
  3. Type “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Res and press Enter.
  4. It Might take up to 30 minutes to complete the process
  5. Once the operation is completed successfully, type “sfc /scannow” in the command line and then press the Enter key.
  6. If there were any corrupted files you would see the following message on the command line: “Windows Resource Protection detected corrupted files and successfully restored them.”
  7. If so, type exit and hit enter.
  8. Svchost.exe error corrupted files would have been fixed by now.
  9. You can restart your windows and check if the Svchost.exe high CPU usage error in Windows 7 exists.command prompt Svchost.exe high CPU usage

Conclusion

So, these are the best fixes we could get for you in fixing svchost exe High CPU usage in Windows 11 and

Disabling svchost.exe from your system is not that much of an easy job and also we don’t recommend it to so that’s why we have provided you with the best possible solutions.

So, you shouldn’t take it lightly and never try to ignore it if the svchost exe is acting like malware and it might get your personal data.

It’s best you try all the solutions and if you have any other fix related to svchost.exe high CPU usage or any type of question then just let us know in the comment section below.

FAQs

  1. Is svchost.exe causing High CPU Usage?

    svchost.exe is causing that too high CPU usage but very low disk usage and you can find this on the Task Manager

  2. What does .exe mean?

    It’s a short form of an executable file and helps Windows run and install the software.

  3. Is svchost exe a virus?

    Svchost exe is not a virus unless it replicates itself or harms your computer

Zul
Zul

Zul is an avid gamer with a passion for RPG and racing games. He enjoys playing games like Need for Speed and Grand Theft Auto 5 and is also skilled at fixing errors and crashes to enhance the gaming experience. Zul stays up-to-date with the latest gaming news and enjoys sharing his knowledge through writing gaming guides and articles.
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