[Solved] Svchost.exe High CPU Issue

Many Windows 10 users have reported that svchost.exe is taking up all the CPU resources. 

If your system is infected with a virus attack, this can be a primary reason for causing this svchost.exe high CPU issue. 

Besides, outdated Windows 10, corrupted Windows file, faulty ‘svchost.exe’ services can also lead to this glitch.

In case, you have a large file or event logs in the event viewer, or the BITS service is enabled, it can corrupt files. So, this may also be the reason why the Service Host is overusing the CPU.

Solutions to Resolve Svchost.exe High CPU Usage Error

Check out the possible methods to fix the issue of svchost.exe high CPU on Windows 10 within no time.

Solution 1- Update Antivirus and Scan Device

Update Antivirus and Scan Device

Since all antivirus are different, so here we are covering the steps to update Windows Defender. 

How to Update the Built-in Windows Defender Antivirus?

First, type ‘ Windows Defender’ in the Search menu and select it. When it opens, click on the ‘Check for updates now’ button.

When the antivirus is up to date, then run a full system scan. The process might take some time. However, it is important to ensure that you don’t have a virus interfacing with the svchost.exe process.

In case, you are using a third-party antivirus, then visit the manufacturer’s official website. After that, download and install the best-recommended version for this software. Next, run it to detect virus attacks and eliminate them.

Also, make sure that the Windows Defender is turned off while the third-party application is running. 

Solution 2- Update Windows 10

Update Windows 10

To update the Windows 10 to its newest version, first, type ‘Windows Update’ in the search bar and open the corresponding application.

Then, select the “Check for Updates” button. Once the manual updating process is completed, navigate to the Windows Update and click on the ‘Troubleshoot’ menu that might locate on the left side.

Now, the Windows Update will start to check for problems associated with svchost.exe or Service Host. Thereafter, follow the online instructions to complete the troubleshooting procedure.

Solution 3- Use the SFC Tool

Use the SFC Tool

The inbuilt SFC tool is designed to automatically repair corrupted system files on your device.  To implement the solution, here are the steps that need to be followed.

Step 1

At first, press and hold the Windows and X keys together on the keyboard. From the menu that appears on the display, select the ‘Windows PowerShell ( Admin)’.

In case, the system asks whether you want to allow the app to make changes, select ‘Yes’. 

Step 2

In the PowerShell window, enter ‘sfc/scannow’ and hit the Enter key. Wait till the completion of the scanning procedure.

Once done, type ‘RepairWindowsImage-Restore Health’ in the new window. 

Step 3

Afterward, proceed to the Start icon and click on the Power menu. Thereafter, click on the Restart button. Check if the error has been resolved with the Service Host.

If the error still persists, then move to the next solution.

Solution 4- Empty the Event Viewer Log

Empty the Event Viewer Log

To clear the Event viewer’s log, at first, launch the Run dialog box. For that, simultaneously press the Windows and R keys together.

Within the Run command box,  type ‘eventvwr’ and hit the Enter key. Then, double-click on the Event viewer to expand the Windows Logs. Under the Windows Logs, right-click on the Application and select “Clear Log”.

Repeat the same process and clear the Security, Setup and System Log. Thereafter, reboot your computer.

Solution 5- Remove the Unused App

Remove the Unused App

Are you still dealing with the svchost.exe high CPU issue? If yes, here is another effective solution for you. 

Occasionally, due to running unused applications, you might experience certain glitches in the Service Host. Therefore,  you need to uninstall unused applications. 

But, before applying this solution, keep a backup of your device. Then open Control Panel by using the Start menu. In the Control Panel window, click on the “Uninstall a Program” option.

All the installed applications will now pop up on the screen. Here, select all the unused programs and after that, click on the ‘Uninstall’ button located at the top of the list.

Restart the computer and check if the error has been resolved or not.

Solution 6- Run the CHKDSK Command

Run the CHKDSK Command

To run the inbuilt CHKDSK command, first, type ‘ Command Prompt’ into the Start menu and hit the Enter key. Now, right-click on the Command Prompt and select ‘Run as administrator’. 

In the Command Prompt, type ‘ chkdsk c: /r’. 

Note: ‘C:’ is the name of the drive that you want to change. Hence, you might have to change the letter with a different one.

Next, press the Enter key. Click on ‘Y’ to restart the computer and after that, hit the Enter key.

Now, if any error is found, Windows will automatically repair it.

Solution 7- Turn off the BITS Service

Turn off the BITS Service

If you are still dealing with the error, then disable the BITS service to fix the issue. Here is how to do so.

Step 1

At first, launch the Run dialog box and enter ‘ services.msc’ in the input field. Click on OK to open the Services window.

In this window, scroll down until you see the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. After that, double-click on it.

Step 2

On the next window, click on the drop-down menu next to the ‘Startup type’ and click on the “Disable” button. 

Next, click on “Apply” followed by “OK”. Reboot your machine and the host CPU usage should return to normal. 

However, if not, then you have to repeat the above steps to enable the BITS process to run automatically before proceeding to the next method.

Solution 8- Disable Certain svchost.exe Services

Disable Certain svchost.exe Services

To disable the faulty ‘svchost.exe’ and resolve the High CPU problem, have a glance at the following steps.

Step 1

First, right-click on the Taskbar located at the bottom of the PC desktop, after that, select the Task Manager.

Inside Task Manager, click on Details and right-click on the ‘svchost.exe’ process. After that, click on the “Go to Service (s)” button.

Step 2

A new window with highlight services that run under the ‘svchost.exe’ process on the screen. 

Now, right-click on the processes due to which Service Host is consuming most CPU resources. Then select “Stop” to end the service. 

Step 3

Repeat those steps until you see the faulty service. Next, click on the “Open Services” button and move to the Services window.

Right-click on the problematic service and select “Properties”. After that, change the “Setup type” to disable and restart the system.

Check the error status and move to the next solution if it remains the same.

Solution 9- Fix Windows Update Issues

Fix Windows Update Issues

If something happens wrong with the Windows settings, then you might experience the issue. To resolve it, open the Run dialog box.

Then, enter ‘services.msc’ in the input field and hit Enter. In the next window, search for the Windows Update service. Once found, right-click on it and choose “Stop”.

Go to the ‘C: Windows’ folder and remove the ‘Software Distribution Folder’. Reboot the computer and hope this time the issue will be resolved.

All the above solutions are totally based on how customers resolve the Service Host usage issue. We hope by applying the above fixing techniques, you can fix the issue within a flicker of time.

Maria Colombo
Maria Colombo
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