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General discussion

100 percent CPU usage caused by SVCHOST process, need help

Apr 17, 2009 7:24AM PDT
Question:

Hi, I am most frustrated by a process that takes the CPU to 100 percent use and then lets it drop back to about 50 percent every couple of seconds, which seems to run while my Vista 32BIT computer is idle with no programs actually running other than Windows. The usage report shows the offending "thing" to be "svchost," whatever that is-?but it can hog up to 78 percent of the CPU, making everything else run like it was an old 286! Can you please tell me what this process is? Is it something I can disable? How I can fix this very frustrating problem! Thank you.

Submitted by: James T.

Here are some featured member answers and link to articles to get you started, but
please read all the advice and suggestions that our
members have contributed to this question.

Possible Solution on 100 Percent CPU Utilization --Submitted by gwiljr
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3028420#3028420

100 percent CPU usage caused by SVCHOST process --Submitted by callmebond
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3027123#3027123

Check your system thoroughly for viruses and adware --Submitted by darrenforster99
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3027183#3027183

Here's the solution --Submitted by chazzsubscribe
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3027032#3027032

What is svchost.exe and why is it running?
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/what-is-svchostexe-and-why-is-it-running/

Stop svchost.exe from stealing CPU cycles
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-9865052-12.html

Read all member contributions to this topic
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3026704


If you have any additional advice for James, please click on the reply link and post it. Please be as detailed as possible in your answer. Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Scan with NOD 32
Apr 24, 2009 10:25PM PDT

Now that's good advice !

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Use the resources available to you
Apr 17, 2009 8:48PM PDT

Hello,

A simple search for "svchost" will yield results such as http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314056

The Svchost.exe file is located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder. At startup, Svchost.exe checks the services part of the registry to construct a list of services that it must load. Multiple instances of Svchost.exe can run at the same time. Each Svchost.exe session can contain a grouping of services. Therefore, separate services can run, depending on how and where Svchost.exe is started. This grouping of services allows for better control and easier debugging.

Conclusion;
I would say it's a poorly written piece of software, or some form of malware. Download MalwareBytes and run a "Full Scan" of your pc.

You can also download "Process Explorer" to help you identify which service and it's dll's are eating up your cpu cycles.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

Good luck!

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100 percent CPU usage caused by SVCHOST process, need help
Apr 17, 2009 9:38PM PDT

I have had this happen before and discovered that I could end the process in task manager, but after awhile this got to be a burden, I discovered that during a scan I had a trojan that was the culprit and after I fixed that I have been pretty much problem free.

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svchost
Apr 17, 2009 10:06PM PDT

SVCHOST, or service host is just a host. Any number of programmes could be behind it.
The biggest cause for problems you describe is the Nero File management program, which can be removed with no detriment to the running of Nero.

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check events log for bad blocks on your disk
Apr 17, 2009 10:23PM PDT

Sometimes when my computer is "thrashing" (running multiple things like svchost) it is the result of a bad block or two on my disk. I run chkdsk (right click on the disk icon from "My Computer", choose "Properties", then the "Tools" tab, then "Check Now". Select both options. You have to restart for chkdsk to run.)

You can check for disk errors using "Events Log".

It's a good idea to do the disk check from time-to-time anyhow.

Good luck.

Scott

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Use Antiviruses
Apr 17, 2009 10:25PM PDT

Hi James,

This problem is caused by trojans and spywares. The best way to get rid of this problem is to reinstall the OS and immediately after installing OS, install an antivirus which checks for the trojans before the loading of the windows, thats a console based antivirus. The best one is AVASTA. Its available free on www.avasta.com.

Hope that this antivirus will help you.

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internet explorer
Apr 17, 2009 10:54PM PDT

Hi I bought a new computer ACER ASPIRE M5201, Vista, my provider is Tiscali.
Each time I use the computer, It keeps coming up with internet explorer will not respond and has to shut down and restart, then it may let me view and send a few emails and then I have to do the same, it's a real pain.
Any help would be appreciated, Thanks Kim.

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try this
Apr 18, 2009 9:57AM PDT
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SVChost.exe....
Apr 17, 2009 10:58PM PDT

Hi James; svchost is a generic host process that's used by all programs & apps on XP, so there may be several instances of it present on the taskman list at any one time.
One of the prime culprits of this sort of thing is the presence of updaters that have put themselves on the startup list, when installed, without your knowlege.
Adobe is one of the chief suspects here, followed closely by AV & AS programs, most of which are set to auto-update by default unless you physically go into their properties and set the updater to 'manual'.
It may be a bit of a pain to go through them all, but it's the only way you're going to stop this sort of thing happening.
All the best,
JB.

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Toredo
Apr 17, 2009 11:41PM PDT

In services, make sure Toredo is not present or turned off. If Toredo is present, it is making calls to a Windows 64 server at Microsoft.

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Say hello to Norton Systems choking your system
Apr 18, 2009 12:51AM PDT

Especially Norton 360!!

It's almost as bad a cycle hog as Vista.

If you have a hardware firewall and a decent plain antivirus program, dumping the software firewall (and all the other junk that comes with 360) will save you a bunch of resources.

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What it is, and how to disable
Apr 18, 2009 1:05AM PDT
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Rare MS update issue
Apr 18, 2009 1:22AM PDT
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Svchost Process
Apr 18, 2009 1:58AM PDT

The simplest, easiest way in the world for James to understand "svchost" is to google it and click on "how to geek.com - what is svchost.exe and why is it running". The Geek explains what and why very clearly, and also gives tips on how to minimize usage if needed. Great site - try it, James. (No, I am in no way associated with this site, but I love it for questions like these)

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This might help you, try !
Apr 18, 2009 3:31AM PDT

You can review all the processes running into your system. So, go to control panel, administrative tools, services. Here you can disable all the services that you do not need according to the tasks you do with your PC. You must know what every service does in order to you disable it. If you don?t, search for information on the net, with google.
You can also, set in manual mode the service if you think that you will need it sometimes. If so, you can start it. The services in this mode do not use CPU while you do not use the programs that they require them.
Only allow run in mode automatic and started all the services that you require every time you work with your PC. If some day, something does not work, remember take a look with the services in order to you enable the respective service.
The point is that your operating system when starts up, just run the basic services in mode automatic or manual that it needs in order to it works for your needs.
You should see that CPU percentage goes down and your problem will not exist. Good luck.
P.S. I forgot to tell you, my operating system is Windows PRO XP SP 2, but Vista is the almost the same cat with another skin.
When you are idle, go to: http://download.cnet.com/Process-Tamer/3000-2094_4-10433612.html

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Svchostviewer program
Apr 18, 2009 3:56AM PDT

I hope this tiny program will help you, it describes all data related with svchot services and even display if the service cam be paused or stopped.
The link is http://svchostviewer.codeplex.com/

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100% CPU Usaage Caused by SVCHOST process
Apr 18, 2009 6:22AM PDT
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What is SVCHost and why is it running
Apr 18, 2009 6:23AM PDT
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VIRUS
Apr 18, 2009 6:52AM PDT

Hi
I had the same problem some time ago on my XP machine.
It happen to be a VIRUS, a spy, worm or similar.
do run the BEST anti virus, anti mail... you can find.
(I purchased ESET)
2 weeks ago, on a slow PC, with a 2Ghz dual core CPU, 3GB of RAM, which could not play audio files... I found about 75(!!!!) visuses .

Good Luc.
Eli,
PIE Multimedia.

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100 percent CPU usage caused by SVCHOST process, need help
Apr 18, 2009 7:20AM PDT

Lee, I have the same problem with this at times. If someone can help please email me at mmouse53a@msn.com Thanks a bunch everyone.

ORIGINAL QUESTION: Hi, I am most frustrated by a process that takes the CPU to 100 percent use and then lets it drop back to about 50 percent every couple of seconds, which seems to run while my Vista 32BIT computer is idle with no programs actually running other than Windows. The usage report shows the offending "thing" to be "svchost," whatever that is-?but it can hog up to 78 percent of the CPU, making everything else run like it was an old 286! Can you please tell me what this process is? Is it something I can disable? How I can fix this very frustrating problem! Thank you.

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Non tech answer
Apr 18, 2009 7:24AM PDT

Processors or CPU's can't sit around do nothing, or more precisely, when in use you can't selectively have some of the processor busy and the rest sitting idle waiting on you pressing the return key. svchost is a dummy application which keeps the idle bits of the cpu ticking over whilst it awaits the moment to real work. Obviously there's a fair amount of complexity going on in switching all this stuff around, but view svchost as a good thing (or a necessary eveil).

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svchost
Apr 18, 2009 7:53AM PDT

Obtain the program Process Explorer. It lists all working processes and you can arrange columns by increasing CPU usage, cycles, memory used, etc. When you detect the high CPU usage, quickly run Process Explorer, arrange by CPU usage and do a mouse-over of the offending svchost. That should tell you what svchost is, itself, running. The worst offender on my Vista PC is Windows Defender which I do have scheduled to run at noon every day.

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Try to disable your Windows Update
Apr 24, 2009 6:17PM PDT

Sorry I can't open all threats Happy, probably it has been solved.

I ever experienced the same case, and it's solved by simply disabling the automatic windows update.

Enabling or Disabling Automatic Windows Update
==============================================
Depending on your settings, Windows XP/Vista may routinely activate the Windows Update feature to scan for and download updates to Windows XP automatically. If you have a fast Internet connection, and usually don't remember to check for updates yourself, you'll probably want this feature turned on. However, if you already check for updates, and would rather not have your work interrupted, you'll probably want to disable automatic updating.

* To control or disable automatic updating, open the System icon in Control Panel (or right-click My Computer and select Properties), and choose the Automatic Updates tab.

* To check for updates manually, open Internet Explorer and select Windows Update from the Tools menu.

Note: even if you have enabled full automatic updating, Windows XP may only install critical updates. It's a good idea to check with Windows Update manually to make sure the updates you want are installed.

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Iobit Smart Ram
Apr 24, 2009 10:24PM PDT

I had high mem usage with Firefox but tweaked it. Iobit Smart Ram let's me deep clean memory and automatically regulated mem usage. I'm at a %14 usage rate on average depending on what I'm doing on a HP DV1000

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100 percent CPU usage caused by SVCHOST process, need help
Apr 18, 2009 8:04AM PDT

Sorry, not an answer, just that I am having the exact problem, but I use Windows XP. All this occured after I accepted the upgrade to Windows Live. Now I do not even have the possibility of removing that programme and the computer can only be turned off using the "end now" programme. Looking forward to receiving the solution.
CC

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I don't have the answer
Apr 18, 2009 2:04PM PDT

I do experience the same problem and its very very frustrating...someone out thera please help us..

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SVCHOST process
Apr 18, 2009 9:15PM PDT
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100 percent CPU usage caused by SVCHOST process, need help
Apr 18, 2009 11:43PM PDT

Hi.... I had a similar problem with cpu showing 100% usage despite not having any file open. It seems the culprit was Nero 8 which had just recenbtly been installed on my computer so I uninstalled it and bingo, all now seems to be well. Regards DS

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Re: 100 percent CPU usage caused by SVCHOST process, need he
Apr 19, 2009 3:03AM PDT

It seems I have the same problem. Helpers in the malware forums at Msoft and Castle Cops after analysis could only recommend 1) reformat my hard drive or 2) buy a new computer. BTW, neither Windows Task Manager nor What's Running can identify the culprit making svchost use up CPU time. When my modem is off, the CPU spikes to 20% every 25 seconds. Modem on, spikes to 60% every 5 seconds. Connected via DSL, 60-100% every 5 seconds. I think clearly malware. I have McAfee suite always updated which did not prevent this.

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Reply to previous post
Apr 19, 2009 3:28AM PDT

Forgot to mention that my operating system is XP Home SP3.