Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

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

- Collapse -
Not all 'software' problems are as they seem
Apr 24, 2009 5:39PM PDT

I had a similar problem with my Dell laptop, running Windows Vista 32. It runs all day in a dock (I am a self employed graphic designer), sometimes 7 days a week, and one of my worries about using a laptop all day (as opposed to a desktop with more space for cooling) was that it would overheat. Anyway, Dell guaranteed it, with 3 years full warranty so I went with it. I have been running it for almost 2 years and until last autumn never had a problem, when suddenly it would have the same symptoms as described of 100 percent CPU usage.

I went through hours of trying to sort the problem, my IT support couldn't fix it, Dell couldn't fix it - everybody pointed at somebody else, so I would basically work with the machine until it happened (usually after a few hours running) when I would then leave it for 20 minutes to sort itself out - basically, I had to live with it.

Then one day, for the first time with much maligned Vista, I had a blue screen! It happened a couple of times over the next few days and Dell support talked me through the problem, coming to the conclusion I needed a new motherboard. They duly arrived, replaced the motherboard, and then, whilst doing this, the engineer looked in the fan cooling area. It was blocked. When he blew it through, a great cloud of dust came out, and he suggested the problem was purely down to overheating. Remember, this was only to fix by blue screen - nothing to do with the SVC host.

Whatever - the machine has run fine since, and the SVC host problem has gone away. I'm not sure that there is a connection, and I'm sure many learned people will say there is none, but the SVC host problem only arrived when the machine had been on for a few hours and was 'hot'. I am not a techie, but I have used a computer long enough to know that the problem it flags up is very often not the problem at all.

In this case, it seems overheating was the problem.

- Collapse -
svchost.exe running high CPU
Apr 24, 2009 6:40PM PDT

I disagree this is almost always caused by a Virus or Trojan, although it can be.

1st step is to identify what service is causing the high cpu. svchost.exe is used to host multiple services (basically a service is a program that can run when the computer starts up automatically, even if nobody is logged in)

So just having svchost.exe at a high CPU is not really enough information.

1. You will need to right click the taskbar at bottom of the screen and open task manager

2. In Task Manager Click the 'Processes' tab

3. Ensure 'Show processes from all users' is selected (you must be logged on with local administrator access)

4. Find the offending SVCHOST.exe, right click and choose Go To Service(s)

5. This should highlight the service that is causing the problem. In some cases this service may be stopped/disabled, but it may cause something to not work. You can click 'Services' at the bottom to then go into the configuration where services can be disabled/stopped etc. However you should try to gain some understanding of what the impact is before stopping a service.

6. If that is not helping you find the cause you may need to use more advanced troubleshooting tools such as

Process Monitor
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

(this will tell you all network/file/registry activity the offending service is doing which may be a clue to the poor performance)

Process Explorer (task manager on steroids)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

Process Explorer will also help you verify that the svchost.exe process that is running on high cpu is signed by Microsoft. This file should be signed by Microsoft, if not it is likely a virus/trojan.

Both these tools are quite advanced, a great video that explains its use by the person who developed the tools is available here (requires silverlight)

http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/sessionh.aspx?videoid=722

- Collapse -
I solved my problem.
Apr 24, 2009 9:26PM PDT

I dont know if this is the only "infected" file. But if you use Task Manager, sometimes you can see a file appearing and disapearing. It calls ati2evxx.exe and it is and ATI file. I just removed the places in Registry Editor where the file appears and everything seems ok.
Its not easy to remove the file "by hand" in the computer.
It work in my new ASUS and in Sony Vaio.
It might work it you too.

- Collapse -
Dial-A-fix
Apr 25, 2009 1:40AM PDT

Using Process Explorer, identify the instance of svchost that is 100%. Run the mouse pointer over the svchost entry and see what the underlying services are. If there is nothing shown, it's a trojan/virus. If it shows some listings (such as DCOM Server Process, Remote Procedure Call, etc.), these are legitimate Windows services. Then go into Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services and disable each of the services (the ones related to the 100% usage) one at a time to see which one is causing the 100%. For me, it was the Windows update service. Remember to re-activate the services that did not cause the problem.

I had to download a program called Dial-a-Fix which is awesome. It fixed my problems in 20 seconds flat by clearing out all my old downloaded updates and log and fixed it.

- Collapse -
Because of Windows Update
Apr 25, 2009 7:25AM PDT

After every boot, for a period of minutes, svchost.exe ran my cpu at 100%. I disabled the automatic Windows Updates and the problem went away. I now manually do the Windows Updates. XP Pro SP3

- Collapse -
may be conficker
Apr 26, 2009 12:51AM PDT

try to go to microsoft updates.if you can't its conficker.from clean computer go to f-secure download file and run it on infected pc.works like a charm.good luck

- Collapse -
100 percent CPU usage caused by SVCHOST process, need help
Apr 27, 2009 1:32AM PDT

Sorry if this has already been posted but, Disable the ATI HDMI Audio is Device Manager and see if the CPU takes a break. There have been numerous posts on the Internet over the last two years about ATI drivers and high CPU useage, so there may be a better solution by now.

HTH

JeffPGMT...

- Collapse -
Everyone should read this partial solution
Apr 27, 2009 3:08AM PDT

This website - to which I have NO connection - offers a great utility for identifying processes. Get the program and run it you'll be glad you did.
http://www.processlibrary.com
It helps identify what the cpu is running, what it does, who its from, is it safe to terminate.
SVhosts are a real problem, and multiple instances are problematic and can't really be solved, but this program is a wonderful must-have for everyone.
promytius1

- Collapse -
100 percent CPU usage
Apr 28, 2009 8:07PM PDT

Sir,
I have Intel Processor 2.4 Ghz Pentium-IV computer (Windows XP Professional) and having RAM 512 MB. When I boot up my computer its boot up normally but when I try to collect the big data even 250 MB it became very slow and CPU usage generally 100 percent and sometime 50 to 70 percent.When it is idle then 20 t0 30 percent. What is the cause. I have updated Symantec antivirus and Malwarebytes malware programme.

- Collapse -
Much good advice here...
May 29, 2009 8:20PM PDT

In addition to the great advice and solutions already submitted, I humbly offer an easy and helpful addition to them.

Once you have identified the SVChosts files that are most necessary,the ones you do not want to or can not disable,and you find that placeing them in manual mode has you constantly opening services admin,to start and stop them ( your printer server host/pooler, or cd burner app., for example) you can right click that process in task manager and lower the priorty of that task to below normal. This will cause a bit of slowing to start the service, but also "trains" it to take second place to the important services,like your virus protection, browser app., music stream, download or what ever is the main thing your working on. Hope this helps. Happy

- Collapse -
I fixed it
Jun 14, 2010 4:00PM PDT

I fixed the problem using some of the answers given the past year. I also finally traded the laptop in for a new laptop running W7. I also placed "Process Explorer" on the new laptop. That is a true time saver.

Thank you to all who took the time to respond.
Frank

- Collapse -
It might be time for a reformat and re-installation
Jun 19, 2010 2:15AM PDT

I've have this before and it seemed to be either a virus or trajan.

i spent days trying to get rid of it, and eventally I ended up reformatting the drive, and voila, its all works again..

It might not be the news you want to hear, but it might be the cure you need..

Hope this helps

B.

- Collapse -
cpu overload/max
May 17, 2013 7:36AM PDT

Hi, 05-17-2013
By now you have resolved your issue, but for those who read this post:
I tried a lot of stuff to kill this problem up to and including a total recovery (twice). The problem came back. I found out that it was lodged in the Rootkit and Bootkit. That is why a recovery will not always fix a virus. I downloaded a free item called TDSSKiller. It is by Kaspersky Lab and in less than 5 mins. my computer went back to normal. The website below has it and it is free. I downloaded the EXE version.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/tdsskiller/

Make sure that you down load the right item here. As with most sites there is an add above the item you need.
Not a complaint, it's how business is done.
Hope this saves a lot of people a lot of time. I spent 6 days off and on.