What is Svchost.exe and Why is it causing Service Host High CPU Usage? [2023 Fix]

When you open your Task Manager, you see that a Svchost.exe is running on multiple events together. What is this Svchost.exe? It is a Service Host process from Microsoft running on your Windows Operating System. It is responsible for the critical services always running on your Windows.

However, the issue is that the Service Host is causing High CPU Usage, as seen on the Task Manager CPU/RAM usage above 90 percent. Is it something specific in your case? No, the Svchost.exe running and causing High CPU Usage is not rare at all, as users have it daily.

On the other side, there are some methods you can use to fix the Svchost.exe causing High CPU Usage on your Windows PC. Sometimes the Antimalware Service Executable causes High CPU and RAM Usage as well.

What is the purpose of Svchost.exe?

As we mentioned, Svchost.exe is a Service Host responsible for running critical programs on your Windows. It was first introduced way back in the era of Windows 7 but kept with the Operating System til the latest version of Windows 11, as well as Windows 10.

Developers by none other than Microsoft, who are makers of Windows OS, and located in the C>Windows>System32, running as a load service for your system DLL Files.

Why is Svchost.exe using 90 percent CPU and RAM?

There are times when the Windows Operating System has trouble handling the services of your system. Therefore, it will take help from the Svchost.exe to manage those, resulting in your system using more RAM, GPU, and CPU power, ultimately running over 90 percent utilization of resources.

Why are multiple Svchost.exe services running?

In the previous Windows, Svchost.exe used to run differently for each service it was managing, resulting in your seeing multiple Svchost.exe services running. But, later on, in the latest version of Windows 10 or 11, they managed that to be only one Svchost.exe. It doesn’t matter whether you have 10 to 15 Svchost.exe running altogether or there is only one that is using all the resources.

What is Svchost.exe and Why is it causing Service Host High CPU Usage?

Is Svchost.exe safe and not a virus?

Yes, Svchost.exe is completely safe, as it is a legitimate process running through the Microsoft Operating System. As you go into the details, you can find out that the Svchost.exe is signed by the Microsoft Corporation itself.

Yes, the hackers do make the process copy, and mirror it so that Windows doesn’t find it to be a threat, carrying illegal activities. So, there are chances that Svchost.exe might be a virus running on your system.

But, it is highly unlikely, as users can see Microsoft Digitally Signing this program running. You can also check its location by right-clicking and then expanding.

How to check if Svchost.exe is a virus or not?

Open Task Manager (by right-clicking on the taskbar, or CTRL+SHIFT+ESC)
In the tasks, look for Svchost.exe
Check the name on the description
Right Click on the exe
Open File Location
Match it with our: C>Windows>System32

If your Svchost.exe exists in the System 32 folder then it is not a virus and safe to be running on the system.

How to Fix Svchost.exe Service Host High CPU Usage?

There are multiple ways to fix the Service Host High CPU Usage on your Windows. Let’s get started with all of them below.

Windows Update Troubleshooter

When Windows is searching for updates it results in High CPU Usage. To tackle that, you will have to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

Type System in Windows Search
Find Troubleshoot
Click on Run under Windows Update in the Troubleshoot section

Virus and Threat Scan

When Windows finds threats or viruses inside the system but can’t get a hold of them, it results in Service Host High CPU Usage.

Type in Virus in the Windows Search
Open Privacy and Security
Go to Windows Security
Click on Quick Scan under Virus and Threat Protection

Clear Even Viewer Logs

Svchost.exe High CPU Usage is due to the events that are running in the background. How to clear those?

Windows key + R
Type in eventvwr in the Run Dialogue Box
Go to Windows Logs
Right Click Application
Select Clear Log
Do the same for the Security Log, Setup Log, and System Log

Reboot once

Update Windows

Sometimes Svchost.exe starts running and draining your CPU resources because of the update pending in the background.

Type in Update in Windows Search
Press Enter
Check for Updates

Disable BITS Service

Sometimes BITS or Background Intelligent Transfer Service starts using your bandwidth to the extent that it takes away your CPU power.

Windows + R
Type services.msc
Scroll down to BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Double click Services
Go to Properties
Disable under Startup Type
Reboot once

How to fix Svchost.exe causing Service Host High CPU Usage?

Delete the Software Distribution Folder

Windows has all the updates that are downloaded and stored in the Software Distribution Folder. Sometimes it gets corrupted, resulting in the Svchost.exe High CPU Usage.