- High CPU usage can generally lead to a shortened lifespan of the CPU, as well as an overall laggy PC.
- The article below will show you how to handle high CPU usage caused by the System Host: Local Service feature.
- To read more about similar CPU-related issues, check out our dedicated CPU Hub.
- To read more about generic WIndows 10 issues, visit our Windows 10 Errors page.
Some Windows users are complaining that their CPU usage is high, without any particular reason. It can be that Service Host: Local Service (Network Restricted) is causing high CPU usage.
The problem shows up whenever the computer wakes up from sleep, or even during regular work sometimes. If you’re facing the similar issue, you’re going to find a solution in this post.
Common Service Host Local System errors
Problems with high CPU usage can drastically impact your performance, and users reported the following issues as well:
- Service Host Local System high disk usage, network usage, memory usage
- Many users reported other problems with this service. According to them, Service Host Local can also cause high disk and memory usage.
- Service Host Local System taking up resources
- This is another common problem that can occur with this service, and many users reported that Service Host Local System is taking up various resources.
- Service Host Local System slow
- Another problem that can occur due to this service are various slowdowns. According to users, due to high CPU usage your system might become slow.
- Service Host Local System startup
- Sometimes issues with this service can occur as soon as your system starts. Many users reported that high CPU problems start appearing right after startup.
- Service Host Local System memory leak
- Another problem related to Service Host Local System are memory leaks. Memory leaks can be problematic and they can drastically affect your performance.
- Service Host Local Service virus
- In some cases problems with Service Local Host Service can be caused by virus infections. If you suspect that your PC is infected, be sure to perform a detailed malware scan.
What can I do if Service Host is causing high CPU usage?
[wr_responsive_video_embed url=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAOWg_WVxuQ&feature=youtu.be’]
- Disable Superfetch service
- Run SFC and DISM scan
- Run Windows Update troubleshooter
- End unnecessary HP processes
- Remove problematic applications
- Perform a Clean boot
- Change processor scheduling
- Restart Windows Update service
1. Disable Superfetch service
If you explore Task Manager a little bit, you’ll see that Service Host is causing high CPU usage. This is not relevant to CPU‘s speed or power, because it can happen on any configuration.
Anyway, Service Host: Local Service (Network Restricted) contains a lot of, how would I say, sub-services, and one of these sub-services is causing Service Host: Local Service (Network Restricted) to use CPU to its maximum.
This service is called Superfetch and it’s used to pre-load data from hard disk into RAM memory. So to improve your performance, and get rid of the high CPU usage, you have to disable Superfetch service, and here’s how to do that:
- Go to Search, type services and open Services.
- Find Superfetch service, right click on it and go to Stop.
- Restart your computer.
That’s all, after disabling Superfetch service, your CPU usage should get back to normal and you’ll be able to continue with work on your computer without any problems.
Although Microsoft says that Superfetch service improves computers’ performance over time, in practice, it’s actually the opposite.
Many users complained that this service keeps performance-optimized only when the system is newly installed, but after some time, it actually decreases its performance.
Also, Superfetch services runs on very low priority, so it should not affect other IO activities, because normal IO activities run at high priority.
Several users reported that they fixed the problem simply by disabling Windows Update and Event Log service, so you might want to try that as well.
2. Run SFC and DISM scan
If Service Host is causing high CPU usage, that can sometimes be due to file corruption. Your system files can get corrupted, and if that happens, you can repair them by running an SFC scan. To do that, follow these steps:
- Press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu. Select Command Prompt (Admin) from the list. If Command Prompt isn’t available, select PowerShell (Admin) instead.
- When Command Prompt opens, enter sfc /scannow and press Enter to run it.
- SFC scan will now start. This process can take about 10 minutes, so don’t interrupt it.
scannow command has stopped before the process finished? Don’t worry, we’ve got an easy fix for you.
After the SFC scan is finished, check if the problem is resolved. If the issue still persists, or if you couldn’t run SFC scan at all, you’ll need to use DISM scan instead. To do that, follow these steps:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- When Command Prompt starts, enter DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
- DISM scan will now start. This process can take 15-20 minutes so be sure not to interrupt it.
After the DISM scan is finished, check if the problem still persists. If you were unable to run SFC scan before, be sure to try running it now. After both scans are completed, the problem should be completely resolved.
If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, then you better take a closer look at this guide.
It seems that everything is lost when DISM fails on Windows? Check out this quick guide and get rid of the worries.
3. Run Windows Update troubleshooter
According to users, you might be able to fix this problem simply by running Windows Update troubleshooter.
If Service Host is causing high CPU usage, the problem can be related to Windows Update, and running the troubleshooter should fix it. To do that, follow these steps:
- Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
- When Settings app opens, navigate to Update & security.
- In the left panel, navigate to Troubleshoot section. Select Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.
- Wait while the troubleshooter scans your system and checks for problems.
If you’re having trouble opening the Setting app, take a look at this article to solve the issue.
The troubleshooter fails to load with an error? Follow this useful guide and fix it.
You can also run the troubleshooter by following these steps:
- Press Windows Key + S and enter control panel. Select Control Panel from the list.
- When Control Panel opens, go to Troubleshooting.
- Click on View all in the menu on the left.
- Click on Windows Update.
- When Windows Update window opens, click on Advanced and click on Run as administrator. Now click on Next and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.
Both methods will check Windows Update and fix any potential problems. After the troubleshoot is finished, check if the problem still appears.
You can’t open Control Panel? Take a look at this step-by-step guide to find a solution.
If the Troubleshooter stops before completing the process, fix it with the help of this guide.
4. End unnecessary HP processes
When Service Host is causing high CPU usage, the cause might be related to HP processes that are running in the background. To fix the problem, you need to end the HP processes from Task Manager by doing the following:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- When Task Manager opens, look for any HP processes. Users reported that HP Help process was causing this problem on their PC, but other processes can cause this issue as well. If you see any HP processes, right click them and choose End Task from the menu.
- After ending all HP processes, check if the problem still persists.
If disabling the HP processes fixes the problem, you might have to repeat this solution whenever this issue appears. If you want a permanent solution, you’ll have to find the HP applications related to those processes and uninstall them.
Most users have no idea how to deal with a slow Task Manager. Don’t be one of them and read this quick guide to learn how to make it faster!
Windows won’t end a task in Task Manager? Count on us to solve the problem.
5. Remove problematic applications
If Service Host is causing high CPU usage, the problem might be related to third-party software. According to users, it seems that the problem was caused by Dragon Naturally Speaking software.
To fix the problem, users are suggesting to completely remove this application from your PC. If you’re using Dragon Naturally Speaking frequently and you don’t want to remove it, be sure to update it to the latest version and check if that solves the problem.
Another application that can cause this problem to appear is MSI Command Center. Many users reported that removing this application fixed the problem on their PC, so be sure to do that.
Several users reported that the issue was caused by a Chrome VPN extension, so if you installed any new extensions recently, be sure to remove them and check if that solves the problem.
Want to completely remove apps and programs from your PC? Use these amazing uninstallers.
6. Perform a Clean boot
As we already mentioned, sometimes third-party applications and services can cause this problem to appear. If Service Host is causing high CPU usage on your PC, it’s recommended to perform a Clean boot in order to find the application that is causing it.
To do that, follow these steps:
- Press Windows Key + R and enter msconfig. Press Enter or click OK.
- Go to the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services option. Now click on Disable all button.
- Navigate to Startup section and click on Open Task Manager.
- List of all startup applications will now appear. Right click the first entry on the list and choose Disable. Now repeat this step for all entries on the list. After disabling all startup items, close Task Manager.
- In System Configuration window click Apply and OK to save changes. Restart your PC to apply the changes.
After your PC restarts, check if the problem still appears. If not, it means that one of the disabled applications or services was causing this issue.
To find out which application is the cause, enable apps and services one by one or in groups until you find the one that is causing the problem. After you find it, you can keep it disabled, remove it or reinstall it and check if that solves the problem.
If you want to know how to add or remove startup apps on Windows 10, check out this simple guide.
Can’t open Task Manager? Don’t worry, we’ve got the right solution for you.
7. Change processor scheduling
According to users, if Service Host is causing high CPU usage you might be able to fix the problem by changing processor scheduling. This is relatively simple, and you can do it by following these steps:
- Press Windows Key + S and enter advanced. Choose View advanced system settings.
- When System Properties window opens, in Performance section click on Settings button.
- Go to Advanced tab and set Adjust for best performance of Programs. Now click on Apply and OK to save changes.
After making the changes, the problems with high CPU usage should be resolved completely.
8. Restart Windows Update service
If Service Host is causing high CPU usage, you might be able to fix the problem simply by restarting Windows Update service. To do that, follow these steps:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Now run the following commands:
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop bits
- Minimize Command Prompt.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to
C:/Windows/SoftwareDistributiondirectory. Delete all files from SoftwareDistribution folder. - Now go back to Command Prompt and run the following commands:
- net start wuauserv
- net start bits
After doing that the problem should be completely resolved.
Windows can’t connect to the update service? Simply follow this handy guide.
Service Host and high CPU usage can cause many problems, but we hope that you managed to solve this problem by using one of our solutions.
For more suggestions or questions, reach for the comments section below.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2019 and has been since revamped and updated in July 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
Was this page helpful?
Get the most from your tech with our daily tips
and
If you are looking for a cheap and genuine microsoft product key, warranty for 1 year.
It will be available at the link: https://officerambo.com/shop/
Microsoft Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro : https://officerambo.com/product/windows-embedded-8-1/
Key Windows 7 Professional / Home Base / Home Premium (2 USER) : https://officerambo.com/product/key-windows-7/
Microsoft Windows 8.1 PRO (2 PC) : https://officerambo.com/product/microsoft-windows-8-1-pro/
Windows Server 2012 R2 : https://officerambo.com/product/windows-server-2012-r2/
Visual Studio Enterprise 2019 : https://officerambo.com/product/visual-studio-enterprise-2019/
Windows Server Standard / Datacenter / Essentials : https://officerambo.com/product/windows-server-all-version-standard-datacenter-essentials/
Microsoft Office Professional Plus for Windows : https://officerambo.com/product/microsoft-office-professional-plus-for-windows/
Microsoft Office Home and Student for Windows : https://officerambo.com/product/microsoft-office-home-and-student/
Key Microsoft Access 2016 : https://officerambo.com/product/key-microsoft-access-2016/
Microsoft Visio Professional : https://officerambo.com/product/microsoft-visio-professional/
Microsoft Project Professional : https://officerambo.com/product/microsoft-project-professional/
Account Microsoft Office 365 Profestional Plus 2020 Update For 5 Devices : https://officerambo.com/product/account-microsoft-office-365/
Key Microsoft Windows 10 Profestional / Profestional N : https://officerambo.com/product/key-microsoft-windows-10/
Key Microsoft Windows XP Pro : https://officerambo.com/product/key-microsoft-windows-xp-pro/
Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac : https://officerambo.com/product/microsoft-office-home-and-business-for-mac/
No comments:
Post a Comment