WMI Provider Host high high CPU usage and constant errors in Event log

Question

I have an Inspiron 3737 Laptop running latest W10 version 21H2 and have experienced problems with the CPU constantly running at 100% for some time, with the 'WMI Provider Host' process taking up to 45% CPU. This makes everything run dead slow. When I look at the 'Windows\WMI-Activity->Operational' Event Log I see pairs of warnings and errors occurring twice every SECOND. This looks quite bad. Warning: Namespace = root\wmi; NotificationQuery = select * from biosevent; UserName = XXXXXXXXX\xxxxxx; ClientProcessID = 15852, ClientMachine = XXXXXXXXXX; PossibleCause = Temporary Error: Id = {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}; ClientMachine = XXXXXXXX; User = XXXXXXXX\xxxxxx; ClientProcessId = 15852; Component = Unknown; Operation = Start IWbemServices::ExecNotificationQuery - root\wmi : select * from biosevent; ResultCode = 0x80041032; PossibleCause = Unknown I think the process ID referred to is the Dell Quick Set process. I am reasonably 'technical' and I have spent a lot of time searching the internet about this issue and seen similar issues in the Dell Community, but nothing exactly the same. Certainly not Garmin Express as reported  by Saintsfc76 in a 2020 post on this discussion. To summarise it appears the WMI Provider Host should normally have a low CPU impact but is being affected by another process(s). If I go into Services.msc and restart the WMI Provider Host it reports that 4 other services are affected and also need to be restarted: IP Helper, Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology: Dell Data Vault Service API & Dell Data Vault Collector. I have had some success with restarting WMI Provider Host and killing some of the Dell processes like Quick Set, Data Vault etc. At the moment my CPU seems to be running more normally but I cannot stop the WMI errors occurring. I am suspicious that a Dell process is to blame.  Can anyone help me to understand his issue better? I would really like to stop the repeated WMI Provider Host errors on the assumption that this was the root cause of the high CPU state. Martin P.S. I know my machine is 8 years old but I have looked after it and kept all my software up to date. Unfortunately it is not compatible with Windows 11 (shame on Microsoft) so the clock is ticking but I don't want to give up on it just yet. It has a 17' screen and those models are pricey.

Arthur_Bernardes · Answer

I've been having the same issue with a Alienware X15 R1. They have just replaced my heatsink and fans, because the CPU was being used so much my fans would go crazy, but the problem won't go away. I wish i could solve the problem without having to restart the WMI every single time I turn on the laptop

Martin839 · Answer

Since I posted this last September I got a serious error on my laptop and had to reinstall Windows 10 (machine not compatible with W11 unfortunately). After this the problem with WMI and running at 100% CPU disappeared. Also I have now purchased a 24' All-In-One with 16MB RAM and Windows 11 so my old laptop is out of use. I still have a 15' Dell laptop which I keep as a spare and thankfully it has not developed WMI problems (yet!) It is a pain, but reinstalling Windows is the last resort if all else fails. You will loose all your apps, but data can be retained, although backing it up first is advisable. It wasn't too traumatic doing the reinstall and it helpfully saved a list of all installed applications with version information before they were lost. Good luck

Labano · Answer

The solutions you have provided are ridiculous. All the computers you have produced are chronic. I will never buy another Dell product again. They gave me a worn-out computer and it has such a stupid problem. If it is not difficult, I will do it. I cannot turn on the performance mode of the computer. What is the point?

ItsSonnyInIT · Answer

You can also kill 'awperformance.scsubagent' in task manager. That will stop it.

XPS

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