What is wuauserv
The wuauserv process or Windows Update Service enables the detection, download, and installation of updates for Windows and other programs. If this service is disabled, users of this computer will not be able to use Windows Update or its automatic updating feature, and programs will not be able to use the Windows Update Agent (WUA) API. The path to its executable is C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs. It typically consumes the most CPU resources & memory in svchost.exe, which by itself is normal, but when at times it is known to consume resources abnormally. In such cases, here is what you can try.
Fix wuauserv high CPU usage
1] Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter
Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter. To run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter. Open Run, type the following and hit Enter: Does it help?
2] Run System Performance Troubleshooter
Next, run the System Performance Troubleshooter. To do so, open an elevated Command Prompt, type the following and hit Enter to run the Performance Troubleshooter. This troubleshooter helps the user adjust settings to improve operating system speed and performance.
3] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Run Windows Update Troubleshooter. Windows 10 users can access all TRoubleshooters via the Troubleshooters Page in Settings.
4] Restart Windows Update Service
Run services.msc to open the Windows Services Manager.
Double-click on Windows Update service to open its Properties box. Click on Start. Wait a minute and then click on Start. Click OK and exit. This will restart the Windows Update Service. Check if it solves the problem.
5] Flush SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders
Clear the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder and the Catroot2 folder.
6] Troubleshoot in Clean Boot State
Boot the system in Safe Mode with networking. If the system works fine in Safe Mode, then you may need to perform Clean Boot. You have to follow a different procedure to start Windows 10 in Safe Mode. Once there, select the option to start the system in ‘Safe mode with Networking’. So boot into Clean Boot State and then try and troubleshoot, identify and isolate the offending process manually. Once your work is done, set the system to start normally.
7] Use the Event Viewer
Ideally, these steps should fix the issue of high CPU usage. However, in case the issue remains unresolved, to identify the offending process, you can also use the Event Viewer, then use it to identify errors. Hope our suggestions help you fix the issue. Posts about processes using high resources:
WMI Provider Host High CPU UsageNtoskrnl.exe high CPU & Disk usageDesktop Window Manager dwm.exe consumes high CPUWindows Modules Installer Worker High CPU & Disk UsageWindows Shell Experience Host uses high CPU.
