Perhaps your computer is heating up fast while the CPU fan runs loudly. What does it mean? Some issue might have crept up with the Windows Modules Installer Worker. Being part of the OS, it handles Windows updates. At times, high CPU usage might slow down the speed considerably and even crash the system.
How To Fix Windows Modules Installer Worker High CPU Usage?
1. Restart Computer:
Restart your computer if you experience abnormally high CPU usage even after no ongoing system maintenance or update process. It will destroy running programs along with the Windows Installer Worker and other processes that could be an issue. Hit the Windows key or the Start menu to restart your computer. Choose the Power icon. From the menu, click Restart. After the the computer restarts, ensure that CPU usage is normal.
2. Allow Windows Modules Installer Worker Some Time to Complete Tasks:
The Windows Worker process could be consuming more power than necessary. It could be that Windows is doing background system maintenance or busy installing updates. Such tasks will be completed in a few minutes. Afterwards, CPU usage will get back to a normal state. Do not rush. Give the computer some time to complete whatever it is doing.
3. Restart Windows Update Service:
Restart Windows Update to reset its settings. This will help fix issues resulting from high CPU usage. Open the Run Command box and type services.msc. Hit the Enter button to open the Services console. Go through the list of services to look for Windows Update. Right-click and select Restart. Troubleshooter runs and fixes Windows Update-related issues. Once scanning is completed and problems get fixed, check for further problems.
4. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter:
Run the Windows Update troubleshooter if restarting fails to work. It scans issues and fixes them automatically, thus solving high CPU usage-related issues. Press Win+R button to open the Run command. Next, type Control Panel and hit the enter button to open the control panel. Select small icons or large icons in control panel view. Identify and click Troubleshooting option. Click Other troubleshooters on the right side. Click Run Windows Update. Troubleshooter runs to fix Windows Update issues. Once the scan gets completed and the problems are fixed, it should solve your problem.
5. Change Windows Modules Installer Worker Settings to Manual Mode:
Sometimes, Windows Modules Installer remains active even without updates getting installed. It might be due to Windows Update being set to Automatic mode. Change it to a manual model to fix such issues. It reduces CPU usage and prevents Windows from implementing the process. Open the Services Window. Next, scroll down to right click your mouse on Windows Update. Select the Properties option from the context menu. Double click on service and open the Properties window. Change Startup to Manual on the General tab and click OK. Check the list of services to find the Windows Module Installer and repeat similar steps. Once completed, restart the computer. Check for reduced CPU usage. Otherwise, try another solution to fix the problem.
6. Restart Windows Update Service:
It is another solution that might provide the desired results. It resets the Windows Update settings automatically. At the same time, it fixes problems that might result in high CPU usage. Open the Run command box. Type services.msc in dialog box. Hit the Enter button to open the Services console. Here, locate Windows Update in the services list. Right click on Update in the menu and select Restart. When the service restarts, check if the Installer process is still causing high CPU usage.
7. Clear Software Distribution Folder to Resolve Windows Modules Installer Worker Errors:
Delete the Software Distribution Folder. It holds files temporarily that is used while performing Windows updates. However, it might result in high CPU usage if any files in it are outdated or corrupted. Delete it and allow Windows to recreate the same. Follow these steps to clear the Software Distribution folder. Log in as an administrator and run Command Prompt. Type several commands in this window and hit the Enter button. Once the above commands get executed, open up Windows File Explorer.
Browse to the location C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\. Use Ctrl + A in the Distribution folder to choose all contents in them. Delete all. If pop-up menu seeks permission, click Continue. Once the Software Distribution folder is deleted, restart the previously stopped services. To enable this, launch again elevated command prompt. Run a command. Once completed, close the command prompt window. Restart the computer. Check if process consumes lots of CPU power or not.
8. Disable Windows Update:
Disable Windows Update if high CPU usage. Since updates are vital for performance and security, it is not a long-term recommended solution. However, if the need arises, disable it temporarily to check CPU usage. Click on the Start button and type Services in the search box. Choose Services from the results list to open the Services window. Locate Windows Update in the services list. Next, right-click on the same and choose Stop from the context menu. Once the Windows Update service stops, double-click it and open the Properties window.
Click Startup type on the General tab. From dropdown, choose Disabled. Click Apply > OK and save changes. Once the above steps are performed, close the Services window. Restart the computer. Find out if windows modules installer worker consumes heavy CPU resources. After completing troubleshooting, enable Windows Update.
9. Check out a few generic Windows fixes:
Besides the above-given solutions, you may try out a few generic fixes to reduce considerably high CPU usage. It includes disabling unwanted startup programs. You may even repair corrupted system files. If there are third-party programs downloaded on your system, uninstall them completely. Check for CPU usage. Moreover, check for recently installed updates. Incompatible or corrupted updates might result in high CPU usage-related problems. If you notice similar problems arising even after performing the steps, carry out a system restore.
Optimize CPU Usage Caused by Windows Modules Installer Worker
Your windows modules installer Worker could be using extremely high CPU power. If so, you have to try out different ways to fix this problem and restore your system to normalcy. Usually, the process uses computer resources when installing updates without causing issues. However, if you experience high CPU usage for extended periods, try immediately deactivating services. Implement common fixes after deleting files from the Software Distribution folder. If you still notice CPU usage is high than required and not able to fix the issue, contact an experienced engineer. They will locate the issue and get it fixed in less time.
