Pro Windows users have a habit of checking the Task Manager regularly. They check it when they feel their computer is slow or to find out which processes are using the resources.
Taking a closer look at the Task Manager, many Windows users have discovered that ‘Shell Infrastructure Host’ is running and raises the bar for CPU and memory usage. So if you are a Windows user and find that the same process is causing high CPU and memory usage, continue reading the article.
In this article, we are going to discuss what exactly is ‘Shell infrastructure host‘ is and why it increases CPU and memory usage when running in the background. We will also discuss some best practices to fix Shell Infrastructure Host high CPU and memory usage problems. Let’s check out.
What is ‘Shell Infrastructure Host’ in Task Manager?
The Shell Infrastructure Host is a very important Windows process and it runs in the background for a very important reason.
The ‘Shell Infrastructure Host’, also known as sihost.exeis a system process that handles various visual aspects of the operating system.
Your desktop background, pop-up notifications, taskbar appearance, and some other parts of the graphical user interface are handled by the Shell Infrastructure Host process in Windows.
If you are running a stable build of the Windows operating system, the Shell Infrastructure Host process is likely running in the background and consuming a small amount of memory and CPU usage. However, sometimes the same process can increase CPU and RAM usage due to specific issues and crash your computer.
Fix Shell Infrastructure Host High CPU Usage?
Well, if you are facing problems due to the high CPU usage of Shell Infrastructure Host, you can make certain changes on your computer to solve the problem. Here are the best ways to Shell infrastructure Host high CPU usage issue.
1. Restart your computer
Before you try anything else, restart your Windows computer. Rebooting can sometimes fix your computer’s most complicated problems; this includes system processes that increase CPU and RAM consumption.
Some apps may prevent the Shell Infrastructure Host from functioning, resulting in high CPU and RAM resources. So be sure to restart your computer before making any changes.
To restart your Windows PC, click the Windows Start button, the Power menu and select Restart. This would restart your Windows computer.
2. Run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter
System Maintenance Troubleshooter has a few links to the Shell Infrastructure Host. Therefore, you can run it to fix the high CPU and memory usage caused by the same process. Here’s what to do.
1. First click on Windows Search and type Control Panel. Then open the Control panel app from the list.
2. When the Control Panel opens, click Solving a problem.
3. On the Troubleshoot screen, click View all button in the left pane.
4. Now you will see a list of all available troubleshooters. Find and click System maintenance.
5. At the next prompt, check the’Apply repairs automaticallyprompt and click the Next one knob.
That is it! You just need to follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system maintenance troubleshooting section.
3. Check for programs that conflict with the process
You can boot your computer in safe mode and check if the ‘Shell Infrastructure Host’ process is still causing high CPU or memory usage. If there is no problem on a clean boot or in safe mode, you need to find the problematic third-party software.
It’s quite easy to find all installed software in Windows; you can access the Control Panel and uninstall any suspicious programs. You can also look closely at the Task Manager to find programs running in the background without your permission.
If you find apps that should not be on your computer, it is recommended that you uninstall them.
4. Run an anti-malware scan
Windows Defender is a great security program that comes with Windows 10/11. You can use it to run a full anti-malware scan on your system. There are several ways to scan with Windows Security; here’s the easiest one.
1. Click Windows Search and type Windows security. Then open the Windows security app from the list.
2. When the Windows Security app opens, click the Protection against viruses and threats tab.
3. Click the on the right side Scan options.
4. In the scan options, select ‘Full scan‘ and click the Scan now knob.
That is it! This will run a full scan on your system. The full scan option checks all files and running programs on your hard drive. However, it may take up to an hour for the scan to complete.
5. Run the SFC/DISM command
Another best way to solve the high CPU usage of ‘Shell Infrastructure Host’ is to run the SFC and DISM commands. Both commands are designed to fix issues related to corrupted system files. Here’s what to do.
1. Click Windows Search and type CMD. Then right-click on the command prompt and select ‘Run as administrator‘.
2. When the command prompt opens, type in sfc / scan and press the Enter button.
3. If the SFC command returns an error, run this command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
That is it! The DISM command may take several minutes to complete. You have to wait for the command to finish repairing all your corrupted system files.
6. Update your Windows operating system
If nothing worked for you, updating your Windows operating system is the remaining option. Updating Windows will likely rule out bugs or glitches that could conflict with the Shell Infrastructure host process.
It’s also always a good idea to keep your system up to date to enjoy the new features and improved security and privacy options. To update Windows, open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Windows 10/11 automatically checks for updates. If updates are available for your computer, they will be installed automatically.
Also Read: How to Fix CxUIUSvc Service High CPU and RAM Usage (5 Ways)
So, these are the few best methods to solve the high CPU usage of ‘Shell Infrastructure Host’ on Windows computers. If you need more help fixing sihost.exe high CPU usage, let us know in the comments below. And if the article helped you, share it with your friends.
