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Fix: Service Host Local Service High CPU [Network Restricted]

Disabling the Superfetch feature should fix this issue quickly

9 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Some Windows users complain that theirCPU usage is high without any particular reason. It can be that Service Host: Local Service (Network Restricted) is causing high CPU usage.

The problem occurs whenever the computer wakes up from sleep or even during regular work. If you’re facing a similar issue, you will find a solution in this post.

How do I fix high CPU usage by Service Host local system?

1. Disable the Superfetch service

1.Go toSearch,typeservicesand openServices.

2.Find theSuperfetchservice, right-click on it and go toStop.

Restart your computer.

That’s all. After disabling the Superfetch service, yourCPUusage should return to normal, and you’ll be able to continue working on your computer without any problems.

Although Microsoft says that the Superfetch service improves computers’ performance over time, in practice, it’s the opposite.

Many users complained that this service keepsperformance-optimizedonly when the system is newly installed, but it decreases its performance after some time.

Also, Superfetch services run 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 Service Host: local system high CPU problem simply by disablingWindows UpdateandEvent Logservice. 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 tofile corruption. Your system files can get corrupted; if that happens, you can repair them by running anSFC scan. To do that, follow these steps:

After the SFC scan is finished, check if the problem is resolved. If the issue persists, or if you can’t run an SFC scan, you’ll need to use the DISM scan instead. To do that, follow these steps:

After the DISM scan is finished, check if the problem persists. If you were unable to run the 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, you better take a closer look atthis guide.

3. Run Windows Update troubleshooter

According to users, you might be able to fix this problem simply by running the 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:

If you’re having trouble opening the Setting app, look atthis articleto solve the issue.

You can also run the troubleshooter by following these steps:

Both methods will check Windows Update and fix any potential problems. After the troubleshooting is finished, check if the problem still appears.

4. End unnecessary HP processes

When Service Host is causing highCPUusage, the cause might be related to HPprocessesthat are running in the background. To fix the problem, you need to end the HPprocessesfromTask Managerby doing the following:

If disabling the HPprocessesfixes 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 thoseprocessesand uninstall them.

Most users have no idea how to deal with a slow Task Manager. Don’t be one of them, and read thisquick guideto learn how to make it faster!

5. Remove problematic applications

If Service Host is causing highCPUusage, the problem might be related to third-party software. According to users, it seems that the problem was caused byDragon Naturally Speakingsoftware.

To fix the problem, users suggest completely removing this application from their PCs. If you’re using Dragon Naturally Speaking frequently and don’t want to remove it, update it to the latest version and check if that solves the problem.

Another application that can cause this problem to appear isMSI 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 a Chrome VPN extension caused the issue, so if you installed any new extensions recently, be sure to remove them and check if that solves the problem.

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 highCPUusage on your PC, performing a Clean boot is recommended to find the application causing it.

To do that, follow these steps:

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 individually or in groups until you find the one 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 onWindows 10, check out thissimple guide.

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:

After making the changes, the problems with high CPU usage should be resolved completely.

8. Restart the Windows Update service

If Service Host is causing high CPU usage, you might be able to fix the problem simply by restarting the Windows Update service. To do that, follow these steps:

After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved.

Service Host: local system high CPU Windows 11

Below are some of the surefire solutions to apply if you are facing this issue on Windows 11:

Thankfully, we have shown how to perform most of these fixes in the Windows 10 section. You might just need a tweak or two due to the OS difference.

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 and highCPUusage can cause many problems, but we hope you solve this problem using one of our solutions.

If you face other issues likeWindows Explorer’s high CPU usage, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

For more suggestions or questions, reach for the comments section below.

Fix: Service Host Local Service High CPU [Network Restricted]#

How do I fix high CPU usage by Service Host local system?#

1. Disable the Superfetch service#

2. Run SFC and DISM scan#

3. Run Windows Update troubleshooter#

4. End unnecessary HP processes#

5. Remove problematic applications#

6. Perform a Clean boot#

7. Change processor scheduling#

8. Restart the Windows Update service#

Service Host: local system high CPU Windows 11#

Common Service Host Local System errors#