W3wp.exe High CPU Usage: 5 Ways to Fix it for Good

Quick solutions and workarounds from across the web

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Internet Information Service is critical for running web apps and is aw3wp.exe process, issues with which can cause high CPU usage and are detrimental to effective functioning.

How can I fix w3wp.exe high CPU usage?

1. Check if the traffic is higher than usual

The CPU usage for a web app increases with the web traffic, and if it’s considerably increased in a short span, chances are that’s whyw3wp.exehas high CPU usage.

You can also use a comprehensivenetwork monitoring toolto identify in real-time if there’s a sudden surge in traffic on a particular URL. If that’s the case, deploy more resources to handle the increased demand and get the CPU usage under control.

2. Identify errors in the web app

Another likely reason behind the problem is poorly written code leading to errors and triggeringw3wp.exehigh CPU usage.

Remember not all errors are visible to the end user. Some of the more complex ones usually occur in the background, leading to high CPU usage, with nothing being reasonably evident.

To combat this, either review the code or useWindows Event ViewerandIIS logsto identify the errors. Once done, take the necessary corrective measures to fix things, and there won’t be aw3wp.exehigh CPU in Server 2016 anymore.

3. Terminate the w3wp.exe process

This is an effective fix, but it’s more of a workaround than a solution. Also, IIS will automatically restart the process with reduced CPU consumption.

Besides, remember that you can change the value in the command depending on the computer’s configuration.

If this fixes thew3wp.exehigh CPU, create a batch file,add it to the task scheduler, and set it to run every hour or so.

4. Move the folder you are making the changes to

If you are gettingw3wp.exehigh memory or CPU while creating subfolders or modifying the existing ones, a quick workaround would be to move the folder (where the files are being written) out of the web application’s main folder and then make the changes.

Remember that this is a workaround and should only be used in the short run. Ultimately, you will have to identify and eliminate the underlying cause.

5. Check the antivirus

A few users reported that their antivirus conflicted with w3wp.exe and led to high CPU consumption. First, check if the antivirus has a buffer overflow protection feature and disable it.

If there isn’t an option to disable it or you can’t figure it out, uninstall the virus for a while and confirm whether the CPU usage comes to normal levels. If it does, we recommend installing the previous stable version or using a morereliable antivirus.

That’s it! Withw3wp.exehigh CPU fixed, you can continue running the web application effectively. Also, check our favoriteweb apps for drawing and editing. In case of any queries, reach out to us via the comments section below.

W3wp.exe High CPU Usage: 5 Ways to Fix it for Good#

How can I fix w3wp.exe high CPU usage?#

1. Check if the traffic is higher than usual#

2. Identify errors in the web app#

3. Terminate the w3wp.exe process#

4. Move the folder you are making the changes to#

5. Check the antivirus#