If you’ve noticed your Windows 10 or 11 PC slowing down due to high CPU usage by the Windows Modules Installer Worker process (TiWorker.exe), don’t panic. This is a common issue that can be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps.
What is Windows Modules Installer Worker?
Windows Modules Installer Worker is a system process responsible for installing Windows updates and performing maintenance tasks on your PC. It’s a normal and necessary process, but it can sometimes cause performance issues if it’s running for an extended period or using too much CPU.
Why is Windows Modules Installer Worker Using High CPU?
There are a few reasons why Windows Modules Installer Worker might be using high CPU:
There’s an ongoing update or maintenance task that hasn’t finished yet
There’s a problem with a Windows update that’s causing the process to run longer than expected
The process is stuck or malfunctioning for some reason
How to Fix Windows Modules Installer Worker High CPU Usage
Here are some steps you can take to fix the high CPU usage issue:
Wait for the process to finish: If there’s an update or maintenance task in progress, let the process run until it’s completed. High CPU usage is normal during this time.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter: If the process is stuck or there’s a problem with an update, run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to find and fix any issues.
On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and click “Run” next to Windows Update
On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters and select “Windows Update”
Restart the Windows Modules Installer Worker process: If the process is stuck or malfunctioning, you can try restarting it.
Press Windows R, type “services.msc” and press Enter
Find the “Windows Update” service, right-click it and select “Restart”
Clear the Windows Update cache: If the process is stuck or there’s a problem with an update, clearing the Windows Update cache may help.
Press Windows R, type “%windir%\SoftwareDistribution” and press Enter
Delete all files in the folder and empty the Recycle Bin
Scan for malware: In rare cases, malware or viruses can cause the Windows Modules Installer Worker process to malfunction and use high CPU. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to check for any threats.
Run an SFC scan: If you suspect a system file corruption issue, you can run an SFC (System File Checker) scan to check for and repair any corrupted system files.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator
Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter
Wait for the scan to complete and follow any instructions
If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may need to contact Microsoft support or consider a clean install of Windows as a last resort.
Remember, Windows Modules Installer Worker is a necessary process for keeping your PC up to date and secure. While high CPU usage can be frustrating, it’s usually a temporary issue that can be resolved with a bit of troubleshooting.