Solved WUAUSERV (Windows update) High CPU usage

[jorb]

WUAUSERV (Windows update) High CPU usage, error 0x80070057

After the weekly Microsoft patch Tuesday 5-17-16.
My computer started running Hot.
I check the resource monitor and the CPU is running over 50%.
Under services it shows WUAUSERV (Windows update) keeps using the CPU at over 50%.
I used System file checker and there was no problems.

I downloaded the System Update Readiness Tool and it has been over a hour and a half.
And the System Update Readiness Tool, stand alone installer is still searching for updates on the computer.
And WUAUSERV (Windows update) keeps using the CPU at over 50%.
When I stop service of WUAUSERV (Windows update) from the resource monitor, the CPU usage returns to normal.
I also did a full scan with Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials with zero threats detected.

I used Windows update Troubleshooter and it showed error 0x80070057 and it was fixed.
Then next screen showed the error 0x80070057 not fixed.

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[johnny20]

That's because win7 keeps searching for updates. When the search is over, wuauserv goes down.

See the threads about win7 taking forever to complete searching for updates.

SURT shouldn't search for updates. I think you should run that with updates turn off and wuavserv stopped. I installed that today also and it didn't search for updates.

How long does it take for your pc to complete search for updates?

 

[jorb]

How long does it take for your pc to complete search for updates?

Windows update keeps searching and searching but never finds any updates.
If I just open the windows update window WUAUSERV starts.
I do not have to click "Check for Updates" for WUAUSERV to start.
I stop service of WUAUSERV from the resource monitor, then CPU usage returns to normal.
Also, WUAUSERV starts just buy logging on to the internet.

I tried SURT again after stopping service of WUAUSERV.
And SURT started, but after a hour, WUAUSERV seemed to stop SURT.
So I stopped it and it said that not all updates were installed.
I tried to start SURT again and it went back to searching for updates on the computer.

 

[jorb]

Update: SURT now says Hotfix for Windows (KB947821) was not installed.
Now what do I Do?

 

[johnny20]

I doubt SURT will solve your problem.

You need to have a result to that search. It can't just search forever, wuavserv will run forever eating your CPU.

Try reading all this threads on how to deal with windows stuck updates.

What update client are you using?

When did you last install an update, and which one was last?

 

[torchwood]

SURT is a troubleshooting tool, it looks for errors and tries to fix them.
On completion, and it can take HOURS, it will produce a log in the CBS folder.
ITS NOT a TRUE update, and will not appear in your installed update log,
BUT it is part of WUAUSERV.

Roy

 

[johnny20]

SURT is a troubleshooting tool, it looks for errors and tries to fix them.
On completion, and it can take HOURS, it will produce a log in the CBS folder.
ITS NOT a TRUE update, and will not appear in your installed update log,
BUT it is part of WUAUSERV.

Roy

I installed today. It's not a tool, it scans while installing and creates a log. My log was clear.

It appears in this list, but you're right it's not present in installed updates.

Anyway, he should first focus on other things, I doubt surt will fix the problem.

 

[jorb]

I doubt SURT will solve your problem.

You need to have a result to that search. It can't just search forever, wuavserv will run forever eating your CPU.

Try reading all this threads on how to deal with windows stuck updates.

What update client are you using?

When did you last install an update, and which one was last?

Update client version 7.6.7601.19161
KB3156417 Installed on 6-7-16

 

[johnny20]

Ok so it worked until recently and now it's taking forever.

I had the same problem - how I solved it - I installed KB3161664 (set to Never check for updates and make sure wuauserv is stopped first), download it from MS website, install, then restart and search for updates. That's what I did yesterday and it found updates in about 2h. I didn't install them since it's very slow but at least wuauserv will stop. Or you could just turn off updates, wuauserv will not bother you as long as you set never check for updates, and wait until downloads get faster.

 

[UsernameIssues]

SURT is a troubleshooting tool, it looks for errors and tries to fix them.
On completion, and it can take HOURS, it will produce a log in the CBS folder.
ITS NOT a TRUE update, and will not appear in your installed update log,
BUT it is part of WUAUSERV.

Roy

I installed today. It's not a tool, it scans while installing and creates a log. My log was clear.

It appears in this list, but you're right it's not present in installed updates.

Anyway, he should first focus on other things, I doubt surt will fix the problem.

Perhaps I'm not understanding your post. Are you saying that the SURT (System Update Readiness Tool) is not a tool?



If your solution of installing KB3161664 does not work for the OP, then I would suggest option three in this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91738-windows-update-reset.html as the next step. It could be that the WU process is just broken again. It might take up a lot of CPU cycles and bring weak hardware to its knees.

 

[johnny20]

What I meant was it's not like something you download, install, then look for it, start and run it. You just install it and that's it.

 

[jorb]

Ok so it worked until recently and now it's taking forever.

I had the same problem - how I solved it - I installed KB3161664 (set to Never check for updates and make sure wuauserv is stopped first), download it from MS website, install, then restart and search for updates. That's what I did yesterday and it found updates in about 2h. I didn't install them since it's very slow but at least wuauserv will stop. Or you could just turn off updates, wuauserv will not bother you as long as you set never check for updates, and wait until downloads get faster.

I installed KB3161664 and restarted and searched for updates.
And I kid you not, within 5 minutes Windows update found the below 10 important updates.
The one optional update is a Definition for MSE.
The WUAUSERV at the moment seems to be running normal and the whole computer.
Before this Windows update problem I always had Windows update set on "Install updates automatically".
After installing KB3161664, I set Windows update to "Download updates but let me choose whether to install them" then I searched for updates.
Should I install all of the below updates or is there a list that says which ones not to install?
I have to say Thanks for the Help, I have been working on this problem for a month and I Hope it's a fix that stays fixed.
The computer I have is a laptop and I usually have it on my lap, I could feel the heat from it and that is how I knew something was wrong.
If I had a desktop computer I would have never knew it was running hot.
This problem could fry a CPU.

 

[johnny20]

You are welcome, glad to hear it worked

It's up to you really, but I would wait a few days or weeks before installing. If anything is wrong with these updates, it's good to wait until they fix it. It's good to first read about each update, what it does, if you really need it, if it's known to cause any problems, etc.

 

[jorb]

You are welcome, glad to hear it worked

It's up to you really, but I would wait a few days or weeks before installing. If anything is wrong with these updates, it's good to wait until they fix it. It's good to first read about each update, what it does, if you really need it, if it's known to cause any problems, etc.

I will take your above advice.
And mark this thread as solved.
Thanks Again,

 

[UsernameIssues]

What I meant was it's not like something you download, install, then look for it, start and run it. You just install it and that's it.

I see. Thanks for explaining.