How to Fix Windows Modules Installer Worker High CPU

The “Windows Modules Installer Worker” process (TiWorker.exe) is responsible for installing, modifying, and removing system updates and components on Windows. If you’re experiencing high CPU usage from the Windows Modules Installer Worker and want to resolve the issue, here are some steps you can take:

1. Wait for Updates to Finish:

  • Sometimes, Windows Modules Installer Worker uses high CPU because it’s actively working on installing updates. Allow some time for the updates to finish, and the CPU usage may return to normal.

2. Restart Your Computer:

  • A simple restart can often resolve temporary system issues. Restart your computer and check if the high CPU usage persists.

3. Configure Automatic Updates:

  • Open the Settings app (Windows key + I), go to “Update & Security,” and then “Windows Update.”
  • Click on “Advanced options” and check if “Automatic (recommended)” is selected under “Choose when updates are installed.”
  • Ensure that your system is set to automatically install updates during a time when you’re not actively using the computer.

4. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter:

  • Open the Settings app (Windows key + I), go to “Update & Security,” and then “Troubleshoot.”
  • Select “Additional troubleshooters,” find and run the “Windows Update” troubleshooter.

5. Reset Windows Update Components:

  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking the Start menu, selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
  • Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
    bash
    net stop wuauserv
    net stop cryptSvc
    net stop bits
    net stop msiserver

    ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

    net start wuauserv
    net start cryptSvc
    net start bits
    net start msiserver

  • Restart your computer.

6. Adjust Windows Update Settings:

  • Open the Settings app (Windows key + I), go to “Update & Security,” and then “Windows Update.”
  • Click on “Change active hours” and set the time when you are usually active on your computer.
  • Consider setting “Pause updates” if you want to temporarily stop updates.

7. Check for Malware:

  • Perform a full system scan using your installed antivirus software to ensure that your system is not infected with malware.

8. Check Disk for Errors:

  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following command to check for and fix disk errors:
    bash
    chkdsk /f
  • You may need to restart your computer to allow the tool to check and fix disk errors.

9. Consider Manually Installing Updates:

  • If the automatic update process is causing issues, you can manually download and install updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

10. Review Event Viewer:

  • Open Event Viewer (Windows key + X and select “Event Viewer”).
  • Navigate to “Windows Logs” > “System.”
  • Look for any error messages or warnings related to Windows Update or Windows Modules Installer Worker.

If the issue persists after trying these steps, you may want to consider seeking assistance from Microsoft support or online forums for more in-depth troubleshooting based on your specific system configuration.