Windows host process (Rundll32) high CPU usage

Question

Most of the time, the rundll.exe process uses consistently above 80% CPU usage. It slows down everything considerably. It also appears that this process gets executed indefinitely slowing down the whole system all the time it runs. It can be killed safely, but then it runs again after sometime and the slow down continues.

I run Windows 8.1 64 bit. Toggling the 'command line' view option in the task manager reveals the following:-

rundll32.exe aeinv.dll,UpdateSoftwareInventory

How do I fix this annoying issue?

Answer 1

Hello, I was having the same issues with rundll32.exe using a lot of my CPU usage. Here is what was causing my issues.

Step One: I downloaded Process Explorer. This is an excellent tool. It is similar to Task Manager but goes into way more depth on the processes and dlls that are running. I extracted the download and then ran Process Explorer as an administrator.

Step Two: One of the first things I noticed was rundll32.exe was using 23 percent of my CPU again. 

I right-clicked on the rundll32.exe process and selected properties. I clicked on the Image tab and at once saw the culprit. A utility to monitor and gauge my battery usage, called PwrMgrBkGndMonitor, was draining my battery instead of saving it.

**Step Three:**After a little digging around in my installed programs I located a program called Lenovo Settings Dependency Package. PwrMgrBkGndMonitor was installed in the Lenovo Settings Dependency Package.

I didn’t use this program and decided I didn’t need it. I uninstalled the program and restarted my laptop. I haven’t had a problem with the rundll32.exe using up my CPU since I uninstalled Lenovo Settings Dependency Package.

If you are experiencing the same symptoms has stated above and you are running a Lenovo laptop with Windows 8.1, this may be your issue. However, before you uninstall the program I would recommend using Process Explorer. Process Explorer will help you determine the exact program that is giving you issues before blindly uninstalling and killing services. I hope my troubleshooting steps can help you find program is making rundll32.exe use high CPU usage. Let me know in the comments if this helped you!

(removed by FM)

Answer 2

I was able to fix this, but this method isn't without any risk.

I just moved the "aienv.dll" out of the Win32 directory and stored it in a safe place.

No more problems since then.. But still, on your own risk

Answer 3

Same problem here. Very, very annoying.

Answer 4

Try this (I have Norwegian Windows, so I'm not 100% sure if the buttons are named like this):

Right click file: Select properties.

Security->Advanced->Owner: change (at the top)

Advanced...

Search now

Select "Administrators" (not just Administrator, that didn't work for me.)

Ok all the way out.

This should make it possible to change the permissions for the file. Set all permissions for Administrators.

Answer 5

Hi,

Are you using a 3rd party antivirus application on your computer?

Check if you can experience the issue in ‘Safe mode’; if safe mode works fine then set the computer to ‘Clean boot’ state to check for software conflicts.

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Step 1:

Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode).

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

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Step 2:

Keep the computer in a clean boot status and check. If everything works fine after a clean boot, you can infer that some third party services are causing the issue. Proceed with the remaining steps to pin-point out the third party service. After you figure out the issue causing program, you may have to update or install a latest version of the program.

How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: Please go through the section: How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot of the Kb article to boot the computer in normal startup after fixing the issue.

Hope this information helps you. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.