13 Ways to Fix High CPU And Memory Usage By Wsappx

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Many users fix the high CPU and memory usage by using wsappx. Let’s explore how does wsappx works.

In the world of computing, performance is paramount. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, nothing is more frustrating than a sluggish system. One common issue that Windows users encounter is high CPU and memory usage by a process called wsappx. This process can sometimes consume a significant amount of system resources, leading to slow performance, unresponsive applications, and even system crashes. In this article, we’ll delve into what wsappx is, why it might be consuming excessive resources, and how you can fix high CPU and memory usage caused by this process.

What is wsappx?

wsappx is a Windows process that is responsible for managing the installation, removal, and updating of Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, formerly known as Metro apps. These apps are typically downloaded from the Microsoft Store and include a wide range of applications, from games to productivity tools. The wsappx process is a container for two sub-processes:

  • AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC): This service handles the deployment of UWP apps, including installation, updates, and removal.
  • Client License Service (ClipSVC): This service manages the licensing of UWP apps, ensuring that only authorized users can access and use them.

While wsappx is essential for the proper functioning of UWP apps, it can sometimes consume more CPU and memory resources than it should, leading to performance issues.

Should I be worried about wsappx?

No, wsappx is neither a virus nor malware. It is a legitimate Microsoft process that runs in the background on all Windows 8, 10, and 11 systems. However, if you notice it continuously using a lot of CPU or memory, it may indicate a problem at some level.

Why Does wsappx Consume High CPU and Memory?

There are several reasons why wsappx might consume high CPU and memory resources:

  • Background Updates: UWP apps are designed to update automatically in the background. If multiple apps are being updated simultaneously, wsappx can consume significant resources.
  • Corrupted App Data: If the data associated with a UWP app becomes corrupted, wsappx may get stuck in a loop trying to repair or update the app, leading to high resource usage.
  • Large App Installations: Installing or updating large UWP apps can temporarily increase the resource usage of wsappx.
  • System Issues: Sometimes, underlying system issues such as corrupted system files or misconfigured services can cause wsappx to behave abnormally.
  • Malware: In rare cases, malware disguised as wsappx can cause high CPU and memory usage.

13 Ways to Fix High CPU and Memory Usage by wsappx

Multiple solutions exist to address wsappx-related high CPU and memory usage when it occurs on your system. This article discusses the solutions in detail.

1. Restart Your Computer

The easiest starting point to tackle wsappx issues always exists through a computer restart. The reboot process helps eliminate short-lived files and halts needless system operations to solve minor problems affecting excessive wsappx resource usage.

2. Check for Windows Updates

Microsoft frequently releases updates that can address bugs and improve performance and security. In case wsappx is consuming a high amount of resources due to a known issue, the best thing you can do is to install the latest Windows updates. Here are some steps to know how to Check for Windows Updates

  1. First, open the Settings app by pressing Win + I.
  2. Then go to Update & Security and click on the Windows Update.
  3. Now press the Check for updates.
  4. Here if you see any downloads available download them as soon as possible.
  5. Restart your computer and install the updates.

    Check for Windows Updates
    Check for Windows Updates

     

3. Disabling Microsoft Store from auto-updating

As we have said, multiple applications are updated by wsappx. This might lead to high CPU and RAM usage if many applications are updated in one go. Thus, turning off automatic updating for all the apps in the Microsoft Store would help reduce this wastage. So, follow the below steps to turn off Microsoft Store Auto-updates:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store App.
  2. Click on the three-dot menu options in the top right corner and select Settings.
  3. Toggle off Update Apps Automatically under “App Updates”.

    Disabling Microsoft Store from auto-updating
    Disabling Microsoft Store from auto-updating

4. Terminate Wsappx Process

In case wsappx is consuming unnecessarily high resources. It will make your PC freeze. So, you can close it temporarily. But you must keep in mind that it is battery-operated and will start again automatically. So, follow these steps for disabling the service of wsappx:

  1. First press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open your Task Manager.
  2. Then Locate the process of wsappx in the processes tab.
  3. Right-click on wsappx and select End task.

    What is wsappx?
    What is wsappx?

     

5. Run the Windows Store App Troubleshooter:

There is also a built-in troubleshooter in Windows that might automatically detect and fix any error related to UWP apps. Running this troubleshooter might fix issues concerning wsappx.  Here are a few steps to know how to Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter:

  1. Use Win + I to open the Settings application. 
  2. Navigate Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  3. Advance to the last page and choose Windows Store Apps.
  4. Click on Run the troubleshooter option and proceed as instructed.

6. Reset or Reinstall Problem-causing UWP Apps

If wsappx consumes high resources on a particular UWP app, then resetting or reinstalling that app could help. Here is a guide to the Reset Procedure for a UWP App:

  1. Win + I to go to Settings.
  2. Go to Apps, then Apps & features.
  3. From the list, find the faulty app, and click on it.
  4. Click Advanced options.
  5. Scroll down and click Reset.
  6. The Reinstall a UWP App:
  7. Open the Microsoft Store app.
  8. Search for the app with which you’re having difficulty, and click it.
  9. Click Install to reinstall the application.

7. Clear the Windows Store cache

Corrupted cache files can sometimes cause abnormal operations in wsappx. Therefore, clearing the Windows Store cache can help resolve this issue. So, follow these steps to Clear the Windows Store Cache:

  1. Click the Win + R and open the Run dialog box.
  2. Then type wsreset.exe and press the Enter button from the keyboard.
  3. A command prompt window will open and clear the cache. This process may take a few minutes.

 

8. Perform a System File Check (SFC) Scan

Corrupt files in the system may be the reason why wsappx goes high on resources. An SFC scan will ultimately detect and repair the corrupted system files. So, follow these steps to Perform an SFC Scan on your PC to fix high CPU and memory usage issues using wsappx;

  1. Go to the Start menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and hit enter.
  3. The scanning will take place, and waiting for the process will happen. If any issues are found, the SFC will work on repairing them. 
  4. Restart your computer after the scan finishes.

    sfc scanning
    sfc scanning

9. Turn on DISM Scanning

Windows Imaging and Deployment Service Management Tool that is received from the site is going to be used to repair your Windows image and even fix the problems that you cannot check with only one SFC scan.

Steps to Perform a DISM Scan:

  1. Click Win + X to open Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Write the commands below one by one. After each command enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth 

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /restorehealth

It waits for each command to finish, though at times it can take a long for RestoreHealth.

Once the scan has been completed restart your computer. 

10. Disable wsappx Permanently (Not Recommended)

If you are not going to be using UWP apps and do not want wsappx to run at all, go ahead and disable it. However, please note that this is not considered a best practice because it means that you are also disabling UWP applications from being installed, updated, or even used. So, follow these steps for the Action that Disables wsappx Permanently:

  1. Press Win + R and launch the Run dialogr on your pc.
  2. Here in the search bar, type in services.msc and press Enter. 
  3. Locating AppX Deployment Service (AppXSVC) and Client License Service (ClipSVC) inside the Services window. 
  4. Double-click on each service and set the Startup type to Disabled and remember to click Stop. 
  5. Click Apply and then OK.
Disable wsappx Permanently
Disable wsappx Permanently

11. Scan for Malware

Rare cases show that wsappx disguises as malware, which causes higher CPU and memory usage. A complete scan of the system using a nice antivirus package will assist in detecting and removing any malware.

  1. To scan your computer for malware:
  2. Open your antivirus software and start a complete system scan.
  3. Here you will get a few instructions on the display screen. So, follow them to remove detected threats.

12. Clean Boot Scenario

You can do a clean boot to determine whether a third-party application or service is responsible for the heavy wsappx resource consumption. For this method, we would start windows with a limited set of drivers and starting programs and establish exclusion before dealing with the cause of the problem. Here are some steps you can follow to perform a Clean Boot: 

  1. Launch the Run dialog with Win + R. After that, type msconfig and press Enter. 
  2. Here the System Configuration window opens. Then, you need to select the tab Services.
  3. Here, check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services > click Disable all.
  4. Press the Startup tab, launch Task Manager, and then disable all items from the list.
  5. Then Close the Task Manager and click OK on the System Configuration window. In the end, make sure to restart your PC
Check for Windows Updates
Check for Windows Updates

13. Reset or Reinstall Windows

If you don’t get anything working you will probably have to reset/reinstall Windows. Environmentally, wiping is one of the last resort because it will not only wipe out the applications you had installed they will wipe out your settings too.

Reset Windows

  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to the Update & Security and then click Recovery.
  3. Click on Get Started from the list of Reset this PC that appears from the drop-down list.
  4. According to the need for keeping the files on your computer, i.e. If you want to keep the files then press the Keep my files button, else press the Remove everything button.

Reinstallation of Windows

After processing the screen, you can proceed to the reset.

  1. Make a Windows installation media using the Media Creation Tool.
  2. Insert the installation media and also choose to reinstall Windows (as per the on-screen instructions) which will then reboot you and boot from the installation media.

Conclusion

Wsappx’s high CPU and memory usage can be a frustrating problem that is usually fixable with the correct steps. You can resolve and understand why the application is consuming excessive resources by understanding what wsappx is and what might be causing your App to use these resources. So, there are several things you can do to regain control of your PC’s performance by disabling auto updates running system scans, and even a clean boot.

Given, that Infinog is here to give you the solutions like disabling wsappx completely may be of relief for a short while but come at a cost – no UWP apps can be used. For this reason, it is necessary to analyze both the advantages and disadvantages of each solution before implementing it. A fresh start can be had though if all else fails, resetting or reinstalling Windows. This should be a last resort though.

Following the steps explained in this article should help diagnose and fix high CPU and memory usage by wsappx, so you can enjoy the performance of your system as it should be.

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