Opened up the task manager and saw sihost.exe using a lot of memory? Or got a notification saying sihost.exe has stopped working? Whichever the case is, you are in the right place.
Being a windows user for around a decade, I know why the issue occurs and its countermeasures. In this article, I am going to share everything I know related to the shell host issue. Reading through the article is gonna be beneficial to you.
Before jumping to the solution, I must elaborate on what this service is.
So, What is a shell infrastructure host?
So, you know what it’s functionality is. Now, let’s have a look at how you can resolve the problems regarding this mechanism.
How to Solve Shell Infrastructure Host Using too Much Memory?
So, you are acknowledged of the functionality of the sihost.exe. In order to solve the high memory usage problem, you need to know the reasons behind the issue.
Normally, the infrastructure host doesn’t use a lot of system resources. There are one or two reasons for showing up the high usage. The first one being affected by malware. And the other reason is using an outdated operating system.
You can easily eradicate this issue by simply following the methods I have enlisted here. But whatever you do, don’t end the process from the task manager. Your computer will restart several times and might not work properly if you do so.
Here are the methods to solve shell host using too much memory:
1. Update Operating System
If you are using an outdated windows operating system, a shell infrastructure host can take a big portion of your system memory and slow down your computer. Keeping your PC up to date is the best solution to avoid this situation.
Here’s how you can update your operating system:
- Start your computer and go to the windows search box by pressing Windows + S
- Search for Settings and click on it.
- Select Update & Security from the list.
- Select Windows update from the left pane when a new window appears.
- Click on check for updates and wait for a while.
Install the update and restart your computer if any updates are available. After restarting, go to the task manager and check if the service is still using that much memory. If yes, you can follow the next methods.
2. Check Your System Files
Updating the OS didn’t solve your issue? No worries, you need to check if your system files are corrupted or not. Corrupted system files can affect your system performance.
Here’s how you can check the system files:
- Press the Windows + S button together to open up the search box.
- Type in Windows Powershell and right-click on the result.
- Select run as administrator from the small list.
- Type this command in the prompt SFC/scannow.
- Press Enter and wait for a while to complete the scanning.
This process will compare your system files. If there are any missing or corrupted files, those will be repaired by the SFC.
3. Run the DISM Tool
DISM is the tool that detects windows errors, and it stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management.
Here’s how to run the DISM tool to solve high memory usage:
- Press Windows + X button together to open apps and features.
- Select Windows PowerShell (admin) to open up.
- Copy this command Exe /Online /cleanup-Image /Restorehealth.
- Paste that command into the prompt and hit
This may take a moment, when it’s done, restart your computer and check if the issue persists.
Check out the easiest way to fix Windows Can’t Access Network Drive On Windows 11.
4. Perform Full Virus Scan
As I explained earlier, malware can cause this issue. To be extra cautious, run a full virus scan on your PC.
Here’s how you can run a full virus scan:
- Press Windows + S to open the search menu.
- Type Virus & Threat Protection and click on the result.
- Navigate to Scan Options > Full Scan from the menu.
- Wait for the process to finish.
When the procedure is finished, take action against the malware that has been discovered. Check if the issue has been resolved or not.
4. Switch to Selective Startup
This method is a bold move if your issue is still not resolved. With this method, you determine which services you need while starting up the computer.
Here’s how you can change the startup programs:
- Press Windows + R button to open the run prompt.
- Type in msconfig and press enter.
- Go to the services tab when the system configuration window appears.
- Tick on Hide all Microsoft Services from the bottom part.
- Click on Disable all when Microsoft services are hidden, and then click Apply.
Restart your computer to implement the changes. You should find all of the sihost.exe problems have been resolved.
5. Limit CPU Usage For sihost.exe
You can manually limit CPU usage for any of the apps running on your system. Limiting the CPU usage will solve the performance issue you are facing for the shell infrastructure host.
Here’s how you can limit the CPU usage for sihost.exe:
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete simultaneously and select task manager.
- Move to the details tab from the task manager dashboard.
- Locate the Shell Experience host/ Shell Infrastructure host and right-click on it.
- Select set affinity and when the following dialog opens, select the CPU Limit you think would be sufficient. Don’t turn it completely off.
Close the task manager and restart your computer. Check if your headache has been gone!
These are the most workable solutions you should implement when you face the high CPU usage problem of shell host. Now, if you have any other problems regarding shell experience host, keep reading the article.
How to Solve Shell Infrastructure Host has stopped Working?
When you get the error message saying sihost.exe has stopped working, it probably crashed. The reason is most probably corrupted or missing files.
Let’s jump to solutions you can try on when you encounter the problem.
Here are the methods to solve shell infrastructure that has stopped working:
1. Create a New Guest Account
If you don’t want to use an account that has a problematic shell infrastructure, you can always create a new account and delete the other account. But, make sure to create a backup for the important files.
Here are the steps to create a new guest account:
- Press Windows + X and select Settings.
- Choose account settings from the list.
- Click on Add someone else to this PC from the right pane.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new account.
After creating, restart your PC and log in with the new account and check the error message has been resolved or not.
2. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Programs
If the visual programs are corrupted, some functions of your PC can’t work efficiently. You need to repair the programs if that’s the case.
Here are the steps to reinstall Microsoft Visual programs:
- Type in Control Panel in the windows search box and click on the program.
- Select uninstall a program from underneath the program menu.
- Locate Microsoft visual C++ programs and select Uninstall.
- Download the programs from Microsoft official website and install them again
Reboot your computer after installation and check if the issue persists. If yes, follow the next method.
3. Run Windows Troubleshooters
System Maintenance troubleshooter could help you with this system crash issue.
Here are the steps to run the system maintenance troubleshooter:
- Press Windows + R button to open the run command.
- Type exe -id MaintenanceDiagnostic in the box and hit Enter.
- Select Advanced when the new window appears.
- Tick on Apply repairs automatically and click on
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Your shell host has stopped working problem should be solved by now. If not, follow all the methods I have explained earlier. You will face no problem after implementing the methods carefully.
Conclusion
The last thing I would like to add is, to be patient when you face any problem regarding shell infrastructure host. Never, I repeat never shut down the shell experience host/ shell infrastructure host from the task manager.
If you have read all the words I have put throughout the article, I can assure you that solving this problem won’t trouble you that much.
Then again, if you face any obstacles implementing the methods, feel free to comment below. I will help you as soon as possible.
