Is Update KB4480977 causing high TiWorker CPU load?

[German]Does the cumulative update KB4480977 dated January 17, 2019 for Windows 10 V1607 and Windows Server 2016 forces the TiWorker process to cause a high CPU load? 


Advertising

Update KB4480977 for Windows 10 V1607/Server 2016

Microsoft released a KB4480977 cumulative update for Windows 10 V1607 and Windows Server 2016 on January 17, 2019. So not too many machines are receiving this update anymore. I reported about this within my blog post Windows 10 V1607: Update KB4480977 (01/17/2019). The update is supposed to fix some bugs, but causes a long list of known issues.

What is TiWorker?

TiWorker is the Windows Modules Installer Worker process of the Trusted Installer that is used by Windows Update. This process has been noticing for years that it runs amok after updates and suddenly causes high CPU load. If you search for 'TiWorker process site:microsoft.com' using a search engine, you will find many hits. All hits have one thing in common: Suddenly TiWorker consumes all CPU power and the machine is no longer usable.

After KB4480977 TiWorker causes high CPU load

German blog H. M. contacted me by e-mail and pointed out a problem he was running into. He runs a virtualized instance of Windows Server 2016. He told me:

since a few days an old problem occurs again:  after installing Windows update (KB4480977) the TiWorker process causes a very high CPU load.

In my case, I currently have this with a virtual server 2016 which became almost unusable as a result.

The blog reader found some hits within the Internet resulting from the last days. He posted the link to this MS Answers forum post from 19 January 2019, where the problem is also confirmed.

TiWorker.exe

Hi ! I have a very interesting problem, here it is: when I simply do my work on my computer, this program named TiWorker.exe pops out of nowhere and uses ~50%  of my CPU for absolutely nothing. I heard it's a part of a windows update installation program, but I really don't think so. If so, then why it suddenly disappears when I open the task manager? Is my computer playing jokes on me ? Do I really have play this hide-and-seek game with this program? I hope to find some kind of solution to this problem. I've tried everything that I could find online: turn off windows update from services.msc and so. Temporarily, it seems that I've found some kind of bridge, if I keep the task manager opened, it would literally "scare" TiWorkes.exe and prevent it from happening. Although it may seem funny, trust me, it isn't ! Thanks for reading this and trying to help, I really appreciate all of that.

Within the MS Answers forum thread there are then the usual hints to tame the Trusted Installer with the standard methods. This includes checking Windows for damage and repairing it if necessary (see Check and repair Windows system files and component store). Further hints are pointing into the direction of emptying the download database for updates with various commands from the command prompt (to exclude defective files as a cause).


Advertising

This MS Answers forum thread, dated January 11, 2018, also deals with high CPU load by the TiWorker, but cannot refer to update KB4480977. Another thread about the error image can be found here. At this point the question: Has anyone still noticed a high CPU load due to the TiWorker process after installing the update KB4480977?

Similar articles:
Windows 10 V1607: Update KB4480977 (01/17/2019)
Windows 10 Network bug in all versions, fix are planned


Advertising

This entry was posted in issue, Update, Windows and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Note: Please note the rules for commenting on the blog (first comments and linked posts end up in moderation, I release them every few hours, I rigorously delete SEO posts/SPAM).