Have you ever come across a term called Service Host? If you have not then let me tell you if you encounter this host process from windows services using your microphone then it is somewhere related to the service host is related to the term.
Service Host or svchost.exe is actually a host that helps in loading the DLL files. It keeps a check through the DLL if there are errors in the system or any required driver updates. Whether you require any updates or not. The host services are varied. For instance, if you look at the services option in the control panel, you will see many hosts. All these hosts act as a bridge to keep in check the status of your drivers and any possible errors.
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Now, in regards to the host using the microphone, if the windows services is using it, for most of the part it is not a problem. It becomes a problem when other applications can’t detect your Microphone if it is being used for host process, that’s where the problem can creep in. So, generally, if you are not able to use a microphone with other applications this becomes mandatory to stop this host process to use a microphone so that it can be used by the app you want.
In case it does happen, you can check for driver issues or any physical issues with the microphone.
In order to check the access point, you need to go here:
Settings>>Privacy>>Microphone>>Check for the host folder on the right side of the screen. It will show you all the apps that have access to your microphone. However, I have also mentioned some other fixes and you can check it out here:
What Enables the Host to Process Windows Service?
Hosts act as common linkages that are often used by applications either to update or upgrade themselves and access more of your files as well as devices attached to your computer. Windows use it too to fetch data for various purposes. A PC can simply get overwhelmed when it has to shift through this enormous data.
So Windows has an inbuilt service host termed scvhost.exe which is essentially your host service, it’s the alternate name for the feature to be organized into different chunks of the group that can be interrelated or integrated. You can classify these host services as hierarchies that are very nuanced and precise. It is generally how an application accesses a microphone. It’s how windows have data on your motherboard and chipset. This will also determine your updates to be recommended by Windows.
Fix: Host Process for Windows Services Using a Microphone
Check if its a virus or not
You can open the task manager and check it. Let us understand it in a step-by-step process form:
- Please right-click in the taskbar and click on the task manager
- Now you can see the process window, and open it.
- As soon as you open if you scroll down you will see the term ‘Service Host’
- You need to look for the ‘Service Host: Phone Service’
- Once you find the term, right-click on it and select Open file location.
- As soon as you find that the location is not in the system32 folder. Run a malware scan.
- If you find the virus and delete it, check the microphone window in settings and see if the host folder is still currently in use.
From personal experience, I can tell you the first fix to try should be this. If a virus is causing this problem, trust me there is a possibility of sensitive data leakage especially snooping can happen if your microphone is always connected to your PC. So, this fix should be done in absolute immediacy.
Perform a Clean Boot and Use the Resource Monitor
One more fix that will be worth trying will be first to perform a clean boot and then sift through the programs in the resource monitor and find the odd application or the program that is hogging your memory. Here are the steps of the process:
- You need to press ‘Windows + R’ to open run dialog box
- Now type in ‘msconfig’ and then hit enter.
- Click on ‘services’ window
- At the bottom, you will see an option called ‘hide all Microsoft services’ with a checkbox. Click on the checkbox
- Then click on ‘Disable all’ and then ‘ok’
- Now move to the startup option
- From there select the ‘open the task manager’ option
- Now again go to ‘startup’ and remember at the bottom you will have the ‘Disable’ option, click on it.
- Now restart your PC and look at a particular service host. If you can’t see it, try enabling some programs and check if any service has been running along with it.
- Check the service host by expanding it to make sure it’s exactly the microphone that you will be disabling. Once identified, proceed with disabling the service..
- Press ‘Window + R’ and then type in ‘services.msc’ and hit enter
- In the services dialog box check the name of the service that you found to be problematic
- Right-click on it and select ‘properties’
- Then choose ‘disabled’ from the list box ‘startup’
- Then select ‘stop’
- Then click on ‘ok’
- Restart the program and check if the problem is resolved or not
I love this fix, you have to look at the intricate ways in which you can identify the error. Go through it and perform as mentioned in the steps. The fix goes into the processual mannerisms of the problem, hence it’s a permanent fix.
Change Sound Settings
Windows host process Rundll32 using a microphone is another problem for you. The Rundll32 is a program that helps windows read dll files in order to share them with the application or a device. If this is enabled, there is a chance that your microphone is being used. You can disable it through sound settings. You can also try this fix which is 100% workable however you have to repeatedly activate the process again and again. Here’s the process:
- Right-click on the bottom sound icon
- You need to select ‘open sound settings’
- Then on the right side, you need to choose from the list of sound control panel
- Now you have to go to the option called a headset.
- Now open it and select ‘Don’t use this device (disabled)’.
- Select ‘ok’, and check if the changes have happened or not.
If none of the fixes work there is a chance that there might have been possible corruption of files. You can take up file-fixing software. Repair Toolbox is good software, it comes with various applications that help in repairing windows. As compared to other fixes, ‘file fixing software’ seems to be the best alternative. The error itself can occur due to a variety of reasons exploring every nook and corner won’t be feasible. Try the steps to check if it works or not. The resource monitor fix has more chance for working.
Stop Listening
- Open CONTROL PANEL
- Then go to HARDWARE & SOUND or ALL CONTROL PANEL ITEMS and then click on SOUND
- Then go to the Recording tab
- Now, click on the microphone or any default device you use for the microphone.
- Then got that device’s properties
- Now, Go to Listen tab
- Uncheck “LISTEN TO THIS DEVICE”
FAQs:
Q. Should I allow the host process for system services?
You cannot stop essential host services. The point being the essential host services are loading through the DLL and it keeps the system stable. If you delete an essential service, your system might crash badly.
Q. Is Windows Host processing the Rundll32 virus?
This host is not a virus, it is critical in the maintenance of your system. It reads and interprets all 32bit DLLs part of your PC.
Q. Why is my service host’s local system using so much CPU?
This happens generally when the service host gets stuck with the CPU and is not able to resume services. This causes a tool and stress on the CPU and makes it inefficient to function.
Final Words
This piece tries its best to fix the windows host service, especially using the MIC. I have suggested reasons based on various fixes that have worked for me. If you do all the steps correctly you will get your fix too.