This article will guide you on how to monitor the performance of your Windows VPS in real-time using Task Manager and troubleshoot server slowness issues.
Task Manager Overview
Task Manager is a vital tool that provides real-time data on CPU and memory (RAM) usage. It helps you identify and terminate processes that could be slowing down your server. If your Windows VPS starts running slower or apps become unresponsive, the first step is to open Task Manager. You can access Task Manager by:
- Typing "Task Manager" in the Start menu search and selecting the result.
- Right-clicking the Taskbar and choosing "Task Manager."
The Processes tab displays all active apps and background processes.
The Performance tab provides visual graphs showing CPU, memory, and network activity.
High CPU Usage
If your server slows down after running some programs, check the Processes tab to see which apps or processes are consuming excessive CPU and RAM. If a particular program is consistently using all the server's CPU, this may be the cause of the slowdown. You can manually close the application or terminate it through Task Manager by selecting "End Task" on the offending process.
However, terminating a process may result in loss of unsaved data, so it’s recommended to save your work beforehand. If you’re unsure about a process, right-click it and select "Search online" to learn more about it.
Two common Windows processes that might increase CPU usage are WmiPrvSE.exe and svchost.exe. WmiPrvSE.exe, also known as the WMI Provider Host process, is essential for allowing other applications to request system information. If it consumes too much CPU, it may indicate an issue with other running processes. Restarting the WMI Provider Host service via the Services menu or diagnosing the issue with Event Viewer may resolve the problem.
On the other hand, svchost.exe is a legitimate system-critical process that can sometimes be associated with malware. If it causes CPU and memory spikes, review the associated processes and search for more information online if needed.
High RAM Usage
High CPU and RAM usage are often caused by resource-intensive applications. In Task Manager’s Processes tab, monitor memory usage for processes with constantly increasing RAM consumption. Restarting the offending app or software may resolve the issue.
If you notice high memory usage but cannot identify the source, your server may be infected with a virus. In this case, perform a security scan. Additionally, if an application is consuming significant memory, check its system requirements—your server may need a RAM upgrade to handle the load effectively.
Both CPU and RAM usage can be temporarily reduced by rebooting your server from the management page. However, this will terminate all running processes, so ensure no critical tasks are active before proceeding.
Server Usage Graphs
You can also monitor your server's performance by viewing usage graphs for CPU, memory, and network traffic on your server's management page. If the CPU usage frequently reaches 100%, you should log in to your VPS and open Task Manager to investigate further.
Maintaining CPU usage below 100% is crucial, as exceeding this threshold for more than 59 minutes is not allowed on our servers. If this limit is exceeded, a CPU limitation may be imposed on your server.
Finally, if your server lacks sufficient resources to run desired applications, consider upgrading to a larger plan. Ensure that your VPS plan meets the requirements of your software before upgrading or ordering a new server.
