So the other day, my desktop suddenly started lagging for no apparent reason. I checked the task manager and saw that “Service Host: Windows Push Notifications User Service” had the highest RAM usage. The worst part was the memory usage was continuously increasing and it was using multiple gigabytes of memory.
I tried to end the service, but it started again after some time. First I thought it was malware, then I tried the malware removal guide to scan for malware and viruses, but no luck.
I tried almost every solution available on the internet but still no luck. I was almost going to reset my PC then I finally found a solution which actually worked.
Contents
Why WpnUserService use high RAM?
Actually, the notification database in Windows gets corrupted that’s why it starts to use all the available RAM. This can be easily fixed by deleting the corrupt database. To do so follow the below guide.
- First, you need to boot Windows in safe mode.
- To do so search for msconfig in the start menu and launch it.
- Here switch to the boot tab, and select the safe boot option.
- In the safe boot option select Minimal and apply the settings.
- Now restart your PC and your PC will boot into safe mode.
- Once you’re in safe boot. Right-click the start menu and select Run.
- In the run Windows type %localappdata% and press enter.
- In App data folder navigate to Microsoft -> Windows.
- In the Windows folder, you will find a folder named notification.
- Just delete or rename and folder, don’t worry the notification database folder will regenerate after restarting.
- Now you need to exit safe boot. Again search for msconfig and open it.
- Switch to the boot tab and uncheck safe boot.
- Now restart your PC and windows push notifications user service high memory usage will be fixed.
Here are a few other methods using which you can fix this error.
Recommended – What is Service Host SuperFetch? Fix Its High Disk Usage
Disable Notification Services
You can disable the notification since you will disable the notification you won’t get important notifications about Windows Defender and Windows Update.
- Right-click the Start menu and select settings.
- In Settings search for notification and action.
- Here under notification turn off everything.
- Restart you’re PC and you won’t face high memory usages in windows push notifications user service.
Disable WpnUserService Service
You can also try to completely disable this service.
- Search for services.msc in the start menu and launch it.
- Here look for Windows Push Notification Service and double click it.
- Stop the service and from the startup type select disable.
- Apply the changes and reboot your PC.
I hope you have fixed Windows Push Notifications User Service High Memory Usage. If you face any problems then let me know in the comment section.
Hi, I have tried the first option, but the folder “notifications” is simply not there. Can it be hidden somewhere else? The second option does not work unfortunately, windows just turns it back on when you leave settings. The third option stalls when you disable the function, the dialog box then ask for start parameters. Unless you enter these, you cannot disable the function.
Do you have other tips? Thanls, Arjan
Hi,
The notification settings should be there.
Go to setting and there search for notifications.
The notification method worked for me.
What should i type in the start parameters box
Should be %localappdata% not %appdata% 😊
Both are same, doesn’t matter
no is not same…..the comand with local found it Anonumous is right
They’re not the same.
%localappdata% is /Users/[name]/AppData/Local
%appdata% is /Users/[name]/AppData/Roaming which is not where the folder is located.
😊
Thanks for the correction.
Had this problem as well. Looks like this page fixed it (with local app data).
Thanks everyone!
Thanks for the help. Yes, I too got confused and needed to find the Local app data. %appdata% went to Roaming. When Notifications folder wasn’t there I guessed and looked in Local. Perhaps I should have read comments before starting. Or, can you edited the original article? Either way, thanks, my PC is more responsive now.
Updated
Been having this issue for months. Like you, I tried everything I could find on the internet with no success until I found this article today. Deleted the notifications file as suggested and it’s finally worked!
Thank you.
I disabled the windows push notification using service.msc but still the wpn is still running and using my ram
I’ve been struggling with this for awhile. None of the other solutions I found were effective. this seems to be working, thank you.
Genuinely thank you, after looking to see how to fix this everywhere this simple safe boot and then deletion of the notifications folder sorted it!
Options 2 and 3 didn’t work. Option 1 did work and fixed the problem.
Thank you for posting this fix.
Not sure if this thread is still active.. but the Microsoft folder doesn’t appear for me in localappdata, any suggestions?
option 1 worked for me too 🙂 Thanks – i was ready to can windows 🙂
Worked great thank you.