We’re experiencing significant performance issues on an Azure VM configured with E8s_v5 specs (8 vCPUs, 64GB RAM). When SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is running but idle (no data processing), the VM slows to a near halt, even with minimal SQL queries. Key observations: SSAS is idle , yet the system experiences high CPU and memory usage. Running a simple 128-line SQL query results in dramatic slowdowns, rendering the VM nearly unresponsive. The VM resources (64GB RAM) and configuration seem sufficient to handle these services, and the SQL Server memory has been capped to allow room for SSAS. Troubleshooting Steps Already Taken: Verified that SSAS is the root cause by starting/stopping the service. Adjusted SQL Server memory to 30GB and SSAS memory limits to 12GB (LowMemoryLimit) and 16GB (TotalMemoryLimit). No significant background processes consuming resources. Looking for guidance on: Why an idle SSAS service might cause such significant resource contention. Recommended configurations or troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue. Thanks so much!

SSAS Idle Causing High Resource Usage on Azure VM

Peter Fellows 0

We’re experiencing significant performance issues on an Azure VM configured with E8s_v5 specs (8 vCPUs, 64GB RAM). When SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is running but idle (no data processing), the VM slows to a near halt, even with minimal SQL queries.

Key observations:

SSAS is idle, yet the system experiences high CPU and memory usage.
Running a simple 128-line SQL query results in dramatic slowdowns, rendering the VM nearly unresponsive.
The VM resources (64GB RAM) and configuration seem sufficient to handle these services, and the SQL Server memory has been capped to allow room for SSAS.

Troubleshooting Steps Already Taken:

Verified that SSAS is the root cause by starting/stopping the service.
Adjusted SQL Server memory to 30GB and SSAS memory limits to 12GB (LowMemoryLimit) and 16GB (TotalMemoryLimit).
No significant background processes consuming resources.

Looking for guidance on:

Why an idle SSAS service might cause such significant resource contention.
Recommended configurations or troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue.

Thanks so much!

Akshay kumar Mandha 1,655 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-27T07:11:54.1533333+00:00

Hi Peter Fellows,
Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A Platform! Thank you for asking your question here
We are reviewing your query why it is SSAS is idle causing high resource usage on Azure VM will update you shortly.!
Akshay kumar Mandha 1,655 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-27T11:46:19.3666667+00:00

Hi Peter Fellows,
Is that running good previously or is this the first time you're setting it up? if you provide this information better, we can assist you easy to identify the issue and it is helps to resolve the issue quickly
Peter Fellows 0 Reputation points

2024-11-27T14:03:20.45+00:00

Hello,

Yes it runs great without SSAS active. Once SSAS is active and just idle, the CPU jumps to nearly 100% usage and the rest of the VM slows to a near halt. The E8s_v5 specs seem like more than enough to be able to run sql and ssas at the same time, let alone the ssas just being idle.
Akshay kumar Mandha 1,655 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-28T12:40:54.3266667+00:00

Hi Peter Fellows,
we understand your concern we are looking into the issue, is that SSAS is working fine before when it is active in the VM or this is the first you are doing this process
Peter Fellows 0 Reputation points

2024-11-28T17:45:20.2033333+00:00

Before activating SSAS for the first time, the VM performed exceptionally well with no issues. After SSAS was activated (even without processing any data), the VM's performance deteriorated significantly. The CPU usage shoots up to nearly 100%, rendering the entire system unresponsive.
Peter Fellows 0 Reputation points

2024-11-28T17:49:05.8366667+00:00

This issue isn’t about how SSAS performs under load—it hasn’t been used for any data processing yet. Simply having SSAS active in an idle state is consuming nearly 100% of the CPU, causing the VM to fail even when running a basic SQL query. This was not the case before SSAS was activated.
Akshay kumar Mandha 1,655 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-29T08:27:01.43+00:00

Hi Peter Fellows,
Thanks for your information, we got your point could you please refer below documentation for troubleshooting & let us know
Performance counters

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SSAS Idle Causing High Resource Usage on Azure VM

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