There are ways to clean the WMI repository
One of which I use is:
1. Stop Windows Management Instrumentation(WMI) service。 2. Delete all the files in C:\windows\system32\wbem\Repository folder 3. Start Windows Management Instrumentation(WMI) service or reboot computer.
restarting SEP works, does that mean SEP service is stopped (SMC, rtvscan.exe)?