How to solve kernel_task high CPU usage?

[marcel500]

It is not always a heat problem, i had this when my battery was dead. There are several hardware faults that can trigger the kernel tast throttling. If the cpu gets too hot the cpu itself throttles. If there is a problem with the fan or heatsink and it's still too hot, then os x reduces the load on the cpu thats throttled to the minimum clock to an absolute minimum. Kernal task throttling is also activated when one of the sensors apple places everywhere in the macbooks reports a high temperature or is faulty. A faulty sensor is not an uncommon defect.

With all respect but each point you highlighted is connected to heat - so it is clearly a heat problem we have.

 

[clickykbd]

Just want to share for the internet records what worked for me: Short version, it was thermal throttling in my case.

I have a Late 2012 MacMini (quad core) that was exhibiting the commonly mentioned symptoms of high kernal_task cpu usage, often triggered by trying to watch at video on YouTube or stream on Twitch etc etc. System would bog down and and often playback would "hang", especially if more than one stream was being viewed in multiple tabs. Fan would run at a fairly high RPM regardless of what I was doing. I encode a lot of videos too and those were taking much longer than they used to.

I installed a couple temp monitor tools, iStat ruby gem for terminal (free), and trial versions of iStat Menus (non-free), which confirmed my temps were definitely on the high side, at even moderate loads.

I gutted the MacMini and cleaned the fan and radiator (which were dirty, but not excessively so), but probably more importantly, I removed the Heat Sink assembly and installed fresh thermal paste!!

After that, temp monitors confirmed an average improvement of about 6-10degrees, and under full load it doesn't reach above 218deg F anymore. kernel_task CPU hogging has vanished, and all my video playback issues as well. I can now watch 3-5 live streams concurrently in chrome tabs before I start to see any performance issues whatsoever. Just one at 1080p was a struggle before.

Cheers,
Clicky

 

[jp45]

I'm a long-time lurker, first-time poster. As other posters have done, I wanted to share my experience. I had the kernal task high CPU usage problem with my late 2015 iMac (250% CPU, fan at max, very sluggish).

After reading the posts in this thread, I tried various items on one of the extensive checklists (reset SMC, reset PRAM, safe mode, different admin account, etc.). Nothing worked and I was contemplating a trip to an Apple store for repair. Before I took that step I reinstalled the OS (High Sierra) and that did the trick. The iMac is back to normal and all is right with the world. The posts in these forums are a very valuable resource and I wanted to express my appreciation.

 

[Christoffee]

Like many people here I tried many things on my early-2011 MBP (8,2) before resorting to this, but this is an instant fix. So far, no adverse consequences - battery registers and fans are silent.

I heed all the warnings, and I shall keep a close eye on CPU usage and the ability of the computer to apply the fans at the right time. It's a 6 year old computer, so to get another couple of years out of it will be a bonus. So if I blow it up it's not the end of the world. Hopefully it will last until USB-C is better supported and Apple get their MacBook act together.

Many thanks.

EDIT: As others have said, performance is down massively. When encoding videos and audio the CPU works at maximum (according to iStat) but the CPU doesn't get warm, let alone hot, and the process takes much longer. Anecdotally probably 3 times as long. Good news is, my fans will last much longer!

After nearly two years of the old MBP not being used or limping along using the remove a file bodge, I finally decided to take the old bird for a repair. Turns out, like many people have said, it was a bad battery supplying insufficient power. New battery (or, more correctly, old Apple battery) and we are all fixed.

 

[bicecream88]

Hello! I created account so I can give back to this thread that I have been obsessing about the past 4 days.

My macbook pro from mid 2012 like many others here had Kernel_Task at 300% + usage.

My solution, unique to a lot of other solutions here was actually fairly simple. For anyone of you who have a mis-aligned back cover on your macbook, due to drops or whatever damages, you have to make sure your cover is as tight as possible when you are putting it back on. The little metal prongs on the motherboard needs to make contact with the aluminum of the back cover otherwise it will see it as a heating issue. For me none of the temperatures were overboard, it was simply just the back cover being a little loose. So make sure its tightly screwed in so that the prongs touch the board and your mac's Kernel_task should return to normal.

This issue kept me up for 3 nights straight. I am so tired of it, but thank you all for helping me trouble shoot through all this.

P.S. the Kext solution helped me but it was only temporary, it started to throttle within 20 minutes of it rebooting.

 

[Quak Jinn]

My MacBook Pro has been a bit of a problem the last couple of weeks. I started a thread called "MacBook Pro Randomly crashing.

The threads a mess.

Now it's a mid 2010 13inch MacBook Pro with a brand new battery, SSD hard drive. The problem pre-dates these two recent upgrades.

The Macbook was crashing but now this has stopped. Now the MacBook works VERY slowly. Activity Monitor is telling me that a process called "kernel_task" is using 87-93% CPU power.

What is this "kernel_task" and what does it do and how do I stop it? It seems to be throttling my machine.

Also. The battery is no longer recognised. There is an x where the percenatage should be. I bought a new battery but no change.

Help please.

FB

Hi All

I know you all facing the same issue as mine. Me also move the system file as well. But afterward i'm realised the main issue was the hardware that i recently apply. Then i run the AHT (Apple Hardware Test) that was the issue of webcam. I just remove it from my macbook. Reboot it. Boom..... Everything Working Great as usual. My advice for all the person have the same issue as mine (High CPU run = kernal task over 100%). Please run the AHT first of all you will more easier some the problem. Here is the link can be your reference https://apple.co/1WS79gl , https://bit.ly/2Sn8Aft , https://bit.ly/1RXOtxk , https://bit.ly/2DoiDud .

 

[Quak Jinn]

Okay, I seem to have solved the kernel_task PCU drain using this method I stumbled across on the web.

1. Go to About this mac under the apple in the upper left and click on More info
2. Click on system report
3. make a note of what it says after Model Identifier
4. go to your master drive – System -Library – Extensions – IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext -Contents – Plugins – ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin.kext – Contents – Resources – find the name from step 3 and move it to a folder that you can find again if needed.
3. Restart and you’re done
I hope this helps.

Only problem now is the battery won't register, new or old and the fan is running 100% of the time.

[doublepost=1549288753][/doublepost]

Hello! I created account so I can give back to this thread that I have been obsessing about the past 4 days.

My macbook pro from mid 2012 like many others here had Kernel_Task at 300% + usage.

My solution, unique to a lot of other solutions here was actually fairly simple. For anyone of you who have a mis-aligned back cover on your macbook, due to drops or whatever damages, you have to make sure your cover is as tight as possible when you are putting it back on. The little metal prongs on the motherboard needs to make contact with the aluminum of the back cover otherwise it will see it as a heating issue. For me none of the temperatures were overboard, it was simply just the back cover being a little loose. So make sure its tightly screwed in so that the prongs touch the board and your mac's Kernel_task should return to normal.

This issue kept me up for 3 nights straight. I am so tired of it, but thank you all for helping me trouble shoot through all this.

P.S. the Kext solution helped me but it was only temporary, it started to throttle within 20 minutes of it rebooting.

Please run the AHT(Apple Hardware Test) check whether is hardware issue. Usually unusual high cpu on kernal task would be the hardware issue. Me as well. Solve with unplug the webcam.

 

[EK2017]

After Searching for Months about my Kernel Task problem getting above 600% when connected to an external monitor, I finally found the problem!!!
Switched off Automatic Graphic settings in energy settings in Preferences and all is back to normal!!!
FINALLY and such an easy thing that is over looked!!

 

[Tanvir1991]

Have tested this on 10.11 El Capitan.

Apple introduced a new rootless-mode which is activated by default, so also with a root-Shell (sudo) you can't delete important system files, which is IMHO a good decision by Apple.

But for a short test I have deactivated the rootless-mode: sudo nvram boot-args=rootless=0

After a restart I've moved the file to the Desktop (it's a MacBookPro8,1 as you can see):

mv System/Library/Extensions/IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin.kext/Contents/Resources/MacBookPro8_1.plist /Users/Marcel/Desktop/

Now another restart was needed.

It's true this "hackaround" will work - if the MacBook was on Power, all worked fine. But on Battery I got also a sluggish System thanks to nearly 100% CPU usage by the kernel_task.

Now it worked also fine without Power (on Battery only) - no more high cpu usage by the kernel_task.

BUT:

If you do a test with yes > /dev/null (2x on a 2-cores machine, 4x on a 4-cores machine) to produce (2x or 4x) 100% usage of the cores, you will DESTROY your machine for sure after some time. The same would be true if you play a 3D game, ripping a DVD or rendering something - any job with high CPU and GPU usage could destroy your Macbook now. Why?

With the free application smcFanControl you will realize, the fans are working only with around 2.000 rpm and the heat-sensors only "see" around 50 degree celsius.

But normally after some seconds a yes > /dev/null will bring the machine to over 90 degree celsius and the fans will automatically run with the maximum speed of 6.200 rpm.

Now you are WARNED (again) – please don't do this, it's not a solution at all. You could do it if you are happy with a machine which has to have the fans running with 6.200 rpm all the time (you can control this by define a mode like this with the smcFanControl app).

But better put the file back where it has to be in the system, set the file permissions to the standard (owner root, group wheel) by sudo chown root:wheel <path to the plist file you have moved before>

An official Apple Service Provider Repair Center will help you for sure, because it's only a problem with your battery (normally "not original ones", but also original Apple batteries are affected sometimes), let them change it and all will be fine again.

You says that It will works fine on battery. I follow your steps. Now Its works fine on power, But on battery its not working fine. I think there is another step for that. Can you please help me??

 

[posta]

after changing the HDD cable Kernel_task shot to 400%cpu and of course fan at 6000 rpm

AHT reports cooler proximity Th1H temp sensor error Neither SMC reset helped nor the procedure of deleting MacBook-6f0....plist file (presumably corresponding to mbp9,2 model https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how-to-solve-kernel_task-high-cpu-usage.1706948/page-3).In fact all same even during boot when HDD disconnected! Any other ideas please ?Also where can one see the list of all thermal sensors in a1278,mid2012 and where are the kernel panic log files exactly?thanks

 

[Klabauter]

Hi guys!
So I have a MB Pro Retina Late 2013 (MacbookPro11,1) - unfortunately not only the battery is dead, but also something on the mainboard died. I can't charge the battery anymore, not even a new one or with another charger.
The idea now was to run it without any battery!
This works somewhat - the MB at least boots, but is incredibly slow!

Intel Power Gadget revealed the problem every one has according to google - the MB is only running at 800Mhz!

I now followed anything I could find on the net and moved the Mac-189A3D4F975D5FFC.plist file out of its directory and rebooted - no luck! 🙁 Still sits at 800Mhz. I am running MacOS Mojave 10.14.6. Does anybody have any tips for me? I don't want to throw away my beloved MB Pro - would love to builld my own "MacMini" out of it with its own case and no display, keyboard, ... there has to be a way to run it at full power without the battery. Would it maybe help downgrading to an older version of OSX?

Can anyone help on how I get this to run at full speed again? Thanks guys! 🙂

 

[chrfr]

Can anyone help on how I get this to run at full speed again? Thanks guys! 🙂

You need to put in a battery. This is expected behavior.

 

[Klabauter]

I can't do that - due to the damaged part on the mainboard, the macbook will not turn on as soon as I install a battery!
There has to be a way to disabled speedstep, no?!

 

[RadicalxEdward]

I can't do that - due to the damaged part on the mainboard, the macbook will not turn on as soon as I install a battery!
There has to be a way to disabled speedstep, no?!

I'm running a Late 2011 MBP on 10.14.6 High Sierra.

OEM battery, OEM charger and dedicated graphics (radeongate) all died years ago. Aftermarket batt was finally expanding so much it was popping out the trackpad so I pulled it before it explodes and am running on just AC power.

After pulling the battery and updating to the latest high Sierra update I started having the kernel_task 300%+ cpu usage problem (but it's probably not having a battery)

I had to boot to recovery mode to be able to edit the kexts from the post on page 1 (below) which so far seems to have fixed the issue, but like you I'm now limited to 800Mhz, probably because the charging system can't handle the power for higher clock speeds. Even if you could disable the throttling, the computer would likely shutdown the moment it tried to ramp up the clock speed. CPUs need a lot of power.

Okay, I seem to have solved the kernel_task PCU drain using this method I stumbled across on the web.

1. Go to About this mac under the apple in the upper left and click on More info
2. Click on system report
3. make a note of what it says after Model Identifier
4. go to your master drive System -Library Extensions IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext -Contents Plugins ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin.kext Contents Resources find the name from step 3 and move it to a folder that you can find again if needed.
3. Restart and youre done
I hope this helps.

 

[RadicalxEdward]

YES!!! I still had the OEM battery. It doesn't really hold much of a charge. maybe 20 minutes or something, but it's enough to get the system back to 100% cpu available without having to buy a $50+ battery for an almost 10yo laptop.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

[MikB]

… it is clearly a heat problem we have.

A faulty battery is not a "heat problem".

 

[robertoandrade]

I've had this issue on a 15" MBP (mid 2016) for a while now and have always resorted to the fix provided by Viktor in his blog and just recently after upgrading it to Big Sur, repeating that wouldn't cut it. So after continuing the search for an alternative solution I bumped into this answer which kind of blew me away. Sure enough when trying to move the USB-C power connector from the left to the right port on my MBP, the problem went magically away!

 

[robertoandrade]

I've had this issue on a 15" MBP (mid 2016) for a while now and have always resorted to the fix provided by Viktor in his blog and just recently after upgrading it to Big Sur, repeating that wouldn't cut it. So after continuing the search for an alternative solution I bumped into this answer which kind of blew me away. Sure enough when trying to move the USB-C power connector from the left to the right port on my MBP, the problem went magically away!

In line with my last post. Started seeing this again even after having moved the USB-C power from the left to the right connector on my MBP, but since I use 2 external monitors and only having 2 USB-C ports to connect the HDMI adapters on each side, I had opted to leave each monitor plugged in from each side, using the other right-side USB-C connector for power. All had been working fine for months since my last post until today.

Interestingly enough, moving both HDMI adapters to the right-side USB-c ports fixed the issue within seconds. Now when I return the power cord to the left-side USB-C port, the issue returns. I unplug the power cord on the left, and again within seconds the problem goes away.

No matter which left-side USB-c port I plug the power or the HDMI adapter on, the issue seems to come back. So it definitely seems to be related to one of the temperature sensors on the left hand side, assuming as soon as I plug something there the temperature in that area increases.

 

[Emolen]

In line with my last post. Started seeing this again even after having moved the USB-C power from the left to the right connector on my MBP, but since I use 2 external monitors and only having 2 USB-C ports to connect the HDMI adapters on each side, I had opted to leave each monitor plugged in from each side, using the other right-side USB-C connector for power. All had been working fine for months since my last post until today.

Interestingly enough, moving both HDMI adapters to the right-side USB-c ports fixed the issue within seconds. Now when I return the power cord to the left-side USB-C port, the issue returns. I unplug the power cord on the left, and again within seconds the problem goes away.

No matter which left-side USB-c port I plug the power or the HDMI adapter on, the issue seems to come back. So it definitely seems to be related to one of the temperature sensors on the left hand side, assuming as soon as I plug something there the temperature in that area increases.

I joined just to add to this. This is painful all around as my spacebar just fully broke off, anyways... I had the same issues, tried the same fixes as above, which lasted for a while but then it started happening again as stated above. I found that the problem was actually in another connected item, in my case it was an old iMic connected via USB from the external monitor or even just a USBC to USB from the MBP itself. This drove me crazy for days, even weeks until I finally figured out what was causing it do this through the process of elimination. I'm not sure how long it will last and add to that that now I am noticing a large bulge on the underside of the machine which indicates that the battery is shot and likely to cause more damage if I don't go get it serviced soon. All I can say is that this is the worst problem I have ever encountered with the least amount of documentation and the longest troubleshooting experience that is absolutely directionless. I tried everything from updating my OS to SMC/PRAM to hardware testing, etc etc, and it all came down to fluke troubleshooting. I resolved it thus far by hooking up a Bluetooth audio receiver so that I don't have to use the iMic audio device, and so far so good, except for the battery of course...GLTY all

 

[Cho7]

Hi guys!
So I have a MB Pro Retina Late 2013 (MacbookPro11,1) - unfortunately not only the battery is dead, but also something on the mainboard died. I can't charge the battery anymore, not even a new one or with another charger.
The idea now was to run it without any battery!
This works somewhat - the MB at least boots, but is incredibly slow!

Intel Power Gadget revealed the problem every one has according to google - the MB is only running at 800Mhz!

I now followed anything I could find on the net and moved the Mac-189A3D4F975D5FFC.plist file out of its directory and rebooted - no luck! 🙁 Still sits at 800Mhz. I am running MacOS Mojave 10.14.6. Does anybody have any tips for me? I don't want to throw away my beloved MB Pro - would love to builld my own "MacMini" out of it with its own case and no display, keyboard, ... there has to be a way to run it at full power without the battery. Would it maybe help downgrading to an older version of OSX?

Can anyone help on how I get this to run at full speed again? Thanks guys! 🙂

Can you tell me how exactly you deleted that Plist please because no matter what I try i am not able to.

 

[Cho7]

I have a Macbook Pro and a 4K Imac that were both becoming unusable due to this Kernel throttling both machines to death. Sometimes up to 3,000% CPU!!

I deleted MacBookPro5_5.plist and now it operates like the day I bought it.

I want to do the same with my Imac but it denies me the authority to delete this file saying I do not have "ownership".

Can anyone explain how to take ownership and delete this file please?

Mac-42FD25EABCABB274.plist / iMac15,1


WHERE:
System/Library/Extensions/IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/X86PlatformPlugin.kext/Contents/Resources

Even if I try to change this .plists file or ownership attributes I get this..