Kernel_Task generating tens of thousands of threads, slows computer

[jggorman]

Since updating my MacPro 2009 (5,1 firmware) to High Sierra (all versions, now on 10.13.2), it generates thousands of threads per hour (about 5-10 thousand per hour). Before long I am running tens of thousands of threads and after about 50K or so my computer starts slowing down unbearably and I need to restart. I've tried starting up in safe mode and this does not help. I've tried a new account login and this does not help. Strange to me is that my other computers running High Sierra don't even have a Kernel_Task listed in Activity Monitor. Any help would be appreciated. If I do a clean install, I will never remember all that stuff I've installed which was running fine before High Sierra. I have a 1gb SSD, 48gb of ram and a GTX-980ti installed (all worked great on Sierra).

 

[dsemf]

Since updating my MacPro 2009 (5,1 firmware) to High Sierra (all versions, now on 10.13.2), it generates thousands of threads per hour (about 5-10 thousand per hour). Before long I am running tens of thousands of threads and after about 50K or so my computer starts slowing down unbearably and I need to restart. I've tried starting up in safe mode and this does not help. I've tried a new account login and this does not help. Strange to me is that my other computers running High Sierra don't even have a Kernel_Task listed in Activity Monitor. Any help would be appreciated. If I do a clean install, I will never remember all that stuff I've installed which was running fine before High Sierra. I have a 1gb SSD, 48gb of ram and a GTX-980ti installed (all worked great on Sierra).

In Activity Monitor, View >> All Processes needs to be set to see the kernel_task, along with all other tasks not owned by the current user.

Mine is currently sitting at 141 threads and does not appear to change.

Since you have tried safe mode and a different user I am wondering if it might be hardware related. I would try a minimum system: boot disk, wired keyboard and mouse, monitor, no network, in safe mode.

DS

 

[jggorman]

In Activity Monitor, View >> All Processes needs to be set to see the kernel_task, along with all other tasks not owned by the current user.

Mine is currently sitting at 141 threads and does not appear to change.

Since you have tried safe mode and a different user I am wondering if it might be hardware related. I would try a minimum system: boot disk, wired keyboard and mouse, monitor, no network, in safe mode.

DS

Thanks for the suggestion. I did turn the network off and that did not work. I did suspect a usb issue. Let me give that a try, great idea. [later...] Wow! So I did what you suggested and it seems to be stable right now at a 174 threads, and that is not even in safe mode, just unplugged my additional drives and all usb except my keyboard and Wacom tablet. This should make it much easier to trouble shoot. Thanks! [update] So i plugged back in all my drives and still no kernel_task problem. It is indeed starting to look as though it is some USB device. I am so thankful. I was dreading having to reinstall the system. [update] Wow and double wow. It was a wired xbox 360 controller causing the runaway thread count. I am stable at about 225 threads with it disconnected. That I can live with. Thanks so much! Problem appears to be solved. Now I have something specific to look for with that xbox controller and drivers. Thanks again dsemf, you did good and I am very grateful to you. [update] I was able to switch the XBox 360 wired controller to a USB 2.0 port and then it did not cause the kernel_task problem with increasing threads. [update] The problem is definitely fixed, no thread increase after a full day.

 

[dsemf]

Thanks for the feedback, glad you got it working.

DS