HalexPereira

Q: kernel_task is using 100% CPU when waking from sleep

Since updating my 13" mid-2013 MacBook Air to Mavericks, there's this issue that's been happening when I wake the computer up from sleep. A proccess called kernel_task uses 100% CPU (a whole core) and hangs there until the computer is restarted. This doesn't make the computer unresponsive, but it kills battery life.

 

So far, I've tried the following:

 

1. Resetting SMC, NVRAM and PRAM: no effect.

2. Safe Boot: the issue doesn't happen.

3. Deleting old apps/plugins: issue persists.

4. Closing all apps doesn't solve issue after it takes place.

5. Repairing permissions: no effect.

6. Apple Diagnostics: no issue found in hardware.

7. No kernel extensions from third-parties are installed (there are 120 kext, according to Terminal, but they all come from Apple).

8. Everything is up to date.

9. Only external plugin installed is Flash.

 

Given these, I reckon it's something software-related. Any tips on solving this would be welcome — things to look for in Console logs would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2013), OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 28, 2013 12:03 PM

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Q: kernel_task is using 100% CPU when waking from sleep

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  • by Roy So,

    Roy So Roy So Nov 2, 2013 10:00 AM in response to HalexPereira
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 2, 2013 10:00 AM in response to HalexPereira

    Same here on my new MacBook Pro Retina 13 inch 2013.

     

    Apple should do something to this problem.

     

    Screen Shot 2013-11-03 at 12.59.02 am.png

  • by SundanceX,Helpful

    SundanceX SundanceX Nov 2, 2013 5:05 PM in response to HalexPereira
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 2, 2013 5:05 PM in response to HalexPereira

    I had the same problem on a MacBook Air 2013 on which I had done a complete reinstallation of Maverics from rescue disc and it seems I have actually found a SOLUTION to this...

     

    kernel_task was using 100% CPU and this is what powermetrics said...

     

    Machine model: MacBookAir6,1

    OS version: 13A603

     

    ****  Interrupt distribution ****

     

    CPU 0:

              Vector 0x46(SMC): 2.80 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0x49(MacBookAir6,1): 111.89 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0x92(IGPU): 265.74 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0x96(HDEF): 218867.39 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0x98(ARPT): 7.19 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0x9e(SSD0): 0.60 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xdd(TMR): 308.49 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xde(IPI): 135.07 interrupts/sec

    CPU 1:

              Vector 0xdd(TMR): 15.58 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xde(IPI): 48.35 interrupts/sec

    CPU 2:

              Vector 0xdd(TMR): 482.12 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xde(IPI): 477.92 interrupts/sec

    CPU 3:

              Vector 0xdd(TMR): 215.19 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xde(IPI): 229.97 interrupts/sec

     

    Now I noticed I had VLC running in the background and closed that. Then I also found quite a few hanging processes named QTKitServer-(####) Safari Web Content... - I killed the first of these and the CPU usage went right back to normal levels.

     

    So I am not sure if the problem was caused by VLC or the hanging QTKitServer process but you might try killing both and check if that helps. It sure solved my problem.

  • by HalexPereira,

    HalexPereira HalexPereira Nov 2, 2013 5:10 PM in response to SundanceX
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 2, 2013 5:10 PM in response to SundanceX

    It's interesting you mentioned the nonresponsive QTKitServer process, because I've been noticing it lurking around in Activity Monitor. I don't have VLC installed, though — I had Perian, however, but I recently removed it to no avail.

     

    One thing I never noticed was if QTKitServer was around when the kernel_rask went haywire. I'll look into it, next time I have the chance.

  • by nikolay_boev,

    nikolay_boev nikolay_boev Nov 2, 2013 7:29 PM in response to HalexPereira
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 2, 2013 7:29 PM in response to HalexPereira

    I have been experiencing the same issue after upgrading to Mavericks, Mid-2013 11" MacBook Air. The last time this happened, I had speakers plugged in to the headphone jack playing music, which agrees with some of the posts here saying this is related to playing music with headphones connected.

     

    The powermetrics also show exactly the same abnormally high level of HDEF interrupts:

     

    ****  Interrupt distribution ****

     

     

    CPU 0:

              Vector 0x49(MacBookAir6,1): 25.89 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0x93(IGPU): 833.52 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0x96(HDEF): 194291.70 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0x98(ARPT): 11.95 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0x9e(SSD0): 2.99 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xdd(TMR): 301.74 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xde(IPI): 152.36 interrupts/sec

    CPU 1:

              Vector 0xdd(TMR): 18.92 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xde(IPI): 134.44 interrupts/sec

    CPU 2:

              Vector 0xdd(TMR): 296.76 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xde(IPI): 896.26 interrupts/sec

    CPU 3:

              Vector 0xdd(TMR): 129.46 interrupts/sec

              Vector 0xde(IPI): 448.13 interrupts/sec

  • by gius92,

    gius92 gius92 Nov 3, 2013 10:55 AM in response to HalexPereira
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 10:55 AM in response to HalexPereira

    I have the same issue on MacBook Pro Retina 13" (Late 2013).

    I thought that is an Hardware Problem, but now i saw this topic and i noticed that i have always Apple Earpod connected!

    Now i'm trying to disconnect headphones, and it seems that the process kernel_tastk returns to normal state.

    When occurs the issue, the interrupt are the same, the problem is HDEF and related kext AppleHDA.

    I tryed to install AppleHDA kext from Mountain Lion but Mavericks don't load these.

    Do you think it is only a software problem?

    I hope that Apple releases a fix.

  • by ts1392,

    ts1392 ts1392 Nov 3, 2013 6:10 PM in response to HalexPereira
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 6:10 PM in response to HalexPereira

    having the same issue!

     

    retina macbook pro 13" late 2013

     

    not using headphones here.. but itunes running with music..

    gonna try a few things to see if it helps.. rebooting everytime I wake my computer up seems to kill the point of putting it to sleep in the first place :/

  • by John_Raz,

    John_Raz John_Raz Nov 4, 2013 12:16 AM in response to HalexPereira
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2013 12:16 AM in response to HalexPereira

    Having the same issue on my MacBookAir 13" (2013).

     

    I have fixed the issue replacing the AppleHDA.kext driver with the one from Mountain Lion 10.8.5.

    Still waiting Apple to fix the issue.

  • by Roy So,

    Roy So Roy So Nov 4, 2013 12:17 AM in response to John_Raz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2013 12:17 AM in response to John_Raz

    Would you provide the steps and files? Thanks a lot

  • by Jayk2,

    Jayk2 Jayk2 Nov 4, 2013 2:02 AM in response to John_Raz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2013 2:02 AM in response to John_Raz

    Hi, if you have fixed this by replacing the AppleHDA.kext driver please share and let us know how.

  • by gius92,

    gius92 gius92 Nov 4, 2013 2:22 AM in response to HalexPereira
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2013 2:22 AM in response to HalexPereira

    On my MacBook Pro Retina 13" (late 2013) I replaced the AppleHDA.kext with one from Mountain Lion 10.8.5 but there is no Audio Device in System Preferences. Perhaps the Mountain Lion Kext does not support Audio Device of last MacBook released at october; or have I done something wrong.

  • by Jayk2,

    Jayk2 Jayk2 Nov 4, 2013 2:46 AM in response to gius92
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2013 2:46 AM in response to gius92

    Thanks for the info. A "How-To" replace the files and where to get the files from would be great though.

  • by John_Raz,

    John_Raz John_Raz Nov 4, 2013 4:05 AM in response to HalexPereira
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2013 4:05 AM in response to HalexPereira

    Here how i have replace the AppleHDA.kext driver on my MacBookAir 13" (2013):

     

    sudo mv /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext.disabled
    sudo cp -pr AppleHDA.10.8.5.kext /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext
    sudo chown -R root:wheel /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext
    sudo touch  /System/Library/Extensions
    

     

    Then reboot

     

    Here the link to AppleHDA driver of Mountain Lion 10.8.5: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/112112/AppleHDA.10.8.5.kext.zip

  • by HalexPereira,

    HalexPereira HalexPereira Nov 4, 2013 4:24 AM in response to John_Raz
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 4, 2013 4:24 AM in response to John_Raz

    Kudos for you, but I wouldn't know what is going on in these command lines. I trust people who are not as savvy as you will exercise due caution when trying this method.

  • by John_Raz,

    John_Raz John_Raz Nov 4, 2013 4:38 AM in response to HalexPereira
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2013 4:38 AM in response to HalexPereira

    If you afraid to use command line you can use

    Kext Wizard: http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7085278/Kext_Wizard/download.html

    to install and backup the driver.

     

    Instruction here: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/253395-kext-wizard-easy-to-use-kext-insta ller-and-more/

     

    For the destination use: System/Library/Extensions

  • by Roy So,

    Roy So Roy So Nov 4, 2013 10:16 PM in response to John_Raz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2013 10:16 PM in response to John_Raz

    Thank you very much, but it doesn't work on my rmbp 2013. The audio function keys do not work after replacing the the kext of 10.8.5.

     

    I have restored the original one. Waiting for apple.

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