mahtia

Q: powerd in Activity Monitor is using 100% CPU, MacBook sounds like a jet lifting off

Ever since I upgraded from Mountain Lion to El Capitan on my Late 2009 MacBook, powerd in Activity Monitor often uses 100% CPU for more than 5 minutes.

 

Quitting Activity Monitor helps, only until I open AM again, which I have open all the time. Restarting helps, but it just happens again and again, especially running iTunes.

 

I recently installed a 1TB SSD from OWC, and clean installed El Capitan with Migration Assistant. I have never used Clean My Mac App. I read something about Nap App causing this problem.

 

Any thoughts anyone?

MacBook, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), late 2009 model

Posted on May 31, 2016 10:28 PM

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Q: powerd in Activity Monitor is using 100% CPU, MacBook sounds like a jet lifting off

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  • Helpful answers

  • by theratter,

    theratter theratter May 31, 2016 10:39 PM in response to mahtia
    Level 4 (3,907 points)
    Desktops
    May 31, 2016 10:39 PM in response to mahtia

    Turn off Power Nap. Most likely you don't need it.

     

    Try each of these in order. Test to see if the computer is working properly:

     

    1. Reset the PRAM
    2. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
    3. Start the computer in Safe Mode, then restart normally. This is slower than a standard startup.
    4. Repair the disk by booting the from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
    5. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
    6. Download and Install OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 Combo Update.


    [Permission to use part or all of the above has been granted by Kappy, exclusively, to theratter.]



  • by mahtia,

    mahtia mahtia May 31, 2016 11:19 PM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 31, 2016 11:19 PM in response to theratter

    I appreciate your speedy reply. I have already done everything except the SMC and Reinstall OS X.

    I will need a few days before I can make time to reinstall.

    I am considering turning off Power Nap/App Nap for just iTunes and Activity Monitor,

    because my battery is not lasting long.

    Thank you!

  • by Esquared,Helpful

    Esquared Esquared Jun 1, 2016 1:17 AM in response to mahtia
    Level 6 (8,415 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 1, 2016 1:17 AM in response to mahtia

    If your battery is worn out, that also could be the cause of the symptoms you describe. What status and cycle count does it show?

    Determining battery cycle count for Mac notebooks - Apple Support

  • by mahtia,

    mahtia mahtia Jun 1, 2016 1:16 AM in response to Esquared
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 1, 2016 1:16 AM in response to Esquared

    Thank you Esquared, I learned the shortcut to system information, and the battery information I did not know was there.

    Alas, it is not the problem. It was fully charged as I usually use it plugged in, in normal condition, and 91/1000 cycles used.

    It is a Newer Tech battery I replaced a few years ago. I think it only lasts about 2-4 hours though.

    It was worth checking!