launchd constantly using CPU

Check the console app for repeated messages. Most likely something not found; throttling respawn.
If you can identify what it is (the name will be something like com.companyname.program.plist.

It might be tied to a program you deleted, but did not uninstall the launch agent/daemon.

I'm having a similar problem. "launchd" is using a consistent 8% CPU time. But I can't find anything that I can interpret as relevant in system logs. It's just burning CPU cycles for nothing.

I too am having trouble for a couple days now with Launchd running at ~12% with no other significant CPU usage shown in listed processes yet Activity Monitor shows 27% user and 20% system with overall cpu load at 50% on my macBook Pro with no other apps running (except Activity Monitor).

Following the comment about rebooting in Safe Mode, i've rebooted to see the previously expected 98% idle CPU.
I've looked in console, and don't see anything i know to be significant (such as the plist suggestion) The only thing i can see is a CS4 Version Cue message which i am trying to remove from the mix now by removing Version Cue and restarting.

The only other anecdotal change i can think of was updating iTunes the other day via Software Update. I've removed the iTunes Helper from the Startup list in the System Prefs:Accounts app & restarted with no success in alleviating the 50% CPU load.

Any assistance appreciated, as when i try to run apps to do work, i run at almost 100% CPU and my laptop get really really hot/useless battery. Thanks!

Uninstalling CS4 Version Cue has resolved my problems.
The odd thing is, i re-installed Version Cue off the Adobe CS4 Disc and the CPU problem returned, so i un-installed Version Cue again.

This worked for me too. I uninstalled version cue and voila, the "airplane"'s engines stopped running (ie my fan turned off 30 seconds later).

No idea *** is happening with Version Cue, but it is clearly out of control and needs a sedative....

I have had problems sync services and apps like ical, isync, MS Entourage ect... Here is what worked for me:


1. Determine which apps are having Sync / Syncserver problems or are hogging the CPU. Launch the Console.app from ~ Applications/Utilities. In the top left frame of the window click "All Messages", then type in the wordfilter "sync", that will allow you to see what apps are having sync problems.


2. Monitor CPU Load and processes. Launch Activity Monitor.app from ~ Applications/Utilities, then click the "CPU" label in column field so you have a triangle facing down. This will allow you to see what processes are hogging up the CPU.

Note: if your having a SyncServer process growing and running up to 99 percent, just quit the process by clicking on the process listed in the Activity Monitor, then click the "Quit Process" icon, then click the "Quit" button.


3. SyncServer files and folders. SyncServer will create new files and folders as required; Just go to ~Library/Application Support/SyncServices/Local/

a. Rename all the files and folders ( i.e. change admin.syncdb to junkadmin.syncdb)

b. Launch isync, or ical. watch the old files and folders disappear, and new folders and files are created; during this process you can what the processes and CPU load in the Activity Monitor.app.


NOTE: if your not syncing mobile devices, sync data between apps on the same computer, using mobileme, ect... go into your iSync preferences and verify that "Enable syncing on this computer" is unchecked.

Best wishes,

Uninstalling Version Cue CS4 did the trick for me too.

Having had several program failing to start up and seeing the high CPU usage of "launchd" I read this thread and deleted VersionCue cs3.
Hey presto! all is well. The CPU usage fell from 49% to about 1% and no program has failed to start up so far.
THANKS.

How do you uninstall VersionCue?