High kernel_task CPU usage by no reason and macbook pro 2018 shuts down with drained battery

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Level 1

8 points

High kernel_task CPU usage by no reason and macbook pro 2018 shuts down with drained battery

I have a recent 15’’ MacBook Pro from 2018 that has been working fine till the last months but recently I’m having random shutdowns with high Kernel_task CPU usage. I've seen other users reporting this too...

Usually happens while using Photoshop/Lightroom, where I notice that it slows down drastically, first just an app and then the entire computer. Upon inspecting the Activity Monitor I noticed that kernel_task was using upwards of +500% CPU usage.

I tried to close apps but eventually it completely froze and shut down.

When powering it back on, I noticed that the battery was at 0% despite having been plugged in for the past few hours. Weird!

I’m using my Macbook along with a 4K monitor from LG plugged with a UCB-C to HDMI cable + an Wacom Tablet + Logitech external mouse and keyboard. The power cable was plugged to an USB-C port of my HooToo dongle (not directly to a computer port).

Any help?

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Apr 25, 2019 3:47 AM

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Answer 1

etresoft

Level 9

56,212 points

Apr 25, 2019 4:46 AM in response to bgarcia_pt

On my machine, this happened because of a failing dongle. Try a different dongle.

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Answer 2

bgarcia_pt Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 25, 2019 10:44 AM in response to etresoft

Thanks @etresoft for the reply. How did you find that it was your dongle causing the problems? Did you run any software/test or was is trial and error? What dongle did you then bought?

Thanks!

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Answer 3

etresoft

Level 9

56,212 points

Apr 25, 2019 6:51 PM in response to bgarcia_pt

It was running very slowly and the fan was very loud. I think I also got a notice about the battery being almost empty. That was strange since it was plugged in, through the dongle, all day. When I removed the dongle and connected directly, it was fine.

It was a dongle I bought on Amazon. I replaced it with an Apple dongle and it works fine now.

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High kernel_task CPU usage by no reason and macbook pro 2018 shuts down with drained battery

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