Kernal_task running high, slow performance

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Level 1

5 points

Kernal_task running high, slow performance

My MacBook Pro (2017; bought 2018; model A1708) started running ridiculously slowly, instantly, and has a VERY high CPU load for the system. It seems like the system cpu load is extremely higher than usual and all coming from kernal_task usage. It has been about a week and a half now and I have tried all of the following with no improvement:

Restart
installed new update to Catalina 10.15.4
PRAM reset
SMC reset
boot into safe mode
ran first aid on all drives
scanned for malware with 0 results
Reinstalled Mac OS Catalina 10.15.4

After doing all of this and checking my Activity Monitor, the problem still persists that the System CPU load is at around 70%, the user load is around 20-25% and idle hovers around 6-10%. This happens when all apps are shut down, and the only thing running is the Activity Monitor. The culprit seems to kernel_task which is running extremely high with no explanation.

other specs about problem:

my computers memory usage is below 50%
this problem occurred virtually instantly, there was no gradual slow down
ive never had any problems with this laptop before

Any decent suggestions would be great. Ask any questions that could help solve this problem please! Trying to avoid leaving self-quarantine or facing a huge repair bill.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Apr 20, 2020 8:11 PM

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Answer 1

etresoft

Level 9

56,716 points

Apr 22, 2020 1:08 PM in response to ninjaducks

Do you have any other hardware connected to this machine? I experienced something similar when a dongle failed.

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Answer 2

etresoft

Level 9

56,716 points

Apr 22, 2020 4:04 PM in response to ninjaducks

The most likely cause is a hardware failure. The system is throttling the CPU and running the fans on high due to a hardware fault.

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Answer 3

ninjaducks Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 22, 2020 1:14 PM in response to Leanne_68

I reinstalled about a week ago now, I don’t have a backup because i don’t have any external hard drives that i can plug into my macbooks ports without an adapter (which i don’t have right now), so i have yet to do a factory reset.

I usually use my macbook on my lap but since the issue occurred i have been working on it on a tabletop. I will try to create another user and test that way, but how different is that from just booting in safe mode?

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Answer 4

ninjaducks Author

Level 1

5 points

May 10, 2020 12:08 PM in response to ninjaducks

About a week ago, my laptop starting running as normal again, back to a faster speed, no issues, etc. When I went to turn it on again today I am having the same problems as before, the laptop is running extremely slowly, kernal task is way too high, and it is unusable. Any thoughts on why this magically fixed itself and then went wrong again?

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Answer 5

ninjaducks Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 22, 2020 1:10 PM in response to etresoft

I have nothing external plugged in.

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Answer 6

Leanne_68

Community Specialist

Apr 22, 2020 12:48 PM in response to ninjaducks

Hello ninjaducks,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities! I understand from the information you provided that you’re seeing decreased performance with your MacBook pro; I'd like to help.

You mentioned that you reinstalled macOS, when you did this, did you restore a backup on your Mac? Also, are you using your MacBook Pro on a level hard surface?

Trying safe mode was a great step. Also, testing in another user account can help determine if this may be user or account related settings causing this issue. Here's how you can create a new user for testing:

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

Keep us posted with the results.

Best Regards.

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Kernal_task running high, slow performance

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