High kernel_task CPU usage

You have heavily modified your Mac, installing a lot of invasive stuff. At some point you added items that increased the "Host count" above the normal one or two. illegitimate software and VPN software are the main ways this is done, but it it very difficult to UnDo, expect by erasing your drive and doing a clean install.

Configuration Files:

    /etc/hosts - Count: 33

But you do not appear to have a Time machine backup, and you have software installed that suggests your WD drive may be "controlled" by a WD Driver, not by Disk Utility. A drive controlled by third-party software will only be available in full-blown MacOS, NOT in Recovery, because it needs to have its Driver loaded.

when you add system extensions, CPU usage is reported for the combination of kernel_task and the added extensions. even in the Errectcheck report, this is showing as excessive:

Top Processes Snapshot by CPU:

    Process (count) CPU (Source - Location)

    Other processes 105.67 % (?)

    EtreCheck 13.31 % (App Store)

    Google Chrome 7.55 % (Google, Inc.)

    Activity Monitor 0.73 % (Apple)

    Core Sync 0.12 % (Adobe Inc.)

You are running Google Chrome, the biggest resource hog in recent history. Changing to FireFox or Safari will produce better results with a far smaller footprint.

Unless VPN software is required by your workplace, it adds complexity and lightens your wallet without providing ANY additional security over the default setup when you are running a Router you control.

Your tablet driver has crashed 23 times in recent days. Do you have to correct version for this version of MacOS?

Ajayusingmac wrote:

Hi, I am using a Macbook Pro 15 (2019). Its updated to the latest operating system. Recently I have noticed that Kernel cpu usage is very high. To the level that laptop is unusable. Sometimes its more than 1000 % cpu. Even if I am doing light task the usage are very high. It goes down for few minutes but always kicks back in. Please help.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/36a20ca5-bf97-429f-a97f-2a75cfbbaf67

<Etre Check.log>

To trouble shoot further you can:

—Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5-15 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, etc.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test as caches get rebuilt.

In Safe mode third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled, it removes malware, etc hampering smooth operation, however a reboot will put it back to normal mode.

This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-other-users-on-your-mac-mtusr001/mac

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

Please launch Etrecheck, change its internal preferences to "allow Full Disk Access" then say GO.

Post THAT report, which has much more information.

For me it was just the cheap Amazon dongle. I threw it in the trash and bought an Apple one and never had the problem again.

Apple may have realized this is a problem and changed the design. The rumours are that the next generation MacBook Pros will have HDMI ports again. Then people won't have this problem of the $30 dongle burning out the $3000 notebook computer.

Ajayusingmac wrote:

Thank You. I had one more question, I face this performance lags more (way too much) when I connect a second monitor. 2 months there was no problem but only recently (2 weeks maybe) these lags have increased a lot. To the point, it's not usable at all.

To connect the monitor I use a hub>HDMI to the female VGA>VGA cable of the monitor. The monitor is 'lg flatron e2041'

The problem is one of those connection devices. What is happening is that your computer is detecting a hardware failure and throttling the CPU. It uses that fake 1000% CPU usage on kernel_task to do this. I don't know if it is the hub, the cable, or some other dongle in between.

The standard Course of Action if you suspect Hardware issues is to run the Apple Diagnostics (hold D-for-Diagnostics at startup and WAIT while it loads). "No fault Found" is Not the same as "all Is well", but absent other symptoms, will give you some re-assurance you do not have a hardware problem. I do not think you have hardware problems.

I suggest you:

• make certain you have updated tablet drivers,

• un-install your VPN software,

• switch away from Chrome as your browser

that alone may make some difference. If not enough,

• Check to be certain you have a Trusted backup, then consider ERASING your drive and installing MacOS fresh, then importing your data from backup.

I can't give specific advice without specific information. What are the model numbers of all the devices that are connected?

Without that, all I can do is give you general suggestions like "try a different dongle" or "try an Apple dongle".

You just can't unplug it for a couple of minutes. You will have shut down the computer so it can cool down. Then try it again with only Apple chargers or dongles connected. If you still have the problem, then you will need to take the computer (to Apple) for repair. Hopefully you had purchased Apple Care.

I have the same issue. Went through 2 macs already and 2 logic board replacements.

The issue is probably that the new MacBook heat dissipation unit is undersized and can't cool down the computer when connected to an external screen. It probably ends up damaging the components.

Replacing the logic board solves the issue for a few months but I am not calling that a solution. Tons of people are having that issue and Apple ignores it because they can't fix it.

Try using your second monitor with the macbook closed, it helps in my case and delays the time when I need to shutdown my macbook and let it cool.

Congratulation Apple, you made a s*** product. It may be thinner but what is the goal if it can't cool down the components... smart!

I don't use dongles, I have a usb-c to display port cable. I tried also a HDMI cable with the official dongle but it did no change anything... Apple quality has been going down quite a bit. My 2019 macbook pro did not have these issues at all.