ScreentimeAgent and kernel task running high on cpu. Mac is heating up and slow.

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12 points

ScreentimeAgent and kernel task running high on cpu. Mac is heating up and slow.

ScreenTimeAgent and kernel_task are running really high on cpu, causing the laptop to heat up a lot. Screen time is off and it has been for a few months now, I've tried triggering it off and on in System Preferences, and on other devices in the family account. A couple days back almost every app was beach balling every time I tried to do something. I downloaded Malwarebytes to take care of any files that might be causing the problem, turns out malwarebytes was part of the problem.

It was fine up till sometime back, until I was browsing on Safari with one or two tabs open, and the fan turned on on full blast.

A few seconds before I took this screenshot ScreenTimeAgent was on 181, and kernel_task was on 40.

Posted on Jun 1, 2021 4:05 AM

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Answer 1

bailier

Community Specialist

Jun 2, 2021 7:24 AM in response to abir119

Hello abir119,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. If we understand correctly, you’re having trouble with high CPU usage on your Mac. We’re happy to help.

To start, make sure you’re running the latest macOS version on your Mac: How to update the software on your Mac

Then, take a look at the guidance in this article: About fans and fan noise in your Apple product

Lastly, try resetting the SMC on your Mac: How to reset the SMC of your Mac

We hope that helps.

Have a great day!

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Answer 2

abir119 Author

Level 1

12 points

Jun 12, 2021 8:36 AM in response to abir119

Thanks for the help. Even after trying all these steps, the problem still persisted. So I just gave up and erased the hard drive. Whatever was causing the Mac to heat up and slow down seems to have gone away now.

Thanks.

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Answer 3

bailier

Community Specialist

Jun 2, 2021 2:14 PM in response to abir119

abir119,

Thanks for that information. Let’s see if the issue persists in safe mode: Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

It may also be worth checking to see if the issue is present in a different user account: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac - Apple Support

Should neither of the above help to isolate the problem, contact Apple Support.

Take care.

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Answer 4

abir119 Author

Level 1

12 points

Jun 2, 2021 9:04 AM in response to bailier

Hi bailier,

My Mac is in the on the current version of macOS, it’s currently running version 11.4

As for the fan noise, I have tried resetting the SMC multiple times. And this usually occurs while running a regular task, not during something really heavy. And I’m still not clear about why ‘ScreenTimeAgent’ and ‘kernel_task’ are using so much CPU%. Because every time my Mac is heating up beach balling these two tasks show up in activity monitor.

Thanks.

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ScreentimeAgent and kernel task running high on cpu. Mac is heating up and slow.

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