Zoom causing abnormal high ~500% cpu and kernel_task processes killing MacBook Pro

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Level 1

10 points

Zoom causing abnormal high ~500% cpu and kernel_task processes killing MacBook Pro

Big Sur 11.5 & Latest Zoom is causing abnormal high cpu usage and the kernel_task process can peak at around ~500%. Chrome (Version 92.0.4515.131 (Official Build) (x86_64)) also then begins to slow to a standstill.

Only solution seems to be uninstall zoom completely, shut down and let the kernel_task process calm down and be able to restart machine to return to normal after an hour or two.

Other people are reporting a bug in Big Sur with similar behaviour experience.

Any one else having this issue please shout out!?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.5

Posted on Aug 3, 2021 2:52 AM

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Answer 1

stumaccyprus Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 7, 2021 5:48 AM in response to stumaccyprus

I believe the issue is related to overheating of the device, not sure - but stitting in a cooler room with some better cool air ventilition tends to avoid the machine flipping into the upward CPU increases....

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

215,196 points

Sep 7, 2021 10:01 AM in response to stumaccyprus

Have you installed or run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up" or anti-virus apps on your Mac?

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,150 points

Aug 3, 2021 7:41 AM in response to stumaccyprus

How many people are concurrently in your Zoom session? Whether Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom, videoconferencing is a CPU/GPU-intensive task that the integrated Intel Iris graphics may be incapable of handling as you would prefer. I would not be too hasty to proclaim this a bug in Big Sur 11.5, as I would hardware limitation. Try your Zoom activity without Chromosaurus competing for the GPU and RAM.

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Answer 4

JMDidon

Level 1

8 points

Sep 7, 2021 5:51 AM in response to stumaccyprus

I have the same problem happening here (Big Sur 11.4), though it is with Zoom's webclient (not the desktop app). And it was with only 2 participants. Same problem happening on Chrome and Firefox.

Interestingly, I tried with my personal Mac too (on Chrome) and it worked. My personal Mac is still on Catalina though.

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Answer 5

CT

Level 7

24,227 points

Sep 7, 2021 9:06 AM in response to stumaccyprus

Agree. Latest MacOS and latest (webclient) Zoom with Safari can get kernel_task out of control.

I am not certain it happens with every meeting nor whether ending the meeting will return things to normal. Quitting the app certainly returns things to normal CPU-wise, albeit gradually and not instantaneously.

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