Notes app consuming high CPU and energy power

Hello verlockend,

Thanks for choosing the Apple Support Communities. Sounds like Notes are taking up a lot of computing power on your Mac. Let's try a few steps to see if we can help resolve it.

1. Make sure you save all notes by manually closing the Notes app in your top menu bar. Notes > Quit Notes.
2. Open Activity Monitor and check the CPU section to see if the issue persists - Activity Monitor User Guide for Mac - Apple Support
3. If notes are still using CPU, right click or control click the process and kill the process.
4. If the issue persists, let's fully restart your Mac into safe mode - How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support - Tis will help rule out the possibility of 3rd party apps causing the issue.
5. Restart normally and check Activity Monitor again.

Let's start there, and see if it takes care of it.

Cheers!

Hey verlockend,

Does the issue persist if you create a new user account on the Mac? This can help determine whether your account is the issue or if this is happening globally. You can learn how to create one here:

"Add a user

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Users & Groups  in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
2. Click the Add Account button below the list of users on the right (you may be asked to enter your password.)
3. Click the New Account pop-up menu, then choose a type of user.

• Administrator: An administrator can add and manage other users, install apps, and change settings. The new user you create when you first set up your Mac is an administrator. Your Mac can have multiple administrators. You can create new ones, and convert standard users to administrators. Don’t set up automatic login for an administrator. If you do, someone could simply restart your Mac and gain access with administrator privileges. To keep your Mac secure, don’t share administrator names and passwords.
• Standard: Standard users are set up by an administrator. Standard users can install apps and change their own settings, but can’t add other users or change other users’ settings.
• Sharing Only: Sharing-only users can access shared files remotely, but can’t log in to the computer or change settings. To give the user permission to access your shared files or screen, you may need to change options in File Sharing, Screen Sharing, or Remote Management settings. See Set up file sharing and Share the screen of another Mac.

For more information about the options for each type of user, click the Help button in the lower-left corner of the dialog.

4. Enter a full name for the new user. An account name is generated automatically. To use a different account name, enter it now—you can’t change it later.

5. Enter a password for the user, then enter it again to verify. Enter a password hint to help the user remember their password.

6. Click Create User."

Here's a link to the full resource: Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

If this doesn't help you isolate things we'd recommend reaching out for support here: Get Support

Take care.

Hello verlockend,

You can further isolate the issue by temporarily turning the account off with the steps below found here: Add or remove accounts in Notes on Mac - Apple Support Be sure to backup or locally save any data when prompted.

"Temporarily stop using an account

1. In the Notes app  on your Mac, choose Notes > Accounts.
2. Select the account, then turn off Notes.
3. The account’s notes aren’t available while Notes is turned off.
4. To view notes from the account again, turn on Notes."

Additionally, if you have any mobile device management profiles installed you may want to check with your IT administrator for any suggestions. Intro to mobile device management profiles - Apple Support

However, if the issue remains and as you've further isolated the issue reach out to Apple Support directly to assist.

Contact - Official Apple Support

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Best.

Hey there verlockend,

It definitely sounds like you’ve isolated the issue to a certain account syncing with Notes. You may also want to consider using First Aid on your Mac as this could have an impact on the issue as well. The steps may vary depending on what type of Mac you have. You can read how to do this here:

How to repair a Mac disk with Disk Utility 

Take care.