Lag/CPU Usage Spike when Changing Volume when using AirPods

This is a bit of a specific situation but starting perhaps a few months ago, pre-Ventura even, when I change the volume while connected to AirPods, there is considerable lag between button press, on-screen volume UI, and then actual volume change. This behavior does not exist when changing the volume with headphones plugged into the audio jack, or with just the bare speakers. Taking a look at the system usage during volume changes, there appear to be a handful of processes related to Continuity, Bluetooth etc that all get hammered at the same time. Also, the fact that the system slows down significantly enough during a single-increment change in volume illustrates how agonizingly slow things become during this.


I am on a 2021 MacBook Pro M1 Pro 14" on Ventura 13.3.1


AirPods Version A2031 Firmware Version 5E133 (most up to date as of this posting, and always has been throughout this ordeal).


This is an example of the processes that spike in usage during the slowdown when changing the volume. Not included in the offenders are some others like I mentioned before that are like Continuity Daemon and Bluetooth Daemons. At one point the main Daemon that was the worst and most consistent offender was Microsoft Teams Audio Daemon, but I uninstalled that since I don't use it anymore. But the problem persists with the other ones I mention.


I have already un and re-paired the AirPods to this Mac, and also reset them entirely but to no avail. Fixing this would be cool.


MacBook Pro (2021)

Posted on Apr 28, 2023 1:24 PM

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11 replies

May 8, 2023 8:26 AM in response to SpiritLobster

Tons a processes go up when changing volume. Does not matter if using Mac MIni Headphone jack, Bluetooth Airpods etc. Also get Continuity Camera process using high CPU when changing volume after I have already diabled it. I Forced quit that process and other also no change, more keep coming.


Not sure what is causing the trouble, on Mac OS 13.3.1

May 25, 2023 12:56 AM in response to ku4hx

I experience the same, on a freshly installed MacMini M1 too. It is working for an hour or so, but - usually when I leave it on rest for a small while, screen locked and reopen - after a while it starts the lagging. Many of the applications and services which are potentially using mic/producing audio are spiking, and the whole machine lags seriously, until rebooting...


Also, it is not just with volume change, but when a notification hits in with sound, then everything lags again.


Besides then this, when we have reached the mentioned threshold in time, video playback (e.g. youtube, plex) lags periodically, eg. there is a noticeable glitch in the video playback in eg. every 30secs...


In the logs I did not yet found anything suspicious in the flood of warning messages...


Really annoying.

Sep 23, 2023 10:38 AM in response to SpiritLobster

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


Lag/CPU Usage Spike when Changing Volume when using AirPods

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