MacBook Air M2 slows, kernel_task goes up

From time to time, not being able to reproduce it, the kernel_task goes up and my MacBook Air M2 is almost not usable anymore for 2-3 minutes, then going back to normal. First, I thought it might be related to when I connect a second screen, but also noticed this bad behaviour when the MacBook wakes up even without external screen. Noticed that kernel_task is even when the MacBook is working normally always around 15-20% of CPU, kernel_task is the most CPU-consuming process on my machine, not sure whether this is normal.

Any idea how to solve this?

MacBook Air

Posted on Oct 27, 2023 10:14 PM

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

156,578 points

Posted on Oct 28, 2023 7:55 AM

It's not normal. You're going about it the right way by using Activity Monitor, but try to "catch it in the act" by leaving the Activity Monitor window open and running in the background. In that manner you may be able to capture a screenshot or at least take note of any processor-intensive activity when the problem manifests.

If kernel_task is using a large percentage of your Mac CPU - Apple Support

If the Mac becomes completely unresponsive during that event the AM window might not even have time to update, and / or you won't be able to capture a screenshot of it.

To rule out potential software causes determine if the same problems occur in "Safe Mode": Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

For what it's worth Microsoft products have never been known for their efficiency. Try quitting those apps and determine if the problems subside.

If your troubleshooting efforts fail to identify anything in particular, it is possible that Mac is suffering from a hardware fault that only Apple can fix. If you arrive at that conclusion, contact them: Official Apple Support

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MacBook Air M2 slows, kernel_task goes up

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