"kernel_task" using too much RAM on my MacBook Air running macOS Sonoma

Before changing any System Files, I would recommend having a Backup because things can go wrong especially when you are dealing with Terminal. The alternative is to just do a Clean Install and manually add the apps and verify the Kernel Task operation to isolate the problem. The Clean Install may be the easiest approach to quickly return your Mac to a stable operation, but if you want to attempt manually remove the files that are modifying the system files, then continue on:

• Uninstall Homebrew

https://mac.install.guide/homebrew/5

• Uninstall Xcode Command Line Tools

https://mac.install.guide/commandlinetools/6

• Uninstall Docker

https://docs.docker.com/desktop/uninstall/

• Verify VSCode has been removed from your User folder. The folder is hidden so you will have to use Command-Shift-.(period), to reveal it. Show the folder by going to Finder > Go > Go to Folder and enter "~" (tilde character)
• In addition, I would go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and enter ~/Library/LaunchAgents, and remove all Google files. There is also some kind of issue with the valvesoftware plist that you see there as it is showing that the "Executable not found", which may be due to an unsuccessful installation.
• Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and enter /Library/LaunchAgents, and remove com.apple.dt.xcode.xcbackgrounddownloader.plist if it is still there.

After restarting, I would post a follow up EtreCheck report to verify that the files have been removed. You are obviously a developer with many tools that have been installed with Terminal. A Mac with 8GB of RAM is not enough for the extensive set of Developer Tools that have been added. You would be better served with just Xcode, but of course that depends on your development goals, and even then the RAM will be restricting performance and it will need to rely on VM that slows performance, but at least you can quit Xcode and it does not impact your system. I suggested removing the Google files because I have seen other users with those same "keystone" files that are "Not Signed" showing "Empty", that have been a problem.

This should stabilize your OS and calm down your Kernel Task. You can experiment by comparing the results of installing the files you want back with the operation of the Kernel Task.

I still can't find any app that is responsible since I have deleted several …

What do you mean by "deleted?" When talking about System Modifications, you cannot just delete the App. You must use the uninstaller provided by the developer or the detailed instructions they provide and confirm works with the OS you are about to install on.

Anytime you are required to enter a password to install some piece of software, you should stop and make sure the company provides a method to remove the software. If they don't, you should not install it.

Once you have installed something like that, you must never update until you confirm with the developer that it works with the updated macOS.

Download the Application Etrecheck ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet " but only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer 

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.

It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 

The application is free or paid for added features. 

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon  <<<<

Launch Agents:

[Not Loaded] com.apple.dt.xcode.xcbackgrounddownloader.plist (Apple - installed 2024-08-04)

Command: /usr/bin/xcodebuild -downloadAllPreviouslySelectedPlatforms

Location: /Applications/Xcode.app

User Login Items:

[Loaded] DockerHelper (Docker Inc - installed 2024-07-13)

Modern Login Item

/Applications/Docker.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/DockerHelper.app

Have you confirmed the you no longer have Xcode and Docker showing in the Applications folder? They still appear to be there adding items to your Launch Agents and Login Items.

After making sure those are deleted, is the memory of the Kernel Task now under 1GB?

biscenp wrote:

I really don't know, today in the morning I opened my MacBook Air and the kernel_task was still in 1.70GB, when I posted this issue the kernel_task was at 1.43GB.

Now my MacBook Air still cold and I closed all apps, nothing works. Resetting solved my problem, but after some a few hours kernel_task started growing.

kernel_task controls/runs most of the under-the-hood things in macOS including third-party system modifications. When kernel_task goes wonky, it is almost always caused by some third-party system modification. It is the third-party system modification that has gone wonky, but kernel_task gets the blame because it is dutifully running the tasks sent by the system modification.

PRP_53 wrote:

Download the Application Etrecheck ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

Yep!

Notion is your problem, Uninstall it and your problem will be gone. You can contact the developer if you wish, they are the only ones that will be able to resolve the problem with their app. As you have noted, other developers are perfectly capable of performing intensive operations without causing the Kernel on the machine from exploding.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/i0tif4/notion_caused_kernel_task_problem_in_my_macbook/

The little bit I can find about Notion for macOS

https://lightform.notion.site/Minimum-System-Requirements-89b4cd2a249145cba63e2ae12b3420f6#f6d8f6f14ddd4cccb07a7dc048e44799

macOS 10.14+ or Windows 10 Recommended: MacOS 11 & Windows 10 20H2

Windows: 64-bit Intel or AMD processor macOS: 64-bit Intel or Apple M1 processor

From another website that is solely based upon those who have reviews this application

It is not a definitive source for compatibilities when used on macOS Sonoma

https://roaringapps.com/apps?developer=Notion

Go get more information regarding compatibilities of Notion - it is best to communicate with the Third Party Developer of this application

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

Follow on

The MacBook Air M2 is a Fanless computer

Perhaps this computer is not as well suited for your needs wherein the MBP Silicon computer which are designed for more Intensive Work, does have a Fan

B you using an old hackie or old program. find out with the including /Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor.app and use that to stop the old hackie and then manually delete it, then reboot!

biscenp wrote:

My kernel_task is taking those gigabytes only using Notion and Safari, it is not a heavy job (although I have tested my computer with Davinci Resolve and the performance is perfect, it does not even heat up), in the same way the kernel_task continues to consume the same when I close the apps and the

laptop

PRP_53 wrote:

Follow on

The MacBook Air M2 is a Fanless computer

Perhaps this computer is not as well suited for your needs wherein the MBP Silicon computer which are designed for more Intensive Work, does have a Fan

User wrote " though I have tested my computer with Davinci Resolve and the performance is perfect,"

The, why does this issue " kernel_task" using too much RAM on my MacBook Air running macOS Sonoma " occur ?

👍