I am running into an issue BackgroundShortcutRunner using CPU over 90%

nyinyimyozinhtet wrote:

I am facing an issue that BackgroundShortcutRunner is using CPU over 90% and I cannot use terminal I cannot open anything anymore. And sometime the application just crashed like ..... quit unexpectedly. Click Reopen to open the application again. Click Report to see more detailed Information and send a report to Apple. Now I cannot continue working. I have to manually kill the process after I restart or shutdown and reopen again. If anyone knows how to fix it. I kindly request to help me. Thank you. Happening on Macbook Air 13" MacOS version 26.1

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/2a5691bb-d4d8-40d6-8040-6e869ffbcea7

re: BackgroundShortcutRunner

it is possibly related to Shortcuts app— WorkflowKit.BackgroundShortcutRunner

you can try removing any shortcuts and compare your results.

ref: Shortcuts User Guide for Mac

...likewise I do not use the Shortcuts.app to say more

Otherwise might suspect third party interference—

I do not use Google Chrome ... I might look for some official uninstaller and compare your results

For your third party app—if in doubt search the developers website or contact their: Support/Help/FAQ/Known issues/compatibility/updates/uninstaller…

To trouble shoot further you can:

—A SafeBoot Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support will sort many anomalies.

Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled temporarily.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.

This test will tell you if third party interference; most extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 

***wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries— connect the charging cable, this will make the wired keyboard successful Safe Boot your Mac.

unplug all non-essential peripherals when testing

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

nyinyimyozinhtet wrote:

I didn't use any shortcut. And It's happening only on Macbook Air M4 which provided by the company. It does have vpn and anti-virus software that installed by the company IT team. But my personal Macbook Air M2 does not have this problem although I install the same software except the vpn and anti-virus.

Obviously,  the Companies IT Department knows a lot about Microsoft Windows Environments but has very little actual knowledge / experience when it comes to macOS on Apple Computers 

There are 4 Categories of Third Party Software / Services that are baffling.

As you have specifically mentioned, this M4 MBA was issued by the Company so there is very little you can do about the VPN and AV Software

That is apart from Up Teaching the IT Department

Also the " BackgroundShortcutRunner " issue

You may also speak to the IT Spearmint on this one too

It would be the job of IT Department to support the company owned and proved Computers

1 - Third Party 2 Way Firewalls 

like Lulu and Little Snitch 

2 - Commercial VPNs 

They may not be what one believes they are doing for the computer and what they actually are doing behind the scenes They may also reduce you Internet Speeds by upwards of 30% 

https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community

3 - Third Party Security Software 

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that cannot be opened by the User nor by Third Party Applications.

The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.

Security. Built right in

Mac app security enhancements

The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.

Protecting against malware in macOS

4 - Third Party Disk Cleaners / Optimizer 

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS,  is an invitation for disaster. 

Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a percentage on each sale. 

What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase

To put the Third Party Disk Cleaner / Optimizer in context and the damages it may have or has already done.

This type of applications can or will Muck Up your User Account ( Home Folder ) of this machine.

It does not touch the Operating System itself unless you consider your User Account ( Home Folder ) as part of the Operating System.

The Operating System is hosed

Backgroundshortcutrunner is an Apple process, not a third party issue. Apple is aware of it and chooses to not fix it. It really ****** me off. It runs at startup after I login and takes about 4-5 minutes to settle down. I don’t have any shortcut relating to this.