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User profile for user: Ton Markus
Ton Markus Author
User level: Level 1
82 points

Corespotlightd process using huge amounts of cpu, even after the usual "fixes"

Corespotlightd process is using huge amounts of cpu (between 100% and 240%), even after:


  • placing the entire disc in the spotlight privacy option (and taking it out again to rebuild the index)
  • using the terminal to sudo mdutil -i off
  • rebuilding all mailboxes
  • there is 45 GB free disc space
  • All "result" options in the Spotlight section are set to off


Killing the process results in the corespotlightd returning after about 10 seconds, and in that 10 seconds the kernel_task runs wild (close to 100%)


This is a Mac mini running Tahoe 26.6.2


Any suggestions for further action?


With kind regards,


***


[Edited by Moderator]

Mac mini (M1, 2020)

Posted on Aug 28, 2026 8:54 AM

Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: neuroanatomist
neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9
72,871 points

Posted on Aug 28, 2026 8:58 AM

You may have done some of this, but the -X is more 'complete' than -I off.


Copy/Paste this into Terminal. sudo will ask for your password. Just type the password and hit return. It won't show anything on screen. Those two commands essentially nuke all the Spotlight records then force a reindex. You may need to restart or log out/in after running the commands.

sudo mdutil -X /; sudo mdutil -i on /

 

Spotlight re-indexes your Mac after a macOS update, and this process can take some time.

 

About Spotlight indexing and search results on Apple devices - Apple Support

 

Some users have reported reducing the Spotlight processor load by deleting the spotlight metadata. In Finder, select Go menu > Go to folder and paste in the following location: 

~/Library/Metadata/


In the folder that opens, delete the CoreSpotlight folder. This is a safe procedure, and macOS will recreate that folder if/when it is needed.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: neuroanatomist
neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9
72,871 points

Aug 28, 2026 8:58 AM in response to Ton Markus

You may have done some of this, but the -X is more 'complete' than -I off.


Copy/Paste this into Terminal. sudo will ask for your password. Just type the password and hit return. It won't show anything on screen. Those two commands essentially nuke all the Spotlight records then force a reindex. You may need to restart or log out/in after running the commands.

sudo mdutil -X /; sudo mdutil -i on /

 

Spotlight re-indexes your Mac after a macOS update, and this process can take some time.

 

About Spotlight indexing and search results on Apple devices - Apple Support

 

Some users have reported reducing the Spotlight processor load by deleting the spotlight metadata. In Finder, select Go menu > Go to folder and paste in the following location: 

~/Library/Metadata/


In the folder that opens, delete the CoreSpotlight folder. This is a safe procedure, and macOS will recreate that folder if/when it is needed.

Corespotlightd process using huge amounts of cpu, even after the usual "fixes"

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