Safari using too much RAM and CPU

Question

Safari using too much RAM and CPU

Hello All,
I am having issues with Safari (5.0.3) on my iMac using around 100% (about 50% of total) processing capacity and about 3.3 gigs of my 4 gigs of RAM, yet on my MacBook Pro it is working normally (same version). I have not installed any new apps or plugins immediately before or since this issue started, so I'm a bit confused as to why this is happening. All I am doing is light browsing (facebook, wikipedia, etc) usually with no more than 2 tabs open at a time. I always have my Activity Monitor running in the dock and have never seen Safari use that much of my iMac until today. A quick google search turned up other people having similar issues, but there was no help in the responses, so I figured I'd come here to the official forums.

Thank you in advance,
Steve

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody, 2.53 Core 2 Duo, 500 GB HDD, 4GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 21.5" iMac 3.06 Core 2 Duo, 1TB HDD, 4GB RAM

Posted on Jan 21, 2011 11:52 PM

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Answer 1

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jan 22, 2011 4:09 AM in response to Steven Anders

Hi Steve

I've never had Safari use so much memory myself - cpu yes 🙂

Try manually removing the cache +with Safari quit+

~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari

Also, test in a a New User Account & see if the situation is the same there.

If it is ok, I'd consider any account-specific add-ons or plug-ins/extensions & if none, remove Safari's various files in Home/Library/Safari/ except bookmarks.plist since you'll want to keep that.

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Answer 2

Jan 22, 2011 5:37 AM in response to andyBall_uk

thanks for the suggestions, i just tried all of the above, including testing safari in a new account, same thing... but what is weird is it will be fine for about 30 seconds, then the cpu spikes, and as soon as it does the ram slowly builds until it uses everything not already in use and then task manager starts asking me to close stuff... i know they are rare on macs, but i am thinking maybe a virus of some kind. any thoughts? i think my next course of action is to download a new copy of safari, delete the old one, and see if that works...

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Answer 3

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jan 22, 2011 5:49 AM in response to Steven Anders

It'd be the only mac virus known, so rather unlikely.

If you want a new safari, just download the latest version from apple at http://www.apple.com/safari/download/ & that should replace the application & several system software frameworks that are also included.

The most common reason for any Safari problems, is something third-party - and yes I hear you on nothing changing recently - but something has.

If you use ethernet, a safe boot should still allow internet use (some macs airport too) & perhaps exclude some 'extras' from running; also see the folders suggested at http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3230 - not the Home/ ones since another account was the same.

Do test with plugins disabled too - quick & easy via Safari-Preferences-Security

And not a recommendation that you need it, but if pursuing the virus/malware route, stick with http://clamxav.com/ which seems trouble-free, as well as being um, free 🙂. (ok, donations accepted)

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Answer 4

Zodin262

Level 1

0 points

Jan 22, 2011 6:08 AM in response to Steven Anders

I just wanted to add that I started having the same problem yesterday too. Even with a blank page open, the memory usage spikes to 2.5 GB quickly. I don't know how it can use that much resources with no page open.

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Answer 5

Jan 22, 2011 6:31 AM in response to Zodin262

glad to hear that it isnt just me, even though i am quite displeased with the fact that it is me... anyhow, i hope this isnt just some ticking time bomb waiting to go off on everyones macs... currently d/l'ing firefox until i figure out what is up

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Answer 6

f2v

Level 1

0 points

Jan 22, 2011 6:32 AM in response to Zodin262

I am experiencing exactly the same issue here: I open Safari and CPU and RAM usage go to the roof. Firefox is running fine though.

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Answer 7

Jan 22, 2011 6:57 AM in response to Steven Anders

Hi Steve,

I had the same problem but after I remove adblock extensie the problem was solved. Adblock is add as a extra tab in Safari preference. If you remove adblock and restart Safari the problem should be solved then.

This solution worked on my MacBook Pro. Safari is running fine now.

Good luck,

Sen

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Answer 8

Jan 22, 2011 7:00 AM in response to Steven Anders

The same issue started today for me as well. The problem turned out to be the Safari AdBlock plugin that I had installed. Deleting *"/Library/Application Support/SIMBL/Plugins/Safari AdBlocker.bundle"* did the trick for me.

Kenroy

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Answer 9

Jan 22, 2011 7:17 AM in response to SenCandido

I was having this same memory leaking issue. I went to uninstall AdBlocker, but there was an update. I uninstalled AB and then reinstalled the new version. Memory leak problem is gone. 🙂

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Answer 10

Jan 22, 2011 7:43 AM in response to DevlinBreck

fixed! thank you all for your input! updated AdBlocker and shes running like a champ again. now i just have to re-adjust everything in safari to my liking again as i lost everything trying to fix it... oh well, just glad it was this simple!

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Answer 11

Jan 23, 2011 12:11 PM in response to Steven Anders

Glad that solved it for you guys,
I don't have adblocker installed so couldn't delete it,
so still having the same problem

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Answer 12

Saxman

Level 2

278 points

Jan 27, 2011 3:13 AM in response to Ontroerend Goed

Ontroerend Goed wrote:
Glad that solved it for you guys,
I don't have adblocker installed so couldn't delete it,
so still having the same problem

Ditto, I don't have adblocker anywhere on my computer, yet my Safari is currently showing
*5.55 GBs of RAM, and 5.25 GBs of Virtual Memory!*

So what exactly is going on???

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Answer 13

Jun 25, 2011 4:12 AM in response to Saxman

I can't find this plug in on my computer either but have the same problem.

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Answer 14

MrElvey

Level 1

56 points

Dec 22, 2011 6:13 PM in response to Steven Anders

I just wanted to point out that there is some confusion and misinformation.

SC wrote, "Adblock is add as a extra tab in Safari preference," but that's not true! AdblockER is added as an extra tab in Safari preferences. Adblock appears in the normal Extensions tab.

I'm not sure which of these is more of a memory & CPU hog (I may do some testing!)

However, I do know that advert blockers are often big memory & CPU hogs!

I would think that disabling an extension would be enought to keep it from causing trouble; has anyone found differently?

http://sweetpproductions.com/safariadblocker/ says,

"!Important

!!Safari Adblocker is NOT currently compatible with versions of Safari 5 and greater!"

so, indeed AdblockER should be removed or at least disabled! (assuming you're running Safari 5 or greater...)

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Answer 15

cognerd

Level 1

0 points

Jan 28, 2012 2:23 PM in response to Saxman

Same situation here.

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