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User profile for user: msf1630
msf1630 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Process "com.apple.dock.extra" is monopolizing User %

Main reason for even jumping into this with tech support was the constant appearance of the colorful beach ball. Computer (MacBook Pro) was running slowly compared to another one that I use for work.


Computer had enough processor to run Mountain Lion. Downloaded it and spent all day yesterday troubleshooting with tech support. Noticed a few things running, "com.apple.dock.extra" being the process using the highest % of memory (stays at around 100%). Other processes, jumping in and out of contention for the next few highest %'s included "com.apple.NotesMigratorService," "hiutil," "mds," and "mdworker." The biggest culprit is "com.apple.dock.extra."


Ran through a number of restarts after getting rid of things in Caches, after "control, R" restart, after "R, P, command, option" restart, etc. Ran through a gamut of things with which I had no experience. Last thing I did ... reinstalled Mountain Lion ... found the process was still hanging out at the top of the heap at 100+%. The computer employs the use of the fan constantly. Therefore, I'm using my work computer at the moment.


If I must erase my hard drive and perform a fresh install of the OS, then I am open to that.


Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Sep 3, 2012 9:57 AM

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7 replies
User profile for user: x29
x29
User level: Level 1
4 points

Mar 26, 2013 1:35 AM in response to msf1630

I got this same process "com.apple.dock.extra" hogging down my cpu after forcing shutdown (due to a strange hang when waking my MBPr w/10.8.3 from sleep). Also Addressbook, Messages and CalendarAgent were using more than 100% cpu each.

I tried removing com.apple.desktop.plist and com.apple.dock.plist from ~/Library/Preferences/, and all that happened was that I had to rebuild my Dock again, and the cpu still running wild.


I ran: sudo fs_usage and found that it was constantly accessing ~/Library/Application\ Support/AddressBook/Metadata/.Metadata.lock


Running the following command:

sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/AddressBook/Metadata/.Metadata.lock

solved the problem in my case.

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User profile for user: jximo 07
jximo 07
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jul 9, 2013 11:37 AM in response to msf1630

Here's the solution. /System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/XPCServices/com.apple.dock.extra .xpc/Contents/MacOS/com.apple.dock



and when you get to the level of the dock.app right click + select "Show Package Contents, then select contents+xpcservices+delete com.apple.dock.extra.xpc


Then goto activity monitor and forcequit the process, dump your trash and you are done!

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User profile for user: Albert Sodyl
Albert Sodyl
User level: Level 1
8 points

Oct 25, 2013 10:51 PM in response to jximo 07

Hi jximo 07,


Your solution worked. How did you find this solution, by the way?


I had the same problem on my 15" Retina, Mid 2012. The com.apple.dock.extra service is using GPU and reported by the battery menu item, saying it's using a significant amount of energy.


I wonder why it's using discrete graphics? Some code must be forcing discrete graphics on my machine.


What's bothersome is that I have a mostly stock system without many programs. I upgraded from Lion to Mountain Lion to Mavericks, so maybe that's the problem. Would a fresh install make things better?


Looks a bug from Apple that I hope they will fix, or that someone will report at least.

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Process "com.apple.dock.extra" is monopolizing User %

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