Luis_Mercado
Level 1 (45 points)

Q: WINDOWSERVER memory leak

Been liking Yosemite so far. However it has a nasty problem where the windowserver process starts hogging memory (sometimes up to 6 gbs). The only solution is to kill the process and to reduce transparency to avoid the problem again. I can use Yosemite like this, but I would prefer to use full transparency as it is intended.

 

What can I do?

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Oct 19, 2014 10:13 AM

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Luis_Mercado

Q: WINDOWSERVER memory leak

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  • Helpful answers

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  • by Luis_Mercado,

    Luis_Mercado Luis_Mercado Oct 19, 2014 1:04 PM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Oct 19, 2014 1:04 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

    No one?

  • by MiltonThales,

    MiltonThales MiltonThales Oct 20, 2014 10:15 AM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 10:15 AM in response to Luis_Mercado

    Windowserver runs hot 2.tiff

    I have the same problem:  window server consistently runs at 90%, slows everything down;  i see a lot of beachballs.

     

    Have not identified the cause.

  • by doug c,

    doug c doug c Oct 20, 2014 1:47 PM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 1:47 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

    Submitted feedback for another round of WindowServer process bugs/leaks. Seems like each OS X version has these, but it seems particularly bad with an external monitor connected, creeps up to 90% cpu causing lag everywhere (on a core duo... :). Disconnecting aux monitor drops the cpu to ~10%, reconnecting is fine for a while but it creeps back up eventually. When I check the "Reduce Transparency" box in the Accessibility panel, it only drops ~10% cpu, problem still exists.

     

    Otherwise like Yo so far. *Really* like having the new Terminal work with mouse scroll and page up/down keys in vim. Yes, linux server admin here (who also needs to run MS Office).

  • by Luis_Mercado,

    Luis_Mercado Luis_Mercado Oct 20, 2014 3:09 PM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 3:09 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

    Resetting the SMC solved it... briefly. The problem is back. Tempted to do a clean install, but I just don't have the time.

  • by Luis_Mercado,

    Luis_Mercado Luis_Mercado Oct 20, 2014 3:11 PM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 3:11 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

    Problem description:

    windowserver memory leak

     

    EtreCheck version: 2.0.6 (91)

    Report generated 20 de octubre de 2014 15:10:05 GMT-7

     

    Hardware Information: ℹ️

      MacBook Air (Verified)

      MacBook Air - model: MacBookAir6,1

      1 1.7 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 2-core

      8 GB RAM Not upgradeable

      BANK 0/DIMM0

      4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

      BANK 1/DIMM0

      4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

      Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

      Wireless:  en0: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

     

    Video Information: ℹ️

      Intel HD Graphics 5000 -

      Color LCD 1366 x 768

     

    System Software: ℹ️

      OS X 10.10 (14A389) - Uptime: 18:41:49

     

    Disk Information: ℹ️

      APPLE SSD TS0256F disk0 : (251 GB)

      S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified

      EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

      Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

      Macintosh HD (disk1) /  [Startup]: 249.77 GB (148.84 GB free)

      Core Storage: disk0s2 250.14 GB Online

     

    USB Information: ℹ️

      Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

      Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

     

    Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️

      Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

     

    Configuration files: ℹ️

      /etc/hosts - Count: 97

     

    Gatekeeper: ℹ️

      Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

      /Library/App[redacted]ication Support/VirtualBox

      [not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.3.14) Support

      [not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.3.14) Support

      [not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.3.14) Support

      [not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.3.14) Support

     

      /Library/Extensions

      [loaded] at.obdev.nke.LittleSnitch (4221 - SDK 10.8) Support

     

      /System/Library/Extensions

      [not loaded] com.AmbrosiaSW.AudioSupport (4.1.2 - SDK 10.7) Support

      [not loaded] com.ScreamingBee.driver.SBVirtualMic (1.0.4 - SDK 10.8) Support

      [not loaded] com.motorola-mobility.driver.MotMobileUSB (1.2.2 - SDK 10.5) Support

     

      /System/Library/Extensions/MotMobi[redacted]eUSB.kext/Contents/PlugIns

      [not loaded] com.motorola-mobility.driver.MotMobileMS (1.0.0 - SDK 10.5) Support

      [not loaded] com.motorola-mobility.driver.MotMobileMTP (1.2.2 - SDK 10.5) Support

      [not loaded] com.motorola-mobility.driver.MotMobileUSBLAN (1.2.2 - SDK 10.5) Support

      [not loaded] com.motorola-mobility.driver.MotMobileUSBLANMerge (1.2.2 - SDK 10.5) Support

      [not loaded] com.motorola-mobility.driver.MotMobileUSBSwch (1.2.2 - SDK 10.5) Support

     

    Startup Items: ℹ️

      ProTec6b: Path: /Library/StartupItems/ProTec6b

      Startup items are obsolete and will not work in future versions of OS X

     

    Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️

      [running] com.paragon.NTFS.notify.plist Support

     

    Launch Agents: ℹ️

      [running] at.obdev.LittleSnitchUIAgent.plist Support

      [not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support

      [running] com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist Support

      [loaded] com.motorola.MDMUpdater.plist Support

      [running] com.motorola.motohelper.plist Support

      [loaded] com.motorola.motohelperUpdater.plist Support

      [loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist Support

      [loaded] com.paragon.updater.plist Support

      [loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist Support

     

    Launch Daemons: ℹ️

      [running] at.obdev.littlesnitchd.plist Support

      [loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

      [invalid?] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist Support

      [loaded] com.ambrosiasw.ambrosiaaudiosupporthelper.daemon.plist Support

      [running] com.cleverfiles.cfbackd.plist Support

      [loaded] com.disc-soft.DAEMONTools.PrivilegedHelper.plist Support

      [loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.plist Support

      [loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support

      [loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist Support

      [loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist Support

      [loaded] com.paragon.ntfs11.refresh.plist Support

      [loaded] com.quark.quarkupdate.plist Support

      [loaded] com.teamviewer.Helper.plist Support

      [loaded] net.sourceforge.MonolingualHelper.plist Support

      [loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist Support

     

    User Launch Agents: ℹ️

      [loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support

      [loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

      [loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.diskSpaceWatcher.plist Support

      [loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.scheduledScan.plist Support

      [loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.trashWatcher.plist Support

      [not loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist Support

     

    User Login Items: ℹ️

      iTunesHelper Aplicación (/App[redacted]ications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

      PopClip Aplicación (/App[redacted]ications/PopClip.app)

      Dropbox Aplicación (/App[redacted]ications/Dropbox.app)

      BetterSnapTool Aplicación (/App[redacted]ications/BetterSnapTool.app)

     

    Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

      AdobeExManDetect: Version: AdobeExManDetect 1.1.0.0 - SDK 10.7 Support

      FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 15.0.0.152 - SDK 10.6 Support

      QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

      Flash Player: Version: 15.0.0.152 - SDK 10.6 Mismatch! Adobe recommends 15.0.0.189

      AdobeAAMDetect: Version: AdobeAAMDetect 2.0.0.0 - SDK 10.7 Support

      Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

      SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.4 - SDK 10.6 Support

      JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 25 Check version

     

    Safari Extensions: ℹ️

      Facebook Cleaner (Disabled)

      Facebook Improved (Disabled)

      Ultimate Status Bar (Disabled)

      ClickToFlash (Disabled)

      iTube Studio

      YoutubeWide (Disabled)

      AdBlock (Disabled)

      Stylish (Disabled)

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

      Flash Player  Support

      Java  Support

      Paragon NTFS for Mac ® OS X  Support

     

    Time Machine: ℹ️

      Skip System Files: NO

      Mobile backups: OFF

      Auto backup: YES

      Destinations:

      Time Machine [Local]

      Total size: 319.73 GB

      Total number of backups: 19

      Oldest backup: 2014-04-18 04:28:48 +0000

      Last backup: 2014-10-17 14:15:06 +0000

      Size of backup disk: Excellent

      Backup size 319.73 GB > (Disk size 0 B X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

          5% WindowServer

          1% fontd

          0% Creative Cloud

          0% Little Snitch Network Monitor

          0% AdobeIPCBroker

     

    Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

      189 MB Safari

      122 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent

      69 MB Mail

      52 MB ocspd

      34 MB mds_stores

     

    Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

      3.64 GB Free RAM

      2.63 GB Active RAM

      307 MB Inactive RAM

      897 MB Wired RAM

      14.78 GB Page-ins

      784 MB Page-outs

  • by doug c,

    doug c doug c Oct 21, 2014 9:47 AM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Oct 21, 2014 9:47 AM in response to Luis_Mercado

    Not sure my issue is the same as yours; I only see the WindowServer problem when my Macs are booted while the 2nd display is plugged in. If I boot completely to the desktop and then plug in the second display, WindowServer doesn't rise above 20-25%, typically settling down to 10-15% when "Reduce Transparency" is checked off in Accessibility prefs. Still high IMHO, chews battery. This happens on a 2008 (5,1) MacBook Pro and 2009 Air.

     

    I think we just have to wait out the 10.10.1 bug fix update like happened with previous X 10.x.0 launches.

  • by limbero,

    limbero limbero Oct 27, 2014 6:01 AM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2014 6:01 AM in response to Luis_Mercado

    This is my MacBook Air (Mid-2012) after a few days uptime: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2355649/before%20reboot.mov

     

    This is just after a reboot: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2355649/after%20reboot.mov

     

    It takes a few hours to degrade back to the top .mov, currently everything is still going great. WindowServer is clearly leaking memory over time, it's the only explanation I can find that fits the evidence.

  • by Humbs,

    Humbs Humbs Nov 3, 2014 6:55 PM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 3, 2014 6:55 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

    Hi, try this: Disable the "Display have separate Spaces" in Mission Control

    Screen Shot 2014-11-02 at 11.21.12 PM.png

    LogOff and Login again, check the process...

    all fine?

  • by limbero,

    limbero limbero Nov 13, 2014 5:34 PM in response to Humbs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 13, 2014 5:34 PM in response to Humbs

    As always after a reboot or relogin it's all fine, for the first few hours. I did what you suggested, and after a day or two it was back to stuttering, just like before.

  • by dominicrowland,

    dominicrowland dominicrowland Nov 16, 2014 11:23 PM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 16, 2014 11:23 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

    Same issues here - it is fine after a reboot for a few hours or maybe a day or so but then slows to such a crawl that it is unusable - very annoying!

  • by Babaqum,

    Babaqum Babaqum Dec 26, 2014 11:38 AM in response to dominicrowland
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 26, 2014 11:38 AM in response to dominicrowland

    10.10.1 does not help. This is pretty annoying.

  • by alekwald,

    alekwald alekwald Jan 11, 2015 5:28 AM in response to Babaqum
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 11, 2015 5:28 AM in response to Babaqum

    Same problem with me...

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jan 11, 2015 12:30 PM in response to Luis_Mercado
    Level 9 (74,064 points)
    iTunes
    Jan 11, 2015 12:30 PM in response to Luis_Mercado

    Memory leaks and CPU usage – solve - Yosemite

  • by MichaelAye,

    MichaelAye MichaelAye Apr 1, 2015 2:08 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 1, 2015 2:08 PM in response to Eric Root

    I just want to throw BetterSnapTool in the ring. I can't prove it yet, but it seems that after several hours of having it loaded, my iMac 5K with Yosemite (obviously) comes to a crawl regarding scrolling and space changes. Since I killed it, things seem to be more stable. If you need an alternative to betterSnapTool, try Divvy I'm using that for years as well and so far it does not seem to disturb Yosemite.

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