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User profile for user: Ajesh Rn
Ajesh Rn Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Kernel Task, 200%CPU, Fans high, Memory usage 600MB

My laptop was running fine till now and suddenly the fan started running very high. On checking found out that there is a high running kernel task. Can some one help? I saw this tool to check the hardware. I have pasted the results below. I also ran an adware detector but it was clean



EtreCheck version: 2.7.1 (231)

Report generated 2016-01-13 19:50:22

Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

Runtime 7:13

Performance: Below Average


Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Scan for adware] links for help removing adware.




Hardware Information:ⓘ

13" MacBook Pro with Retina display (Late 2013)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro11,1

1 2.8 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

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 625 - SN = D863424T6LWFT5Y19


Video Information:ⓘ

Intel Iris

Color LCD 2560 x 1600


System Software:ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.2 (15C50) - Time since boot: less than an hour


Disk Information:ⓘ

APPLE SSD SD0128F disk0 : (121.33 GB) (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

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

Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 120.11 GB (48.38 GB free)

Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked

Core Storage: disk0s2 120.47 GB Online


USB Information:ⓘ

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller


Thunderbolt Information:ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


Gatekeeper:ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers


Adware:ⓘ

Adware infection possible. [Scan for adware]


Launch Agents:ⓘ

[failed] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist [Support] [Details]

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


Launch Daemons:ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]

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

[loaded] com.malwarebytes.MBAMHelperTool.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.autoupdate.helpertool.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist [Support]


User Launch Agents:ⓘ

[loaded] com.myheritage.familytreebuilder.checkupdates.plist [Support]


User Login Items:ⓘ

iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

Mail Application (/Applications/Mail.app)

Garmin Express Service Application (/Applications/Garmin Express.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Garmin Express Service.app)


Other Apps:ⓘ

[running] com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x10000004.EtreCheck

[running] com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x10000006.Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

[running] com.garmin.renu.service.89952


Internet Plug-ins:ⓘ

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 15.007.20033 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 15.007.20033 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30514.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]


3rd Party Preference Panes:ⓘ

Flash Player [Support]


Time Machine:ⓘ

Time Machine not configured!


Top Processes by CPU:ⓘ

10% SpotlightNetHelper

7% kernel_task

6% mdworker(2)

5% WindowServer

5% hidd


Top Processes by Memory:ⓘ

827 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(6)

638 MB kernel_task

279 MB ocspd

180 MB Finder

106 MB Safari


Virtual Memory Information:ⓘ

3.16 GB Free RAM

4.84 GB Used RAM (1.27 GB Cached)

0 B Swap Used


Diagnostics Information:ⓘ

Jan 13, 2016, 07:39:43 PM Self test - passed

EtreCheck version: 2.7.1 (231)

Report generated 2016-01-13 19:50:22

Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

Runtime 7:13

Performance: Below Average


Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Scan for adware] links for help removing adware.


Problem: No problem - just checking


Hardware Information:ⓘ

13" MacBook Pro with Retina display (Late 2013)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro11,1

1 2.8 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

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 625 - SN = D863424T6LWFT5Y19


Video Information:ⓘ

Intel Iris

Color LCD 2560 x 1600


System Software:ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.2 (15C50) - Time since boot: less than an hour


Disk Information:ⓘ

APPLE SSD SD0128F disk0 : (121.33 GB) (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

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

Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 120.11 GB (48.38 GB free)

Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked

Core Storage: disk0s2 120.47 GB Online


USB Information:ⓘ

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller


Thunderbolt Information:ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


Gatekeeper:ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers


Adware:ⓘ

Adware infection possible. [Scan for adware]


Launch Agents:ⓘ

[failed] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist [Support] [Details]

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


Launch Daemons:ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]

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

[loaded] com.malwarebytes.MBAMHelperTool.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.autoupdate.helpertool.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist [Support]


User Launch Agents:ⓘ

[loaded] com.myheritage.familytreebuilder.checkupdates.plist [Support]


User Login Items:ⓘ

iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

Mail Application (/Applications/Mail.app)

Garmin Express Service Application (/Applications/Garmin Express.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Garmin Express Service.app)


Other Apps:ⓘ

[running] com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x10000004.EtreCheck

[running] com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x10000006.Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

[running] com.garmin.renu.service.89952


Internet Plug-ins:ⓘ

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 15.007.20033 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 15.007.20033 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30514.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]


3rd Party Preference Panes:ⓘ

Flash Player [Support]


Time Machine:ⓘ

Time Machine not configured!


Top Processes by CPU:ⓘ

10% SpotlightNetHelper

7% kernel_task

6% mdworker(2)

5% WindowServer

5% hidd


Top Processes by Memory:ⓘ

827 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(6)

638 MB kernel_task

279 MB ocspd

180 MB Finder

106 MB Safari


Virtual Memory Information:ⓘ

3.16 GB Free RAM

4.84 GB Used RAM (1.27 GB Cached)

0 B Swap Used


Diagnostics Information:ⓘ

Jan 13, 2016, 07:39:43 PM Self test - passed

Posted on Jan 13, 2016 5:01 PM

Reply
16 replies
User profile for user: Linc Davis
Linc Davis
User level: Level 10
209,541 points

Jan 13, 2016 5:41 PM in response to Ajesh Rn

The kernel is using excessive processor cycles. Below are some possible causes for the condition.

FileVault

Please open the Security & Privacy pane in System Preferences and select the FileVault tab. If there's an indication that encryption or decryption is in progress, wait (maybe several hours) for it to finish and see whether there's an improvement.

Throttling

When it gets high temperature readings from the hardware, or low voltage readings from the battery of a MacBook, the kernel may try to compensate by interrupting the processor(s) to slow them down and reduce power consumption. This condition can be due to:

☞ a buildup of dust on the logic board

☞ high ambient temperature

☞ a worn-out or faulty battery in a portable

☞ the malfunction of a cooling fan, a temperature sensor, a voltage sensor, or some other internal component

Note that if the problem is caused by a sensor, there may be no actual overheating or undervoltage.

If the computer is portable, test with and without the AC adapter connected. If kernel_task hogs the processor only on AC power, charging is causing the machine to heat up. That behavior may be normal for some models, but it may also be an indication of a hardware fault.

Apple Diagnostics or the Apple Hardware Test, though not very reliable, is sometimes able to detect a fault. For more thorough hardware testing, make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

If nothing is wrong with the hardware, then whatever you can do to improve cooling may help.

Installed software

User-installed software that includes a device driver or other kernel code may thrash the kernel. That category includes virtualization software, such as Parallels and VMware, as well as most commercial "anti-virus" products. Some system-monitoring applications, such as "iStat," can also contribute to the problem. You can test for this possibility by completely disabling or removing the software according to the developer's instructions, or starting in safe mode. Note, however, that disabling a system modification without removing it or testing in safe mode may not be as easy as you think.

Corrupt NVRAM or SMC data

Sometimes the problem is cleared up by resetting the NVRAM or the SMC.

External display

Connecting an external display to some MacBook Pro models while the lid is open may cause this issue. If applicable, use the external display in clamshell mode.

Other peripherals

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to start up, and remove all third-party expansion cards (if applicable to your model.) If the problem is resolved, reconnect the devices one at a time until you identify the culprit.

Reply
User profile for user: etresoft
etresoft
User level: Level 8
46,098 points

Jan 13, 2016 5:56 PM in response to Ajesh Rn

Hello Ajesh Rn,

It looks like you restarted your machine. Your EtreCheck report doesn't list high kernel CPU usage. But you do have "Below Average" performance. And since you have an SSD machine with 8 GB RAM, that is really bad performance.


I would like to know if you have the same performance under a new user account. Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups and create a new account. Log out of your current account and log in to the new account. Generate another EtreCheck report and post it.


If EtreCheck in this other account reports "Excellent" performance for your machine, then the problem is likely the Garmin software or the FamilyTreeBuilder software. But if the EtreCheck reports looks similar, then I think it would be best to take your machine to an Apple store for diagnostics.

Reply
User profile for user: Ajesh Rn
Ajesh Rn Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jan 13, 2016 7:46 PM in response to etresoft

I tried creating a new account and ran the report again. I will probably takeout to apple support. It was working perfectly file till last week, and all of a sudden this behavior. I haven't installed anything new.


EtreCheck version: 2.7.1 (231)

Report generated 2016-01-13 22:42:15

Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

Runtime 6:33

Performance: Below Average


Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Scan for adware] links for help removing adware.


Problem: Computer is too slow


Hardware Information: ⓘ

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro11,1

1 2.8 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

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 625 - SN = D863424T6LWFT5Y19


Video Information: ⓘ

Intel Iris

Color LCD 2560 x 1600


System Software: ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.2 (15C50) - Time since boot: less than an hour


Disk Information: ⓘ

APPLE SSD SD0128F disk0 : (121.33 GB) (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

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

Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 120.11 GB (48.21 GB free)

Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked

Core Storage: disk0s2 120.47 GB Online


USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller


Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers


Adware: ⓘ

Adware infection possible. [Scan for adware]


Launch Agents: ⓘ

[failed] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist [Support]

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


Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]

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

[loaded] com.malwarebytes.MBAMHelperTool.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.autoupdate.helpertool.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist [Support]


User Login Items: ⓘ

None


Other Apps: ⓘ

[running] com.etresoft.EtreCheck.63392


Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 15.007.20033 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 15.007.20033 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30514.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]


3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player [Support]


Time Machine: ⓘ

Time Machine not configured!


Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

42% com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(8)

20% kernel_task

9% WindowServer

4% mds_stores

4% com.apple.WebKit.Networking(2)


Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

694 MB kernel_task

647 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(8)

352 MB mdworker(29)

229 MB Finder(2)

180 MB Mail(2)


Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

1.97 GB Free RAM

6.03 GB Used RAM (2.07 GB Cached)

0 B Swap Used


Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Jan 13, 2016, 09:37:11 PM Self test - passed


Standard users cannot read /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports.

Run as an administrator account to see more information.

Reply
User profile for user: stevejobsfan0123
stevejobsfan0123
User level: Level 9
54,384 points

Jan 13, 2016 8:14 PM in response to Ajesh Rn

You may or may not have an adware infection, but it doesn't hurt to do a scan with MalwareBytes to be sure. EtreCheck maintains a whitelist of acceptable LaunchAgents and so on, and anything outside of that will get flagged. It may very well be a false positive due to the scope of the scan, but in my opinion, you are better safe than sorry by checking.

Reply
User profile for user: etresoft
etresoft
User level: Level 8
46,098 points

Jan 14, 2016 6:53 AM in response to stevejobsfan0123

stevejobsfan0123 wrote:


You may or may not have an adware infection, but it doesn't hurt to do a scan with MalwareBytes to be sure. EtreCheck maintains a whitelist of acceptable LaunchAgents and so on, and anything outside of that will get flagged. It may very well be a false positive due to the scope of the scan, but in my opinion, you are better safe than sorry by checking.

Hello stevejobsfan0123,

In this case the problem was a bug in EtreCheck's handling of truncated and/or redacted file names like "com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist". I should have an update posted later today that greatly improves the adware detection.

Reply
User profile for user: etresoft
etresoft
User level: Level 8
46,098 points

Jan 15, 2016 2:14 PM in response to Linc Davis

Linc Davis wrote:


I recently tested "etrecheck" myself and got the same warning of a "possible adware infection." I don't have any adware and the warning was completely false.

Hello Linc,

EtreCheck was only released a couple of days ago. It will take some time to collect commonly used software and add it to the whitelist. If you know of any items that are not adware and are triggering false positives, please let me know what they are. I have another update ready to go. All you need to do is reply with a list and your EtreCheck will run clean tomorrow.

Reply

Kernel Task, 200%CPU, Fans high, Memory usage 600MB

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