Kernel_Task is taking up 14+ gigs out of 16 gigs

Question

I can&#x27;t seem to find an absolute answer to this problem.This happens almost overtime I use my mac now, and it slows everything down significantly

Linc Davis · Answer

Please hold down the option key and select System Information... from the Apple menu. The System Information window will open. Select          Software ▹ Extensionsfrom the menu on the left. After a delay of a minute or so, a list of all installed kernel extensions should appear in the upper right pane of the window.In the extension list, click the heading of the column Obtained from twice to sort it by source, with Apple at the bottom. At or near the top, you may see a group of extensions from an "Identified Developer." Select only those extensions (if any) by holding down the shift key and clicking the first and last in that group. Information about them will now appear in the lower right pane of the window. Copy the contents of that pane to the Clipboard and paste into a reply to this message.

JezarKA · Answer

Hey Linc, thanks, hope this helpsHeader 2Header 1Header 2ACS6x:  Version: 3.1.8  Last Modified: 6/12/14, 6:57 PM  Bundle ID: com.Accusys.driver.Acxxx  Loaded: No  Get Info String: ACS6x 3.1.8 Copyright (c) 2004-2014 Accusys, Inc.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/ACS6x.kext  Kext Version: 3.1.8  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Accusys,Inc (K3TDMD9Y6B), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAArcMSR:  Version: 1.3.7  Last Modified: 8/20/13, 2:47 PM  Bundle ID: com.Areca.ArcMSR  Loaded: No  Get Info String: Areca Driver 1.3.7  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/ArcMSR.kext  Kext Version: 1.3.7  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Areca Technology Corporation (34JN824YNC), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAATTOCelerityFC8:  Version: 2.1.3  Last Modified: 8/26/13, 4:36 PM  Bundle ID: com.ATTO.driver.ATTOCelerityFC8  Loaded: No  Get Info String: ATTO Celerity FC Driver 2.1.3 Copyright 2008-2013, ATTO Technology, Inc.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/ATTOCelerityFC8.kext  Kext Version: 2.1.3  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: ATTO Technology, Inc. (FC94733TZD), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAATTOExpressSASHBA2:  Version: 2.1.0  Last Modified: 8/26/13, 4:40 PM  Bundle ID: com.ATTO.driver.ATTOExpressSASHBA2  Loaded: No  Get Info String: ATTO ExpressSAS HBA Driver 2.1.0 Copyright 2008-2013, ATTO Technology, Inc.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/ATTOExpressSASHBA2.kext  Kext Version: 2.1.0  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: ATTO Technology, Inc. (FC94733TZD), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAATTOExpressSASRAID2:  Version: 3.1.5  Last Modified: 8/26/13, 4:43 PM  Bundle ID: com.ATTO.driver.ATTOExpressSASRAID2  Loaded: No  Get Info String: ATTO ExpressSAS RAID Driver 3.1.5 Copyright 2009-2013, ATTO Technology, Inc.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/ATTOExpressSASRAID2.kext  Kext Version: 3.1.5  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: ATTO Technology, Inc. (FC94733TZD), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAAVFrameBuffer:  Version: 1.7  Last Modified: 8/8/14, 7:25 PM  Bundle ID: com.avatron.AVExFramebuffer  Loaded: Yes  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/AVFrameBuffer.kext  Kext Version: 1.7  Load Address: 18446743521819300000  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Avatron Software, Inc. (Q5WUPV45V9), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAAVVideoCard:  Version: 1.7  Last Modified: 8/8/14, 7:25 PM  Bundle ID: com.avatron.AVExVideo  Loaded: Yes  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/AVVideoCard.kext  Kext Version: 1.7  Load Address: 18446743521819200000  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Avatron Software, Inc. (Q5WUPV45V9), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CABJUSBLoad:  Version: 10.75.21  Last Modified: 8/20/14, 8:57 PM  Bundle ID: jp.co.canon.bj.print.BJUSBLoad  Loaded: No  Get Info String: BJUSBLoad version 10.75.21, Copyright CANON INC. 2004-2014  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Location: /Library/Extensions/BJUSBLoad.kext  Kext Version: 10.75.21  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Canon Inc. (XE2XNRRXZ5), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CABlackmagic_Multibridge_Driver:  Version: 10.5.1  Last Modified: 11/10/15, 12:35 AM  Bundle ID: com.blackmagic-design.desktopvideo.multibridge.iokit.driver  Loaded: No  Get Info String: Blackmagic Multibridge Driver 10.5.1, Copyright 2004-2008 Blackmagic Design  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/Blackmagic_Multibridge_Driver.kext  Kext Version: 10.5.1  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Blackmagic Design Inc (9ZGFBWLSYP), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CABlackmagicIO:  Version: 10.5.1  Last Modified: 11/10/15, 12:35 AM  Bundle ID: com.blackmagic-design.driver.BlackmagicIO  Loaded: No  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/BlackmagicIO.kext  Kext Version: 10.5.1  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Blackmagic Design Inc (9ZGFBWLSYP), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CABlackmagicUsbIO:  Version: 10.5.1  Last Modified: 11/10/15, 12:35 AM  Bundle ID: com.blackmagic-design.driver.BlackmagicUsbIO  Loaded: No  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/BlackmagicUsbIO.kext  Kext Version: 10.5.1  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Blackmagic Design Inc (9ZGFBWLSYP), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CACalDigitHDProDrv:  Version: 2.1.2  Last Modified: 8/31/13, 11:44 PM  Bundle ID: com.CalDigit.driver.HDPro  Loaded: No  Get Info String: CalDigitHDProDrv 2.1.2 Copyright (c) 2004-2009 CalDigit, Inc.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/CalDigitHDProDrv.kext  Kext Version: 2.1.2  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: CalDigit, Inc (8R7PS6VYW7), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CACIJUSBLoad:  Version: 13.0.10  Last Modified: 10/6/14, 12:43 AM  Bundle ID: jp.co.canon.ij.print.CIJUSBLoad  Loaded: No  Get Info String: CIJUSBLoad version 13.0.10, Copyright CANON INC. 2004-2014  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Location: /Library/Extensions/CIJUSBLoad.kext  Kext Version: 13.0.10  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Canon Inc. (XE2XNRRXZ5), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CADeckLink_Driver:  Version: 10.5.1  Last Modified: 11/10/15, 12:35 AM  Bundle ID: com.blackmagic-design.desktopvideo.iokit.driver  Loaded: No  Get Info String: DeckLink Driver 10.5.1, Copyright (c) 2001-2009 Blackmagic Design.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/DeckLink_Driver.kext  Kext Version: 10.5.1  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Blackmagic Design Inc (9ZGFBWLSYP), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CADeckLink_File:  Version: 10.5.1  Last Modified: 11/10/15, 12:35 AM  Bundle ID: com.blackmagic-design.desktopvideo.firmware  Loaded: No  Get Info String: DeckLink Driver 10.5.1, Copyright (c) 2001-2008 Blackmagic Design.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/DeckLink_Driver.kext/Contents/PlugIns/DeckLink_File.kext  Kext Version: 10.5.1  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Blackmagic Design Inc (9ZGFBWLSYP), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CADeckLinkFrameBufferDriver:  Version: 10.5.1  Last Modified: 11/10/15, 12:35 AM  Bundle ID: com.blackmagic-design.desktopvideo.iokit.framebufferdriver  Loaded: No  Get Info String: DeckLink Frame Buffer Driver 10.5.1, Copyright (c) 2001-2011 Blackmagic Design  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/DeckLinkFrameBufferDriver.kext  Kext Version: 10.5.1  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Blackmagic Design Inc (9ZGFBWLSYP), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAHighPointIOP:  Version: 4.3.2  Last Modified: 8/14/14, 7:38 PM  Bundle ID: com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointIOP  Loaded: No  Get Info String: Version: 4.3.2, Copyright (c) 2014 HighPoint Technologies, Inc.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/HighPointIOP.kext  Kext Version: 4.3.2  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: HighPoint Technologies, Inc (DX6G69M9N2), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAHighPointRR:  Version: 4.3.3  Last Modified: 8/14/14, 7:39 PM  Bundle ID: com.highpoint-tech.kext.HighPointRR  Loaded: No  Get Info String: Version: 4.3.3, Copyright (c) 2014 HighPoint Technologies, Inc.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/HighPointRR.kext  Kext Version: 4.3.3  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: HighPoint Technologies, Inc (DX6G69M9N2), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAhp_Inkjet1_io_enabler:  Version: 3.3.0  Last Modified: 3/24/14, 9:16 AM  Bundle ID: com.hp.print.hpio.Inkjet1.kext  Loaded: No  Get Info String: hp_Inkjet1_io_enabler 3.3.0, Copyright (c) 2008-2014 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Location: /System/Library/Extensions/hp_Inkjet1_io_enabler.kext  Kext Version: 3.3.0  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Hewlett Packard (6HB5Y2QTA3), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAhp_Inkjet1_io_enabler:  Version: 3.3.0  Last Modified: 3/24/14, 9:16 AM  Bundle ID: com.hp.print.hpio.Inkjet1.kext  Loaded: No  Get Info String: hp_Inkjet1_io_enabler 3.3.0, Copyright (c) 2008-2014 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Location: /Library/Extensions/hp_Inkjet1_io_enabler.kext  Kext Version: 3.3.0  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Hewlett Packard (6HB5Y2QTA3), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CALogMeInSoundDriver:  Version: 1.0.3  Last Modified: 7/23/14, 1:42 AM  Bundle ID: com.logmein.driver.LogMeInSoundDriver  Loaded: Yes  Get Info String: Version 1.0.3 Copyright (c) 2003-2014 LogMeIn, Inc.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: i386, x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /System/Library/Extensions/LogMeInSoundDriver.kext  Kext Version: 1.0.3  Load Address: 18446743521827800000  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: LogMeIn, Inc. (GFNFVT632V), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CAPromiseSTEX:  Version: 5.2.10  Last Modified: 4/27/14, 11:53 PM  Bundle ID: com.promise.driver.stex  Loaded: No  Get Info String: Version: 5.2.10, Copyright (c) 2010-2014 Promise Technology, Inc.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/PromiseSTEX.kext  Kext Version: 5.2.10  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: Promise Technology Mobile Apps (268CCUR4WN), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CASoftRAID:  Version: 5.0.9  Last Modified: 7/20/15, 8:13 PM  Bundle ID: com.softraid.driver.SoftRAID  Loaded: No  Get Info String: SoftRAID version 5.0.9, Copyright © 2002-15 OWC Holdings, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Obtained from: Identified Developer  Kind: Intel  Architectures: x86_64  64-Bit (Intel): Yes  Location: /Library/Extensions/SoftRAID.kext  Kext Version: 5.0.9  Loadable: Yes  Dependencies: Satisfied  Signed by: Developer ID Application: SoftRAID LLC (NDGSU3WA4Y), Developer ID Certification Authority, Apple Root CA

Linc Davis · Answer

These system modifications may do something useful to you, but any or all could be contributing to the problem:  Air Display  LogMeInIf you want to keep them, do a trial removal to find out whether they&#x27;re at fault, and refer to the developers for support if they are. Some or all may need to be updated.Any third-party software that doesn&#x27;t install from the App Store or by drag-and-drop into the Applications folder, and uninstall by drag-and-drop to the Trash, is a system modification.Whenever you remove system modifications, they must be removed completely, and the only way to do that is to use the uninstallation tool, if any, provided by the developers, or to follow their instructions. If the software has been incompletely removed, you may have to re-download or even reinstall it in order to finish the job.I never install system modifications myself, and except as stated in this comment, I don&#x27;t know how to uninstall them. You&#x27;ll have to do your own research to find that information.Here are some general guidelines to get you started. Suppose you want to remove something called “BrickMyMac” (a hypothetical example.) First, consult the product&#x27;s Help menu, if there is one, for instructions. Finding none there, look on the developer&#x27;s website, say www.brickmymac.com. (That may not be the actual name of the site; if necessary, search the Web for the product name.) If you don’t find anything on the website or in your search, contact the developer. While you&#x27;re waiting for a response, download BrickMyMac.dmg and open it. There may be an application in there such as “Uninstall BrickMyMac.” If not, open “BrickMyMac.pkg” and look for an Uninstall button. The uninstaller might also be accessed by clicking the Customize button, if there is one.Back up all data before making any changes.You will generally have to restart the computer in order to complete an uninstallation. Until you do that, there may be no effect, or unpredictable effects.If you can’t remove software in any other way, you’ll have to erase and install OS X. Never install any third-party software unless you&#x27;re sure you know how to uninstall it; otherwise you may create problems that are very hard to solve.Trying to remove complex system modifications by hunting for files by name often will not work and may make the problem worse. The same goes for "utilities" such as "AppCleaner" and the like that purport to remove software.