Kernal_task taking up virtual memory, computer slow

Question

Level 1

123 points

Kernal_task taking up virtual memory, computer slow

I have an iMac 21.5inch late 2013 with 8GB of RAM running OS X 10.11.6. The computer is incredibly slow and hangs up for long periods of time (minutes). In addition, I've noticed when backing up to my Time Capsule (ethernet connection, wifi is off) it will just pause half way through and stay there (e.g., 450MB of 789MB) for 30-45min. Activity monitor shows kernal_task taking up huge amounts of CPU Time (5:02:09), threads (118), idle wake ups (2752), and when I select the process name it shows real memory size of 781.2MB but virtual memory size of 70.51GB.

I don't have any external monitors, hard drives (except the time capsule), etc connected. Any ideas of what I can do?

Thanks!

Posted on Sep 13, 2016 5:39 PM

Reply

Answer 1

BobHarris

Level 9

57,035 points

Sep 13, 2016 7:09 PM in response to Jeff Greene1

Please post the output from EtreCheck

<https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6174> or <http://etrecheck.com>

Reply

Answer 2

Jeff Greene1 Author

Level 1

123 points

Sep 14, 2016 2:49 AM in response to BobHarris

Thanks, here it is

EtreCheck version: 3.0.3 (307)

Report generated 2016-09-14 05:48:49

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 2:59

Performance: Excellent

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

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

Problem: Computer is too slow

Description:

Computer very slow, will hang often during time machine, apps take long time to load but once loaded work ok.

Hardware Information: ⓘ

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)

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

iMac - model: iMac14,1

1 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

Wireless: Unknown

Video Information: ⓘ

Intel Iris Pro

iMac 1920 x 1080

System Software: ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 (15G1004) - Time since boot: less than an hour

Disk Information: ⓘ

APPLE HDD ST1000LM024 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (672.19 GB free)

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

USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub

Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard

Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

/Library/Application Support/Avast/components/fileshield/unsigned

[loaded] com.avast.AvastFileShield (3.0.0 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-08-18) [Support]

/Library/Application Support/Avast/components/proxy/unsigned

[loaded] com.avast.PacketForwarder (2.1 - SDK 10.11 - 2016-08-18) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.Seagate.driver.PowSecDriver (4.3.19 - 2016-09-13) [Support]

[not loaded] com.beceem.BeceemAppleWiMAXAdapter (5.2.56d13 - 2016-09-13) [Support]

[not loaded] com.cisco.nke.ipsec (2.0.1 - 2016-09-13) [Support]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[not loaded] 7 Apple tasks

[loaded] 149 Apple tasks

[running] 82 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[not loaded] 46 Apple tasks

[loaded] 155 Apple tasks

[running] 90 Apple tasks

Launch Agents: ⓘ

[failed] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a725c38014c95072f92651fb65e1bf9c8e43c37a2 3d420d.plist (2016-07-15) [Support]

[running] com.avast.update-agent.plist (2016-08-21) [Support]

[loaded] com.avast.userinit.plist (2016-08-21) [Support]

[loaded] com.cisco.anyconnect.gui.plist (2016-05-03)

[running] com.epson.Epson_Low_Ink_Reminder.launcher.plist (2015-01-19) [Support]

[running] com.epson.ecrp.launcher.plist (2015-06-28) [Support]

[loaded] com.epson.esua.launcher.plist (2016-07-27) [Support]

[running] com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist (2014-09-21) [Support]

[loaded] com.epson.scannermonitor.plist (2015-12-16) [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-07-12) [Support]

[loaded] com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist (2009-07-28) [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2014-10-20) [Support]

Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (2016-07-15) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (2016-07-15) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-06-28) [Support]

[loaded] com.avast.init.plist (2016-08-21) [Support]

[loaded] com.avast.uninstall.plist (2016-08-21) [Support]

[loaded] com.avast.update.plist (2016-08-21) [Support]

[running] com.cisco.anyconnect.vpnagentd.plist (2016-05-03) [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-09-03) [Support]

[running] com.memeo.MemeodSG.plist (2007-12-14) [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2011-03-10) [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2014-10-20) [Support]

User Launch Agents: ⓘ

[failed] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2011-03-30) [Support]

[loaded] com.avast.home.userinit.plist (2016-08-21) [Support]

[loaded] uk.co.markallan.clamxav.freshclam.plist (2013-10-26) [Support]

User Login Items: ⓘ

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

BetterSnapTool Application (/Applications/BetterSnapTool.app)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

o1dbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-15) [Support]

AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin1017277: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 (2012-10-01) [Support]

Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-07-18)

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: 12.3.4 (2012-09-22) [Support]

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 15.017.20053 - SDK 10.11 (2016-08-07) [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: 22.0.0.209 - SDK 10.9 (2016-07-22) [Support]

Silverlight: 5.1.40728.0 - SDK 10.6 (2015-10-01) [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-07-18)

Flash Player: 22.0.0.209 - SDK 10.9 (2016-07-22) Outdated! Update

AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 (2012-07-10) [Support]

googletalkbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-11) [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: 15.017.20053 - SDK 10.11 (2016-08-07) [Support]

iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 (2008-10-27)

SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.6.6 - SDK 10.6 (2016-07-23) [Support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 77 build 03 (2016-04-01) Check version

User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

rbjninstallplugin_2.5.111.8: rbjninstallplugin 2.5.111.8 - SDK 10.8 (2014-04-28) [Support]

rbjnplugin_2.5.111.8: rbjnplugin 2.5.111.8 - SDK 10.8 (2014-04-28) [Support]

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player (2016-06-28) [Support]

Java (2016-04-01) [Support]

Time Machine: ⓘ

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 327.16 GB

Destinations:

Data [Network]

Total size: 2.00 TB

Total number of backups: 92

Oldest backup: 12/26/14, 6:13 PM

Last backup: 9/13/16, 9:21 PM

Size of backup disk: Adequate

Backup size 2.00 TB > (Disk used 327.16 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

9% mdworker(21)

8% mds_stores

6% kernel_task

4% mds

2% WindowServer

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

712 MB kernel_task

418 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(5)

401 MB mdworker(21)

344 MB mds_stores

229 MB com.avast.daemon

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

1.55 GB Free RAM

6.44 GB Used RAM (4.02 GB Cached)

0 B Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Sep 14, 2016, 05:34:00 AM Self test - passed

Reply

Answer 3

Sep 14, 2016 4:57 PM in response to Jeff Greene1

Remove the Avast software. Your machine doesn't need it.

Reply

Answer 4

Jeff Greene1 Author

Level 1

123 points

Sep 14, 2016 6:22 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

I will do that, but the problem existed well before I installed Avast. Actually, that's why I installed it; I thought I might have a virus, but Avast did not find anything. Any other thoughts? I really appreciate the help.

Reply

Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Sep 14, 2016 8:20 AM in response to Jeff Greene1

You might try quitting/uninstalling the cisco anyconnect software.

Try booting into the Safe Mode and then rebooting.

Avast

Avast Un-install

Safe Mode - About El Capitan

Safe Mode Startup – El Capitan.

Reply

Answer 6

BobHarris

Level 9

57,035 points

Sep 14, 2016 4:57 PM in response to Eric Root

AnyConnect might be needed for accessing work. It is for me, and it is nit causing me any problems,

Reply

Answer 7

BobHarris

Level 9

57,035 points

Sep 14, 2016 10:15 AM in response to Jeff Greene1

[not loaded] com.Seagate.driver.PowSecDriver (4.3.19 - 2016-09-13) [Support]

You most likely do not need this. It is not the problem, just house cleaning.

Avast should go. You said the problem existed before Avast, but you should still remove it. Anti-virus packages are a huge percentage of the performance complaints received in the forums.

How does Mac OS X protect me?

<http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg-builtin/>

[loaded] uk.co.markallan.clamxav.freshclam.plist (2013-10-26) [Support]

You do not need ClamXAV either.

You took this EtreCheck shortly after rebooting. You should really wait until your Mac is showing some of the performance issues, but before it has wedged to collect the EtreCheck data, that way it might show us some of the performance info related to the issues.

[running] com.memeo.MemeodSG.plist (2007-12-14) [Support]

Are you currently using this backup software? If not, suggest you remove it.

BetterSnapTool Application (/Applications/BetterSnapTool.app)

FYI - BetterTouchTool has all the features of BetterSnapTool (same author), but includes a lot more features.

Besides the anti-virus packages, I do not see a lot wrong. An EtreCheck report when the performance issues are happening might be more helpful.

Also the virtual memory size of any task is of interest only to the software developer. It is just imaginary addresses, and since the kernel needs to manage everything, it is may need to have a large virtual address space. The kernel's virtual address space usage is not your performance problem.

Finally, you are posting in the Mavericks forum, but you are running El Capitan. I'm going to ask the moderators to move this thread to the El Capitan forum.

Reply

Answer 8

Jeff Greene1 Author

Level 1

123 points

Sep 14, 2016 4:57 PM in response to BobHarris

Yup, I need it for work too.

Reply

Answer 9

Jeff Greene1 Author

Level 1

123 points

Sep 14, 2016 5:18 PM in response to BobHarris

This is all helpful, thanks! I'm not running memo or clamxav, but I guess the .plist files are leftover from an uninstall. How do I find those to get rid of them? I suspect they are hidden because I did a search and they didn't come up.

And thanks for recommending the move of the thread!

I'm letting the computer run for a while now and will post new etracheck output soon.

Reply

Answer 10

BobHarris

Level 9

57,035 points

Sep 14, 2016 6:31 PM in response to Jeff Greene1

EasyFind (free download)

<http://www.devontechnologies.com/products/freeware.html>

That should help you find any file anywhere on your disk.

Finder -> Go -> Go to folder -> /Library/LaunchAgents

Finder -> Go -> Go to folder -> /Library/LaunchDaemons

Finder -> Go -> Go to folder -> ~/Library/LaunchAgents (that is a tilda, typically found in the upper left corner of the keyboard)

Reply

Answer 11

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,233 points

Sep 15, 2016 12:17 AM in response to Jeff Greene1

I see the kernel task taking grow in the same manner if I have not restarted for four days or so and I have 20 GB RAM in my late 2011 21.5" iMac. To be honest, I have not gotten any clues from EtreCheck as it doesn't really tell me what is driving the kernel task. I can often get it to shrink after quitting Safari, but the real answer for me is to simply restart. If it ever became a persistent problem, I'm sure I would be more concerned.

I do notice that both Flash Player and Silverlight are out-of-date. Haven't heard whether those are due to security issues or not, but usually are.

I don't recognize those two rbjninstallplugin User Plugins. Apparently they have something to do with BlueJeans software? In any case, I see at least fifteen cases here in the Forum over the years with complaints similar to yours

Reply

Answer 12

Jeff Greene1 Author

Level 1

123 points

Sep 15, 2016 1:36 AM in response to MadMacs0

I'm not sure what the rbjn... plugins are either. I did upgrade Flash last night and will do the same with Silverlight now, thanks.

After removing the .plist things above the computer was running pretty well last night. But this morning, after being asleep overnight, the computer is beginning to slow down. It's not as bad as it was, but I'm wondering if it will continue to get worse over time. In the past a restart didn't help much, but perhaps now it will. Here's my latest EtreCheck, which does show a downgrade from "Excellent" performance when I checked last night to "Good" this morning. Any other ideas would be appreciated:

EtreCheck version: 3.0.3 (307)

Report generated 2016-09-15 04:30:44

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 3:30

Performance: Good

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

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

Problem: Computer is too slow

Hardware Information: ⓘ

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)

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

iMac - model: iMac14,1

1 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

Wireless: Unknown

Video Information: ⓘ

Intel Iris Pro

iMac 1920 x 1080

System Software: ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 (15G1004) - Time since boot: about 6 hours

Disk Information: ⓘ

APPLE HDD ST1000LM024 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (669.64 GB free)

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

USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub

Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard

Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.Seagate.driver.PowSecDriver (4.3.19 - 2016-09-13) [Support]

[not loaded] com.beceem.BeceemAppleWiMAXAdapter (5.2.56d13 - 2016-09-13) [Support]

[not loaded] com.cisco.nke.ipsec (2.0.1 - 2016-09-13) [Support]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[not loaded] 7 Apple tasks

[loaded] 153 Apple tasks

[running] 78 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[not loaded] 46 Apple tasks

[loaded] 156 Apple tasks

[running] 89 Apple tasks