iCloud Documents Sync High CPU Usage (bird process)

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Level 1

9 points

iCloud Documents Sync High CPU Usage (bird process)

Since upgrading to High Sierra I have noticed high CPU usage of a process called "bird" which is in fact iCloud sync service. This usually happens every time I wake up my MBP from sleep or when I save a new file in the synced folder. The process consumes almost 100% CPU for a long time causing my laptop loose the battery power and starting to get hot.

When I look what's going on in terminal ("brctl log --wait --shorten"), I can see repeating message which might be related:

Version to make live has only metadata changes with current version:

[debug 2017-11-28 20:21:46.257] bird

can't open by fileID:0 [22: Invalid argument]

When I look in the Finder window, I don't see any iCloud related activity happening (no file is being uploaded or downloaded).

Do you have any ideas to find out what is causing the issue please?

Thanks!

Petr

OSX 10.13.1, MPB mid 2014, 128 GB SSD.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS High Sierra (10.13.1)

Posted on Nov 28, 2017 11:45 AM

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Answer 1

sterling r

Community Specialist

Dec 1, 2017 4:48 PM in response to Peteger

Hello Peteger,

I understand that you are having an issue with Mac having high CPU usage, and losing power. I use my device a lot and know how important it is to have your device working the way you expect, and I'm here to help.

Here is a resource that can help you:

How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac

Have a great day!

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Answer 2

Peteger Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 2, 2017 2:43 AM in response to sterling r

Hello,

thank you very much for the suggestion. I tried that and unfortunately this does not resolve the high CPU issue with bird process.

I performed a quick test with downloading a small file (2 MB) to /Documents/Downloads folder and this triggered bird process to use 99% of CPU for 10 minutes with all the heating and spinning fans stuff. Remaining battery went from 5:00 hrs to 2:30 hrs.

I have to mention that I ma using 2 TB of iCloud storage and I have a lot of files stored there. Maybe with every single small upload iCloud Drive process doing some extensive processing or indexing.

Thanks

Petr

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Answer 3

Peteger Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 22, 2017 2:18 PM in response to Peteger

Is there anyone else facing the same issue? If so, would you please have a look at the terminal log ("brctl log --wait --shorten") if you can see repeating the same message over and over again?

┏ requesting to stage <private>

┃ server: <private>

┃ local: <private>

[debug 2017-12-22 23:07:29.776] bird

┃ Not being greedy even though the document is small <private>: QL can’t generate a thumbnail for public.html

[debug 2017-12-22 23:07:29.776] bird

┃ Version to make live has only metadata changes with current version:

[debug 2017-12-22 23:07:29.777] bird

┃ Apply Changes[36232]: state:inactive options:<private> (thumbnail:inactive losers:inactive)

Thanks,

Petr

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Answer 4

Dec 5, 2017 8:49 AM in response to Peteger

I have the same problem with a MacBook Pro 2017 and iCloud drive enabled. I've been using Dropbox for years and it never used that much power. Apple, please fix this.

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