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Late 2014 Mac Mini kernel task slows down computer

Hi,


I've notice my computer's fan has been constantly on and the kernel task usage is really high. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.


EtreCheck version: 4.1.1 (4A179)

Report generated: 2018-03-09 05:13:53

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 28:56

Performance: Poor


Problem: Computer is too slow

Description:

Kernel_Task slowing down computer


Major Issues:

Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.


No Time Machine backup - Time Machine backup not found.

Poor performance - EtreCheck report took over 10 minutes to run. This is very unusual.


Minor Issues:

These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems.


Heavy RAM usage - This machine is using a large amount of RAM.

Unsigned files - There is unsigned software installed. They appear to be legitimate but should be reviewed.


Hardware Information:

Mac mini (Late 2014)

Mac mini Model: Macmini7,1

1 2.6 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-4278U) CPU: 2-core

8 GB RAM Not upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 ok


Video Information:

Intel Iris - VRAM: 1536 MB

DELL U2515H 2560 x 1440 @ 60 Hz


Drives:

disk0 - APPLE HDD HTS541010A9E662 1.00 TB (Mechanical)

Internal SATA 3 Gigabit Serial ATA

disk0s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB

disk0s2 [Core Storage Container] 999.35 GB

disk1 - Macintosh HD (Journaled HFS+) 998.98 GB

disk0s3 - Recovery HD (Journaled HFS+) [Recovery] 650 MB


Mounted Volumes:

disk1 - Macintosh HD 998.98 GB (766.46 GB free)

Journaled HFS+

Mount point: /


Network:

Interface Bluetooth-Modem: Bluetooth DUN

Interface en0: Ethernet

Interface en1: Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

One IPv4 address

3 IPv6 addresses

Interface en4: Bluetooth PAN

Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge

iCloud Quota: 4.81 GB available

iCloud Status: 15 pending files


System Software:

macOS Sierra 10.12.6 (16G1212)

Time since boot: About 16 hours

System Load: 25.54 (1 min ago) 19.01 (5 min ago) 11.03 (15 min ago)


Configuration Files:

/etc/hosts - Count: 6


Security:

SystemStatus
GatekeeperMac App Store and identified developers
System Integrity ProtectionEnabled


Unsigned Files:

Launchd: /Library/LaunchAgents/com.brother.LOGINserver.plist

Executable: /Library/Printers/Brother/Utilities/Server/LOGINserver.app/Contents/MacOS/LOGIN server

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK


Kernel Extensions:

/Library/Extensions

[Loaded] Dropbox.kext (Dropbox, Inc., 1.8.8 - SDK 10.11)


System Launch Agents:

[Not Loaded] 7 Apple tasks
[Loaded] 181 Apple tasks
[Running] 97 Apple tasks


System Launch Daemons:

[Not Loaded] 42 Apple tasks
[Loaded] 177 Apple tasks
[Running] 99 Apple tasks
[Other] 2 Apple tasks


Launch Agents:

[Not Loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (? ffb65062 - installed 2018-02-09)
[Other] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a725c38014c95072f92651fb65e1bf9c8e43c37a2 3d420d.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2018-03-06)
[Running] com.brother.LOGINserver.plist (? a1772de2 - installed 2016-10-24)


Launch Daemons:

[Loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2018-03-06)
[Loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2018-03-06)


User Launch Agents:

[Loaded] com.dropbox.DropboxMacUpdate.agent.plist (Dropbox, Inc. - installed 2017-08-10)
[Loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (? 0 - installed 2016-01-15)


User Login Items:

iTunesHelper Application (Apple, Inc. - installed 2018-03-06)

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

AdobeResourceSynchronizer Application (Adobe Systems, Inc.

(/Applications/Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.app/Contents/Helpers/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)

Dropbox Application (Dropbox, Inc.

(/Applications/Dropbox.app)


Internet Plug-ins:

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 17.012.20098 (installed 2018-02-06)

AdobePDFViewer: 18.011.20035 (installed 2018-02-06)

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (installed 2018-03-06)

AdobeAAMDetect: AdobeAAMDetect 1.0.0.0 (installed 2018-02-09)


Time Machine:

Time Machine Not Configured!


Top Processes by CPU:

Process (count)Source% of CPU
plugin-container (4)Mozilla Corporation42
firefoxMozilla Corporation26
WindowServerApple11
kernel_taskApple5
hiddApple4


Top Processes by Memory:

Process (count)SourceRAM usage
plugin-container (4)Mozilla Corporation2.36 GB
kernel_taskApple692 MB
firefoxMozilla Corporation687 MB
mdworker (11)Apple296 MB
Dropbox (3)Dropbox, Inc.216 MB


Top Processes by Network Use:

ProcessSourceInputOutput
DropboxDropbox, Inc.19 MB3 MB
mDNSResponderApple2 MB32 KB
firefoxMozilla Corporation1 MB487 KB
netbiosdApple73 KB3 KB
apsdApple17 KB40 KB


Top Processes by Energy Use:

Process (count)SourceEnergy usage (0-100)
plugin-container (4)Mozilla Corporation6
WindowServerApple6
mdworker (3)2
firefoxMozilla Corporation1
Dropbox (3)Dropbox, Inc.0


Virtual Memory Information:

Available RAM1.56 GB
Free RAM16 MB
Used RAM6.44 GB
Cached files1.54 GB
Swap Used19 MB


Diagnostics Information (past 7 days):

2018-03-08 17:52:14 mdworker Crash (once)

import fstype:hfs fsflag:480D000 flags:240000007E diag:0 isXCode:0 uti:com.adobe.pdf plugin:/Library/Spotlight/PDF.mdimporter - find suspect file using: sudo mdutil -t 3058576

2018-03-08 13:35:19 Dropbox.app CPU (once)

2018-03-06 12:20:11 mtmd Crash (once)

dyld: launch, loading dependent libraries

2018-03-06 12:06:45 Firefox.app Crash (once)


End of report

Mac mini, macOS Sierra (10.12.6), Late 2014

Posted on Mar 9, 2018 5:30 AM

Reply

Similar questions

15 replies

Mar 14, 2018 6:10 AM in response to KingHank

Actually your Mac Mini is running cold, because the fan is running at full speed.


1. Try resetting the SMC, as per > How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

2. I'm not familiar with the monitoring utility, but it looks like the Intel GPU could be causing the fan to run full out.

User uploaded file


I actually dis-like suggesting that you install another monitoring utility (given your current other problems), but it might be worth it to compare the readouts.

Mar 12, 2018 12:58 PM in response to den.thed

So I uninstalled Firefox and it still runs pretty slow. The fan still constantly on.

EtreCheck version: 4.1.3 (4A188)

Report generated: 2018-03-12 12:48:19

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 18:35

Performance: Poor


Problem: Computer is too slow

Description:

Computer runs really really really slow


Major Issues:

Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.


No Time Machine backup - Time Machine backup not found.

Stuck iCloud - This machine has a large number of pending iCloud transfers.

Poor performance - EtreCheck report took over 10 minutes to run. This is very unusual.


Minor Issues:

These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems.


Unsigned files - There is unsigned software installed. They appear to be legitimate but should be reviewed.


Hardware Information:

Mac mini (Late 2014)

Mac mini Model: Macmini7,1

1 2.6 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-4278U) CPU: 2-core

8 GB RAM Not upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 ok


Video Information:

Intel Iris - VRAM: 1536 MB

DELL U2515H 2560 x 1440 @ 60 Hz


Drives:

disk0 - APPLE HDD HTS541010A9E662 1.00 TB (Mechanical)

Internal SATA 3 Gigabit Serial ATA

disk0s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB

disk0s2 [Core Storage Container] 999.35 GB

disk1 - Macintosh HD (Journaled HFS+) 998.98 GB

disk0s3 - Recovery HD (Journaled HFS+) [Recovery] 650 MB


Mounted Volumes:

disk1 - Macintosh HD 998.98 GB (761.99 GB free)

Journaled HFS+

Mount point: /


Network:

Interface Bluetooth-Modem: Bluetooth DUN

Interface en0: Ethernet

Interface en1: Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

One IPv4 address

3 IPv6 addresses

Interface en4: Bluetooth PAN

Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge

iCloud Quota: 4.81 GB available

iCloud Status: 12 pending files


System Software:

macOS Sierra 10.12.6 (16G1212)

Time since boot: Less than an hour

System Load: 5.05 (1 min ago) 8.71 (5 min ago) 19.79 (15 min ago)


Configuration Files:

/etc/hosts - Count: 6


Security:

SystemStatus
GatekeeperMac App Store and identified developers
System Integrity ProtectionEnabled


Unsigned Files:

Launchd: /Library/LaunchAgents/com.brother.LOGINserver.plist

Executable: /Library/Printers/Brother/Utilities/Server/LOGINserver.app/Contents/MacOS/LOGIN server

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK


Kernel Extensions:

/Library/Extensions

[Loaded] Dropbox.kext (Dropbox, Inc., 1.8.8 - SDK 10.11)


System Launch Agents:

[Not Loaded] 7 Apple tasks
[Loaded] 188 Apple tasks
[Running] 90 Apple tasks


System Launch Daemons:

[Not Loaded] 42 Apple tasks
[Loaded] 177 Apple tasks
[Running] 99 Apple tasks
[Other] 2 Apple tasks


Launch Agents:

[Not Loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (? ffb65062 - installed 2018-02-09)
[Other] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a725c38014c95072f92651fb65e1bf9c8e43c37a2 3d420d.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2018-03-06)
[Running] com.brother.LOGINserver.plist (? a1772de2 - installed 2016-10-24)


Launch Daemons:

[Loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2018-03-06)
[Loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2018-03-06)


User Launch Agents:

[Loaded] com.dropbox.DropboxMacUpdate.agent.plist (Dropbox, Inc. - installed 2017-08-10)
[Loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (? 0 - installed 2016-01-15)


User Login Items:

iTunesHelper Application (Apple, Inc. - installed 2018-03-06)

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

AdobeResourceSynchronizer Application (Adobe Systems, Inc.

(/Applications/Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.app/Contents/Helpers/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)

Dropbox Application (Dropbox, Inc.

(/Applications/Dropbox.app)


Internet Plug-ins:

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 17.012.20098 (installed 2018-03-09)

AdobePDFViewer: 18.011.20038 (installed 2018-03-09)

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (installed 2018-03-06)

AdobeAAMDetect: AdobeAAMDetect 1.0.0.0 (installed 2018-02-09)


Time Machine:

Time Machine Not Configured!


Top Processes by CPU:

Process (count)Source% of CPU
WindowServerApple16
kernel_taskApple3
Dropbox (3)Dropbox, Inc.1
launchdApple0
DockApple0


Top Processes by Memory:

Process (count)SourceRAM usage
kernel_taskApple743 MB
Dropbox (3)Dropbox, Inc.282 MB
mds_storesApple144 MB
sandboxdApple128 MB
WindowServerApple99 MB


Top Processes by Network Use:

ProcessSourceInputOutput
DropboxDropbox, Inc.403 KB514 KB
mDNSResponderApple644 KB5 KB
apsdApple9 KB17 KB
netbiosdApple22 KB3 KB
ntpdApple1 KB1 KB


Top Processes by Energy Use:

Process (count)SourceEnergy usage (0-100)
Dropbox (3)Dropbox, Inc.6
WindowServerApple5
com.apple.iCloudHelperApple0
syncdefaultsdApple0
launchdApple0


Virtual Memory Information:

Available RAM5.14 GB
Free RAM2.23 GB
Used RAM2.86 GB
Cached files2.91 GB
Swap Used0 B


Diagnostics Information (past 7 days):

2018-03-10 23:02:46 ControlCenter.app Crash (once)

2018-03-10 19:20:39 mdworker Crash (once)

import fstype:hfs fsflag:480D000 flags:240000007E diag:0 isXCode:0 uti:com.adobe.pdf plugin:/Library/Spotlight/PDF.mdimporter - find suspect file using: sudo mdutil -t 3106141

2018-03-09 10:13:15 Safari.app Crash (once)

2018-03-09 10:11:00 quicklookd.app Crash (once)

quicklookd seems struck trying to quit, crashing

abort() called

2018-03-08 13:35:19 Dropbox.app CPU (once)

2018-03-06 12:20:11 mtmd Crash (once)

dyld: launch, loading dependent libraries

2018-03-06 12:06:45 Firefox.app Crash (once)


End of report

Mar 12, 2018 2:53 PM in response to KingHank

Looks like removing Firefox helped some. That iCloud stuff doesn't look great. I think High Sierra may be slightly buggy syncing and uploading to the cloud on a mini. Maybe try getting into preferences and disable iCloud updates. If that makes an improvement you could try re-enabling one at a time until they are all done? I only say this because my iTunes sync is a bit wonky between the mini, iPod, and iCloud. Doesn't slow me down but there are not 12 pending uploads either.

Late 2014 Mac Mini kernel task slows down computer

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