UserEventAgent causes high CPU usage + fans go crazy + overheating

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Level 1

9 points

UserEventAgent causes high CPU usage + fans go crazy + overheating

Please HELP:

I'm on MacBook Air (Early 2015) with High Sierra 10.13.6.

Though I haven't been using any "heavy" applications, in the past few hours my fans have been rotating like crazy, the computer - overheated, and when I check the Activity Monitor I find that UserEventAgent (User: root) has been using between 80-95% of my CPU.

I tried reseting my SMC - no good.

I read posts about similar issues in the past - most of them solved after a software update (none is available for me).

Important note: the problem persist only when logged in with my user; when logging in using 'guest'/other user - all is fine.

What to do? How can I solve it?

Thanks in advance!

MacBook Air, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6)

Posted on Aug 2, 2018 5:28 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Aug 2, 2018 5:36 PM in response to reshefL

Hi reshefL,

Thank you for contacting Apple Support Communities. Based on what you stated, it seems like the computer is running at a high CPU percentage, but it is not when in a guest user. That seems like it is caused by something that may be a login item. logging into safe mode will isolate the cause and you can then try removing items you do not need.

Start up in safe mode

To start up in safe mode:

Start or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key. The Apple logo appears on your display. If you don't see the Apple logo, learn what to do.

Release the Shift key when you see the login window. If your startup disk is encrypted with FileVault, you might be asked to log in twice: once to unlock the startup disk, and again to log in to the Finder.

To leave safe mode, restart your Mac without pressing any keys during startup.

If an issue doesn't happen in safe mode

If an issue doesn't happen when your Mac is started in safe mode, try restarting without pressing any keys.

If the issue comes back, you might have incompatible login items.

If the issue doesn't come back, it was probably caused by a cache or directory issue with your startup disk, which safe mode fixed.

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac

Cheers.

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Answer 2

CT

Level 7

24,239 points

Aug 7, 2018 5:59 AM in response to reshefL

Since your problem disappears in Safe Mode and for a different User, this suggests the possibility of a third party software conflict. You can see what is running "under the hood" via EtreCheck.

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

103,357 points

Aug 7, 2018 4:05 AM in response to reshefL

Suggest making a full Time Machine Backup and / or Clone of existing system before proceeding any further.

Have had similar issue as yours on an iMac. Try opening Activity Monitor and select UserEventAgent. Top left corner of Activity Monitor fine FORCE QUIT UserEventAgent. Now quit Activity Monitor and shut down computer. Give it 15 seconds and power up as normal boot. It might work or might not in your case.

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Answer 4

reshefL Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 5, 2018 9:11 AM in response to chuck_3rd

Hi alex_h1,

Thank you for the detailed answer.

I did follow your instructions, but unfortunately it did not solve the problem:

- I restarted in Safe Mode and the problem did not happen.

- When restarting in normal mode - it re-appeared.

- Next, I followed the instructions in the 'incompatible login items' link and removed all my login items (there were only two). Still, the problem persist.

I'm not sure what to do next. Should I Factory Reset my computer?

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UserEventAgent causes high CPU usage + fans go crazy + overheating

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