Resolved Kernel_task inexplicably making everything slow

[MattJ33]

I own a MacBook Air 13” early 2015 with Monterey 12.7, 2.2 GHz Dual-core intel core i7, 8 gb 1600 MHz DDR3 memory. It suddenly became very slow for no apparent reason one day almost a month ago. Videos on the internet or Quicktime are choppy, minimizing application animations are choppy etc. After logging in the menu bar is grey and the background black for a minute or longer until they turn regular colors.

I checked Activity Monitor and kernel_task stays around 200%-300% even just after logging in with no applications open or extra moniters or anything attached. No fan sounds or hot areas.

When it is shut down, pressing the power key results in a brief zip sound as if something physical is starting to spin, and it doesn’t turn on, I have to hold it down a second time to turn it on.

Things I’ve tried to fix the issue:

-Ran diagnostics several times and no issues were found. Although there is a battery notification in system preferences that says “The battery’s capacity is significantly reduced. To restore capacity, please check your service options.”

-Reset SMC & PRAM.

-Reinstalled Monterey.

-Ran Disk Utility First Aid.

-Scanned for malware.

-Created a new admin user, the issue remained for that user account.

-Made a backup and used recovery to erase the internal drive and installed Monterey and set up as a new user, the issue remained.

-Removed the back casing and blew all the dust out.

-I’m trying to install and run Monterey on an external USB drive to check if the issue remains while running independently from the internal drive, but at the end of the installation process when it tries to boot up using the external drive, I encounter a kernel panic startup loop. I don’t ever get a kernel panic when booting from the internal drive. It’s a Sandisk ultra flair usb 3.0 64gb flash drive I’m trying and failing to run Monterey 12.7 on. I’m hoping I won’t have to buy a different external drive to troubleshoot with.

Any suggestions where to go from here would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

[HDFan]

You might run etrecheck to see what login items and extensions are loaded on boot. Then try removing all of them and see if you still have a problem. If not add them back one by one until you find the offender.

 

[chrfr]

If the battery isn’t working, the computer will be substantially throttled. This is done via kernel_task.

If kernel_task is using a large percentage of your Mac CPU - Apple Support

One of the functions of the kernel task process is to help manage the temperature of your CPU.

support.apple.com

 

[MattJ33]

If the battery isn’t working, the computer will be substantially throttled. This is done via kernel_task.

If kernel_task is using a large percentage of your Mac CPU - Apple Support

One of the functions of the kernel task process is to help manage the temperature of your CPU.

support.apple.com

Coupled with battery being listed as a main issue with etrecheck, I decided to order a replacement battery. I’ll report back what happens after installing it. Thanks

 

[MattJ33]

Replacing the battery hasn't fixed the issue. So to address post #2, am I supposed to move all the files listed under Launch Daemons, Launch Agents, and User Launch Agents to the trash then restart and see if it's better? And if it is, restore a file & restart one at a time until the problem returns?

Or is there something else in the report that might be the offender? I'll paste it below. I noticed it said my SSD is slow.

Spoiler: EtreCheck Output

EtreCheckPro version: 6.8.2 (68031)


Report generated: 2023-11-08 12:53:26


Download EtreCheckPro from https://etrecheck.com


Runtime: 27:59





Performance: Poor





Problem: Computer is too slow


Description:


Something causing kernel_task to use a large CPU % in Activity Moniter





Major Issues:


Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.





Security updates disabled - Security updates are disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection.


Kernel panics - This system has experienced kernel panics. This could be a sign of hardware failure.


Apple security disabled - Apple security software is disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection.





Minor Issues:


These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement.





SSD too slow - SSD is showing poor performance.


Apps crashing - There have been numerous app crashes.


Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. These files could be old, incompatible, and cause problems. They should be reviewed.


Vintage hardware - This computer may be considered vintage.





Hardware Information:


MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)


Status: Vintage


MacBook Air Model: MacBookAir7,2


2.2 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 (i7-5650U) CPU: 2-core


8 GB RAM - Not upgradeable


BANK 0/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR3 1600


BANK 1/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR3 1600


Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 1





Video Information:


Intel HD Graphics 6000 - VRAM: 1536 MB


Color LCD 1440 x 900





Drives:


disk0 - APPLE SSD SM0256G 251.00 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)


Internal PCI 5.0 GT/s x4 Serial ATA


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


disk0s2 [APFS Container] 250.79 GB


disk1 [APFS Virtual drive] 250.79 GB (Shared by 6 volumes)


disk1s1 (APFS) [APFS Container] (15.41 GB used)


disk1s1s1 - Macintosh HD (APFS) [APFS Snapshot] (15.41 GB used)


disk1s2 - Preboot (APFS) [APFS Preboot] (269 MB used)


disk1s3 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (1.12 GB used)


disk1s4 - VM (APFS) [APFS VM] (1.07 GB used)


disk1s5 - Macintosh HD - Data (APFS) [APFS Virtual drive] (197.83 GB used)


disk1s6 - Update (APFS) (9 MB used)





Mounted Volumes:


disk1s1s1 - Macintosh HD [APFS Snapshot]


Filesystem: APFS


Mount point: /


Read-only: Yes


Used: 15.41 GB


Shared values


Size: 250.79 GB


Free: 34.92 GB


Available: 35.59 GB





disk1s2 - Preboot [APFS Preboot]


Filesystem: APFS


Mount point: /System/Volumes/Preboot


Used: 269 MB


Shared values


Size: 250.79 GB


Free: 34.92 GB





disk1s4 - VM [APFS VM]


Filesystem: APFS


Mount point: /System/Volumes/VM


Used: 1.07 GB


Shared values


Size: 250.79 GB


Free: 34.92 GB





disk1s5 - Macintosh HD - Data [APFS Virtual drive]


Filesystem: APFS


Mount point: /System/Volumes/Data


Encryption paused: 0% done


Used: 197.83 GB


Shared values


Size: 250.79 GB


Free: 34.92 GB


Available: 35.59 GB





disk1s6 - Update


Filesystem: APFS


Mount point: /System/Volumes/Update


Used: 9 MB


Shared values


Size: 250.79 GB


Free: 34.92 GB





Network:


Interface en0: Wi-Fi


802.11 a/b/g/n/ac


Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge





System Software:


macOS Monterey 12.7 (21G816)


Time since boot: Less than an hour





Configuration Files:


/etc/hosts - Count: 23





Notifications:





EtreCheckPro.app


2 notifications





Security:


Gatekeeper: App Store and identified developers


System Integrity Protection: Enabled


Security Updates: Disabled



Antivirus software: Malwarebytes





Unsigned Files:


Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist


Command: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/PDApp/UWA/UpdaterStartupUtility -mode=scheduled


Details: Exact match found in the legitimate list - probably OK





Plugin: /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/AdobeAAMDetect.plugin





System Launch Daemons:


[Not Loaded] 37 Apple tasks


[Loaded] 214 Apple tasks


[Running] 129 Apple tasks


[Other] One Apple task





System Launch Agents:


[Not Loaded] 16 Apple tasks


[Loaded] 211 Apple tasks


[Running] 129 Apple tasks





Launch Daemons:


[Running] com.adobe.agsservice.plist (Adobe Inc. - installed 2023-04-03)


Executable: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/AdobeGCClient/AGSService





[Loaded] com.apple.installer.osmessagetracing.plist (Apple - installed 2019-09-19)


Executable: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/OSInstaller.framework/Resources/OSMessageTracer





[Loaded] com.malwarebytes.HelperTool.plist (Malwarebytes Corporation - installed 2016-06-25)


Executable: /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.malwarebytes.HelperTool





[Loaded] com.malwarebytes.mbam.rtprotection.daemon.plist (Malwarebytes Corporation - installed 2023-10-14)


Command: /Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes/MBAM/Engine.bundle/Contents/PlugIns/RTProtectionDaemon.app/Contents/MacOS/RTProtectionDaemon -i Malwarebytes-Mac-4.21.9.5141.pkg





[Running] com.malwarebytes.mbam.settings.daemon.plist (Malwarebytes Corporation - installed 2023-09-15)


Executable: /Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes/MBAM/Engine.bundle/Contents/PlugIns/SettingsDaemon.app/Contents/MacOS/SettingsDaemon





[Not Loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (Not signed - installed )





[Loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist (Apple Inc. - XQuartz - installed 2016-10-26)


Command: /opt/X11/libexec/privileged_startx -d /opt/X11/lib/X11/xinit/privileged_startx.d





[Loaded] us.zoom.ZoomDaemon.plist (Zoom Video Communications, Inc. - installed 2023-04-01)


Executable: /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/us.zoom.ZoomDaemon





Launch Agents:


[Running] com.adobe.GC.AGM.plist (Adobe Inc. - installed 2023-04-03)


Command: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/AdobeGCClient/Adobe Genuine Software Monitor Service -mode=logon





[Not Loaded] com.adobe.GC.Invoker-1.0.plist (Adobe Inc. - installed 2023-04-03)


Command: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/AdobeGCClient/agcinvokerutility -mode=logon





[Running] com.malwarebytes.mbam.frontend.agent.plist (Malwarebytes Corporation - installed 2023-09-15)


Executable: /Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes/MBAM/Engine.bundle/Contents/PlugIns/FrontendAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/FrontendAgent





[Loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist (Apple Inc. - XQuartz - installed 2016-10-26)


Command: /opt/X11/libexec/launchd_startx /opt/X11/bin/startx -- /opt/X11/bin/Xquartz





User Launch Agents:


[Loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (Not signed - installed 2016-04-02)


Command: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/PDApp/UWA/UpdaterStartupUtility -mode=scheduled





[Not Loaded] com.adobe.GC.Invoker-1.0.plist (Adobe Inc. - installed 2023-04-03)


Command: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/AdobeGCClient/agcinvokerutility -mode=scheduled





[Loaded] com.google.GoogleUpdater.wake.plist (Google LLC - installed 2023-11-03)


Command: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/GoogleUpdater/Current/GoogleUpdater.app/Contents/MacOS/GoogleUpdater --wake-all --enable-logging --vmodule=*/components/update_client/*=2,*/chrome/updater/*=2





[Not Loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (Not signed - installed 2023-11-03)





[Not Loaded] com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist (Not signed - installed 2023-11-03)





Internet Plug-ins:


AdobeAAMDetect: AdobeAAMDetect 1.0.0.0 (? - installed 2023-11-03)





Audio Plug-ins:


AppleAES3Audio: 3.0 (Apple - installed 2023-11-03)





Backup:


Volumes being backed up:


Macintosh HD: Disk size: 250.79 GB - Disk used: 215.87 GB


Destinations:


B****P [Local] (Last used)


Total size: 0 B


Total number of backups: 0





Performance:


System Load: 231.17 (1 min ago) 432.16 (5 min ago) 305.49 (15 min ago)


Nominal I/O usage: 0.11 MB/s


File system: 120.24 seconds (timed out)


Write speed: 105 MB/s


Read speed: 102 MB/s





CPU Usage Snapshot:


Type Overall


System: 69 %


User: 13 %


Idle: 18 %





Top Processes Snapshot by CPU:


Process (count) CPU (Source - Location)


WindowServer 28.88 % (Apple)


EtreCheckPro 17.16 % (Etresoft, Inc.)


WorldClockWidget 15.10 % (Apple)


Notes 12.18 % (Apple)


kernel_task 4.83 % (Apple)





Top Processes Snapshot by Memory:


Process (count) RAM usage (Source - Location)


EtreCheckPro 516 MB (Etresoft, Inc.)


com.apple.WebKit.WebContent (2) 340 MB (Apple)


Notes 114 MB (Apple)


Safari 105 MB (Apple)


com.apple.appkit.xpc.openAndSavePanelService (2) 82 MB (Apple)





Top Processes Snapshot by Network Use:


Process Input / Output (Source - Location)


apsd 56 KB / 152 KB (Apple)


mDNSResponder 49 KB / 40 KB (Apple)


trustd 18 KB / 3 KB (Apple)


rapportd 3 KB / 7 KB (Apple)


netbiosd 2 KB / 1 KB (Apple)





Top Processes Snapshot by Energy Use:


Process (count) Energy (0-100) (Source - Location)


WindowServer 9 (Apple)


mdsync 2 (Apple)


triald 1 (Apple)


Notes 1 (Apple)


com.apple.appkit.xpc.openAndSavePanelService (2) 1 (Apple)





Virtual Memory Information:


Physical RAM: 8 GB





Free RAM: 2.62 GB


Used RAM: 2.52 GB


Cached files: 2.86 GB





Available RAM: 5.48 GB


Swap Used: 0 B





Software Installs (past 60 days):


Install Date Name (Version)


2023-10-24 macOS 12.7 (12.7)


2023-11-07 Safari (17.1)





Diagnostics Information (past 7-30 days):


2023-11-08 12:24:17 AppleCameraAssistant - Crash (26 times)


Executable: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreMediaIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources/AppleCamera.plugin





2023-11-05 15:24:38 Kernel Panic (8 times)


Details:


panic(cpu 2 caller 0xffffff800af7e99f): userspace watchdog timeout: no


successful checkins from opendirectoryd since load


Panicked task 0xffffff99f107fce0: 4 threads: pid 43: watchdogd








2023-11-05 12:08:55 fileproviderctl - Crash (3 times)


Executable: /usr/bin/fileproviderctl





2023-11-03 12:15:57 secd - Crash (2 times)


Executable: /usr/libexec/secd








End of report

 

[HDFan]

am I supposed to move all the files listed under Launch Daemons, Launch Agents, and User Launch Agents to the trash t

No. Just move them to a different location, such as the desktop. If the problem goes away after a reboot then move them back until you find the offender.

I would try starting up in safe mode first though.

 

[MattJ33]

No. Just move them to a different location, such as the desktop. If the problem goes away after a reboot then move them back until you find the offender.

I would try starting up in safe mode first though.

After running into trouble trying to update to 12.7.1, I erased my internal drive again and installed 12.7 from my usb installer. I decided to leave it set up as a fresh account and didn't import my backup. I also put back the original battery since I'll be returning the one I got on Amazon after it didn't fix the problem. I ran etrecheck with the fresh setup and don't see any startup files listed, is that because there are none with a new account? Should I just take it in to an Apple store and see if they can diagnose a hardware problem? New report below:

Spoiler: etrecheck report

EtreCheckPro version: 6.8.3 (68032)

Report generated: 2023-11-11 21:39:34

Download EtreCheckPro from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 23:54


Performance: Poor

Problem: Computer is too slow

Description:

Login and performance slowed down, possible related to kernel_task usi

ng a high percentage, possible hardware at fault.


Major Issues:
Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.


No Time Machine backup - Time Machine backup not found.


Minor Issues:
These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement.


SSD too slow - SSD is showing poor performance.

High battery cycle count - Your battery may be losing capacity.

Vintage hardware - This computer may be considered vintage.


Hardware Information:
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
Status: Vintage
MacBook Air Model: MacBookAir7,2
2.2 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 (i7-5650U) CPU: 2-core
8 GB RAM - Not upgradeable
BANK 0/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR3 1600
BANK 1/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR3 1600
Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 881

Video Information:
Intel HD Graphics 6000 - VRAM: 1536 MB
Color LCD 1440 x 900

Drives:
disk0 - APPLE SSD SM0256G 251.00 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)
Internal PCI 5.0 GT/s x4 Serial ATA
disk0s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB
disk0s2 [APFS Container] 250.79 GB
disk1 [APFS Virtual drive] 250.79 GB (Shared by 6 volumes)
disk1s1 - 2****************************** - Data (APFS) [APFS Virtual drive] (3.95 GB used)
disk1s2 - Preboot (APFS) [APFS Preboot] (269 MB used)
disk1s3 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (1.12 GB used)
disk1s4 - VM (APFS) [APFS VM] (1 MB used)
disk1s5 (APFS) [APFS Container] (21.85 GB used)
disk1s5s1 - 2****************************a (APFS) [APFS Snapshot] (21.85 GB used)
disk1s6 - Update (APFS) (106 MB used)

Mounted Volumes:
disk1s1 - 2****************************** - Data [APFS Virtual drive]
Filesystem: APFS
Mount point: /System/Volumes/Data
Used: 3.95 GB
Shared values
Size: 250.79 GB
Free: 223.35 GB
Available: 223.36 GB
disk1s2 - Preboot [APFS Preboot]
Filesystem: APFS
Mount point: /System/Volumes/Preboot
Used: 269 MB
Shared values
Size: 250.79 GB
Free: 223.35 GB
disk1s4 - VM [APFS VM]
Filesystem: APFS
Mount point: /System/Volumes/VM
Used: 1 MB
Shared values
Size: 250.79 GB
Free: 223.35 GB
disk1s5s1 - 2****************************a [APFS Snapshot]
Filesystem: APFS
Mount point: /
Read-only: Yes
Used: 21.85 GB
Shared values
Size: 250.79 GB
Free: 223.35 GB
Available: 223.36 GB
disk1s6 - Update
Filesystem: APFS
Mount point: /System/Volumes/Update
Used: 106 MB
Shared values
Size: 250.79 GB
Free: 223.35 GB

Network:
Interface en0: Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge

System Software:
macOS Monterey 12.7 (21G816)
Time since boot: Less than an hour

Notifications:

EtreCheckPro.app

one notification


Security:
Gatekeeper: App Store and identified developers

System Integrity Protection: Enabled


Antivirus software: Apple


Applications:
324 apps
2 x86-only apps
One unsigned app

System Launch Daemons:
[Not Loaded] 40 Apple tasks

[Loaded] 216 Apple tasks

[Running] 125 Apple tasks

[Other] One Apple task


System Launch Agents:
[Not Loaded] 19 Apple tasks

[Loaded] 222 Apple tasks

[Running] 116 Apple tasks


Backup:
Time Machine Not Configured!

Performance:
System Load: 9.05 (1 min ago) 11.42 (5 min ago) 24.15 (15 min ago)
Nominal I/O usage: 0.02 MB/s
File system: 120.24 seconds (timed out)
Write speed: 190 MB/s
Read speed: 193 MB/s

CPU Usage Snapshot:
Type Overall

System: 71 %

User: 18 %

Idle: 12 %


Top Processes Snapshot by CPU:
Process (count) CPU (Source - Location)

system_profiler (2) 33.82 % (Apple)

WindowServer 29.36 % (Apple)

EtreCheckPro 17.10 % (Etresoft, Inc.)

trustd (4) 5.80 % (Apple)

kernel_task 4.95 % (Apple)


Top Processes Snapshot by Memory:
Process (count) RAM usage (Source - Location)

EtreCheckPro 607 MB (Etresoft, Inc.)

system_profiler (2) 474 MB (Apple)

mds_stores 123 MB (Apple)

WindowServer 75 MB (Apple)

Finder 65 MB (Apple)


Top Processes Snapshot by Network Use:
Process Input / Output (Source - Location)

mDNSResponder 169 KB / 19 KB (Apple)

apsd 4 KB / 5 KB (Apple)

netbiosd 5 KB / 2 KB (Apple)

softwareupdated 0 B / 0 B (Apple)

kernelmanagerd 0 B / 0 B (Apple)


Top Processes Snapshot by Energy Use:
Process (count) Energy (0-100) (Source - Location)

WindowServer 12 (Apple)

mds_stores 3 (Apple)

dasd 1 (Apple)

mdworker (2) 1 (Apple)

PerfPowerServices 1 (Apple)


Virtual Memory Information:
Physical RAM: 8 GB


Free RAM: 2.30 GB

Used RAM: 2.33 GB

Cached files: 3.37 GB


Available RAM: 5.67 GB

Swap Used: 0 B


Software Installs (past 60 days):
Install Date Name (Version)

2023-11-10 OS X

2023-11-10 Remote Desktop Client Update (3.8.4)

2023-11-10 Security Update 2017-003 (10.10.5)

2023-11-11 macOS 12.7 (12.7)

2023-11-11 MRTConfigData (1.93)

2023-11-11 XProtectPayloads (118)

2023-11-11 XProtectPlistConfigData (2175)

2023-11-11 Safari (17.1)


Diagnostics Information (past 7-30 days):


End of report

 

[Brian33]

MacBook Air 13” early 2015

Does that model have an internal fan? If so I have a crazy hypothesis...

EDIT: OK, it does have a fan... https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Early+2015+Fan+Replacement/40700

I checked Activity Monitor and kernel_task stays around 200%-300% even just after logging in with no applications open or extra moniters or anything attached. No fan sounds or hot areas.

When it is shut down, pressing the power key results in a brief zip sound as if something physical is starting to spin, and it doesn’t turn on, I have to hold it down a second time to turn it on.

1. I think one of the jobs of kernel_task is to prevent overheating, by taking residency on one or more cpu cores and effectively idling (somehow), reducing the heat generated. I don't quite see how that would work, but I read something to that effect somewhere.

2. When trying to turn it on, the "brief zip sound as if something physical is starting to spin" -- maybe that's a defective fan(s), trying to turn but failing to spin up. Maybe macOS responds to failed fan(s) by running kernel_task at 200% - 300% to limit how much heat could be generated. ??

Do you ever hear the fan run? If kernel_task were doing real work at 200-300% residency, you definitely should hear the fan. (Assuming it has a fan!)

You could run Apple Diagnostics which I'd imagine would report a failed fan, if that were the case:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102550

 

[MattJ33]

Does that model have an internal fan? If so I have a crazy hypothesis...

EDIT: OK, it does have a fan... https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Early+2015+Fan+Replacement/40700


1. I think one of the jobs of kernel_task is to prevent overheating, by taking residency on one or more cpu cores and effectively idling (somehow), reducing the heat generated. I don't quite see how that would work, but I read something to that effect somewhere.

2. When trying to turn it on, the "brief zip sound as if something physical is starting to spin" -- maybe that's a defective fan(s), trying to turn but failing to spin up. Maybe macOS responds to failed fan(s) by running kernel_task at 200% - 300% to limit how much heat could be generated. ??

Do you ever hear the fan run? If kernel_task were doing real work at 200-300% residency, you definitely should hear the fan. (Assuming it has a fan!)

You could run Apple Diagnostics which I'd imagine would report a failed fan, if that were the case:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102550

Since this slowdown problem started, the only times I’ve heard the fan run is at the end of the diagnostic check, which says no problems have been found. But that’s strange isn’t it? Before I’d hear it run during normal prolonged use. Not sure if it’s the fan or kernel_task that’s causing it to not run normally.

 

[Brian33]

Since this slowdown problem started, the only times I’ve heard the fan run is at the end of the diagnostic check, which says no problems have been found. But that’s strange isn’t it? Before I’d hear it run during normal prolonged use.

Well, my guess about the fan physically failing was incorrect. But yes, it does seem strange that the cpu could appear to be so heavily loaded (200 - 300%) and you not hear the fan running. It could be that what I'd read about kernel_task with high %cpu numbers actually reducing heat output could be true.

But why would kernel_task be running that way? I don't know! Doesn't seem like it should be.

I own a MacBook Air 13” early 2015 with Monterey 12.7, 2.2 GHz Dual-core intel core i7, 8 gb 1600 MHz DDR3 memory. It suddenly became very slow for no apparent reason one day almost a month ago.

Can you remember what might have changed on that day? Upgrade to 12.7? Installed an app? Restored some file(s)?

 

[MattJ33]

Well, my guess about the fan physically failing was incorrect. But yes, it does seem strange that the cpu could appear to be so heavily loaded (200 - 300%) and you not hear the fan running. It could be that what I'd read about kernel_task with high %cpu numbers actually reducing heat output could be true.

But why would kernel_task be running that way? I don't know! Doesn't seem like it should be.


Can you remember what might have changed on that day? Upgrade to 12.7? Installed an app? Restored some file(s)?

Nothing out of the ordinary. Took it into an Apple store today and left it there for testing. The Genius Bar guy suspects the logic board needs replacement, which costs $625. Oof. I looked up the part on ifixit and their 2.2 ghz board costs $350 but it’s out of stock 😬 plus $20 for thermal cleaner & paste. Yikes, I wonder how many more years it would last if I did the replacement myself.

 

[Brian33]

Yeah, oof. If it were me I wouldn't rush to replace the logic board. And for $625 I'd put that toward a new Mac, if I had to. You can get an Apple-refurbished (just like new -- Apple refurbs are great) 2020 M1 MacBook Air (which would run rings around your Air) for just $850. (https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/macbook-air)

Still, to me this really seems more like a software issue than hardware, but I'm pretty much out of ideas.

-Created a new admin user, the issue remained for that user account.

I was going to suggest this, as it's an excellent trouble-shooting technique. So if the issue remained, it implies that the problem is not specific to your user account, but more at the system level.

-Made a backup and used recovery to erase the internal drive and installed Monterey and set up as a new user, the issue remained.

When you did this, did you use either Setup Assistant (during the install) or Migration Assistant (later) to migrate your system settings? If you did, the problem could be in some system setting/configuration file.

-I’m trying to install and run Monterey on an external USB drive to check if the issue remains while running independently from the internal drive, but at the end of the installation process when it tries to boot up using the external drive, I encounter a kernel panic startup loop. I don’t ever get a kernel panic when booting from the internal drive. It’s a Sandisk ultra flair usb 3.0 64gb flash drive I’m trying and failing to run Monterey 12.7 on. I’m hoping I won’t have to buy a different external drive to troubleshoot with.

This was also a good troubleshooting idea, and the only one that makes me suspect a hardware problem. If you could borrow an external SSD of some sort that might have a better chance of working, though. I don't trust those thumb drives too much.

 

[MattJ33]

Yeah, oof. If it were me I wouldn't rush to replace the logic board. And for $625 I'd put that toward a new Mac, if I had to. You can get an Apple-refurbished (just like new -- Apple refurbs are great) 2020 M1 MacBook Air (which would run rings around your Air) for just $850. (https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/macbook-air)

Still, to me this really seems more like a software issue than hardware, but I'm pretty much out of ideas.


I was going to suggest this, as it's an excellent trouble-shooting technique. So if the issue remained, it implies that the problem is not specific to your user account, but more at the system level.


When you did this, did you use either Setup Assistant (during the install) or Migration Assistant (later) to migrate your system settings? If you did, the problem could be in some system setting/configuration file.


This was also a good troubleshooting idea, and the only one that makes me suspect a hardware problem. If you could borrow an external SSD of some sort that might have a better chance of working, though. I don't trust those thumb drives too much.

Yeah refurbished is great, I actually bought this one refurbished in Sept 2015. But more pricey here in Canada, would be $1100 for that 2020 one.

The first time I erased the internal drive, I backed up with time machine beforehand. I booted into recovery and erased it with disk utility. Closed disk utility and used the built-in install macOS from the recovery menu. Upon starting up, I was automatically prompted to set up the mac (I’m assuming this is setup assistant) and I chose to not import any of my data at this time to set up as a new user account, during this I chose to enable FileVault but I wasn’t sure if I had it enabled originally. And it was still slow. A few days later I figured I might as well restore from my backup now, so I booted into recovery and tried to do it from there, but I encountered a message saying I couldn’t and had to use migration assistant. So I restarted normally and opened that application to start the restore. Obviously still slow. Some days after that Monterey 12.7.1 was available, I had been on 12.7 this whole time, so I tried installing it, and they take so long I have to leave it charging overnight each time I install the os. I guess someone turned the switch off that controls the power to the outlet I was using, so in the morning the mac was completely dead, couldn’t turn it on. What ended up working was opening it up and unplugging/replugging the battery connector. When I tried logging in it got stuck on the spinning loading circle beneath my name. I shut it down and was able to boot into safe mode, then restart and log in normally, and saw it was still 12.7. So I tried updating again and when I tried logging in the next morning I had the same spinning loading problem, so I repeated the safe mode and restart and it was still 12.7! So I tried to install macOS in recovery mode and it wouldn’t let me because FileVault was encrypting. I looked online and tried some tips but ended up erasing the internal drive in recovery disk utility, then going back to recovery menu and start the macOS install. And then something strange happened, I was brought to some kind of different Wi-Fi recovery mode screen that had a white background instead of black and different looking icon recovery options. I picked the install macOS option but my newly erased drive didn’t appear as an option to install on! So I went back and opened the disk utility option and erased it again, and then I was able to install macOS on it. But it was OS X, not Monterey. I was automatically prompted to set up the mac after installation finished and I set up a new account and FileVault wasn’t an option this time during setup. It was still slow when I finished setup and I was left trying to figure out how to get from this Yosemite version to Monterey, unable to use any of the unsupported outdated browsers to download the install application, and running an OS version too old to use terminal according to a guide I looked at. Thankfully I still had a bootable installer with Monterey 12.7 on a USB from earlier troubleshooting attempts. So I used the option key to boot up as the installer and installed 12.7 successfully. Then I was able to update to 12.7.1 successfully afterwards using the software update in system preferences. And it was still slow lol! So that was my nightmare story of trying to update to the latest software before post #7 in this thread. Hopefully that answers your questions about setup assistant and migration assistant, not sure if the second/third erase/part of that story is relevant at all, but thought I’d write it down since you suspect software.

Unfortunately I don’t know anyone with another external SSD drive to try, I’d have to buy one and return it after giving it a try. Would that just show if the internal SSD is the problem? I’m not sure if that is moot at this point since apple ran the tests I’ve attached a picture of, and told me on the phone today that their next step would be to replace the logic board, which I declined. I’ll be picking up the laptop later today. I originally bought the Mac for a school project where I created and published a game on the App Store. These days I only use it for browsing and watching movies, so buying a cheaper windows laptop and copying my files/pictures over might be my best option unless a software problem is found.

Someone posted in my help thread on another site saying they have the same problem, is there anything both of us can try to narrow down a possible software problem we have in common?

“I have exactly the same issue with my 2015 MacBook Pro, running Monterey. All of a sudden it decides to run very, very slowly. Have opened it up, fans are clean. Have run diagnostics, no faults reported. Have tried reinstalling, no difference, all the time Kernel_task is running at 200%+ and crippling the laptop. Takes for ever to just login and do anything.

If you do get a solution please do post here.”

Thanks, let me know if there’s any questions I can answer.

 

[Brian33]

Wow, you've done a remarkably good job troubleshooting and remembering/documenting your results! Thanks for that.

Upon starting up, I was automatically prompted to set up the mac (I’m assuming this is setup assistant)

Yes.

going back to recovery menu and start the macOS install. And then something strange happened, I was brought to some kind of different Wi-Fi recovery mode screen that had a white background instead of black and different looking icon recovery options. I picked the install macOS option but my newly erased drive didn’t appear as an option to install on! So I went back and opened the disk utility option and erased it again, and then I was able to install macOS on it. But it was OS X, not Monterey.

That time you must have booted into what I think is called Internet Recovery, which downloads the OS from Apple servers. It may have started that because the internal recovery partition was damaged/gone, or because you maybe held an extra key along with Cmd-R (shift, or it is option?) to start Internet Recovery. In this case it must have installed the OS that came with the machine in 2015. A certain key combination I can't remember would have installed the latest compatible OS (Monterey). But it doesn't matter now.

I chose to not import any of my data at this time to set up as a new user account, during this I chose to enable FileVault but I wasn’t sure if I had it enabled originally. And it was still slow

I was automatically prompted to set up the mac after installation finished and I set up a new account and FileVault wasn’t an option this time during setup. It was still slow when I finished setup

Wow. I'm now convinced it is a hardware problem of some kind, after all! At least twice you freshly installed an OS, created a new user, without migrating any of your data. And it was still exhibiting the "slow" problem each time. With two different OS versions (Yosemite and Monterey), no less!a

So I now think it is a hardware problem. Sorry to have gotten your hopes up. I can't think what sort of failure would cause the OS to run kernel_task like that, but apparently something can.

Someone posted in my help thread on another site saying they have the same problem, is there anything both of us can try to narrow down a possible software problem we have in common?

I'm joking, but if only you could get him to replace his logic board to see if it solved the problem... heh heh.

My last guess was a failing HDD (I've read they can exhibit "slow but working" behavior), but I verified with everymac.com that your model was sold only with SSD storage. So that's not it.

I’ll be picking up the laptop later today. I originally bought the Mac for a school project where I created and published a game on the App Store. These days I only use it for browsing and watching movies, so buying a cheaper windows laptop and copying my files/pictures over might be my best option unless a software problem is found.

Unfortunately I think you're right, that you'll need to replace the logic board or replace the MacBook Air itself. The latter seems the most sensible, unless you can get a logic board for free or very cheap.

Seems your 2015-era machine lasted about eight years. Pretty good, IMHO, though one can always hope for longer. (I had an Early 2011 15" MBP used daily for eleven years, and a 2012 Mac Mini running 24/7 as my home "server".) In any case, I wish you the best of luck on the next one!

 

[MattJ33]

Wow, you've done a remarkably good job troubleshooting and remembering/documenting your results! Thanks for that.


Yes.


That time you must have booted into what I think is called Internet Recovery, which downloads the OS from Apple servers. It may have started that because the internal recovery partition was damaged/gone, or because you maybe held an extra key along with Cmd-R (shift, or it is option?) to start Internet Recovery. In this case it must have installed the OS that came with the machine in 2015. A certain key combination I can't remember would have installed the latest compatible OS (Monterey). But it doesn't matter now.





Wow. I'm now convinced it is a hardware problem of some kind, after all! At least twice you freshly installed an OS, created a new user, without migrating any of your data. And it was still exhibiting the "slow" problem each time. With two different OS versions (Yosemite and Monterey), no less!a

So I now think it is a hardware problem. Sorry to have gotten your hopes up. I can't think what sort of failure would cause the OS to run kernel_task like that, but apparently something can.


I'm joking, but if only you could get him to replace his logic board to see if it solved the problem... heh heh.

My last guess was a failing HDD (I've read they can exhibit "slow but working" behavior), but I verified with everymac.com that your model was sold only with SSD storage. So that's not it.



Unfortunately I think you're right, that you'll need to replace the logic board or replace the MacBook Air itself. The latter seems the most sensible, unless you can get a logic board for free or very cheap.

Seems your 2015-era machine lasted about eight years. Pretty good, IMHO, though one can always hope for longer. (I had an Early 2011 15" MBP used daily for eleven years, and a 2012 Mac Mini running 24/7 as my home "server".) In any case, I wish you the best of luck on the next one!

Ok thanks for your suggestions and trying to help! I’ll close this thread now.