WindowServer High CPU usage while connected to external monitor - Big Sur

So apparently there is this thing called WindowServer which is draining my cpu and consuming a lot of energy.


I have a Macbook pro (without mac os monterey (quite old macbook) but still running pretty smoothly) but since I installed the mac os big sur, after a few hours of operation, the CPU load of the Windows server process sometimes increases to 100%, no matter how many windows I have open - even if I then close them, the CPU load of the process always jumps back to high values! this strange behavior starts occurring as long as my external monitor is connected to my mac.


This usually happens when i'm off for a certain period of time with my screensaver turned on on my monitor and macbook's screen; When i spend some time gaming or watching a video on youtube;

etc.


So, few bits of context

  • I've got a MacBook 13" 2014 dual-core intel core i7 (with mac os big sur, cant install mac os monterey, too old for that)
  • It's connected via HDMI to a LG FHD Display monitor.


I'm experiencing a few things:

  1. Stuttering when I move windows (like dropping frames)
  2. WindowServer in Activity Monitor shoots through the roof of CPU usage when I move my mouse a lot
  3. very loud noise stars to interfere with the music that is playing at the moment



As shown in the screenshot, i was out for the day and when i came back to my office, my live screensaver was lagging a lot, as well as the cooling turbines were spinning so aggressively it seemed like my computer was preparing to take flight:



I have seen a ton of people having the same issue, and throughout the internet i couldn't seem to find any good solution, or at least one that worked for me.


Is there anything that could help windowserver stop draining my cpu?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Oct 8, 2022 09:00 AM

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2 replies

Oct 9, 2022 02:31 PM in response to VascoMelo5483

Hey there VascoMelo5483,


To troubleshoot issues with performance, look over this guide: If your Mac runs slowly - Apple Support


Make sure to quit any apps you don't need to have open. From there, open your apps one at a time. If you open an app and the issue with performance returns, you'll want to remove that app and add it back if it is compatible with your current system.


Take care.

Oct 10, 2022 01:22 AM in response to VascoMelo5483

32% is not a lot. As your mac has to handle two displays, the Window Server has to work harder.


Now there could be other issues as well.

The fans are working loudly because your mac is getting hotter.

One common cause, in an older mac, is that the air vents may with time have become partially obstructed, which makes cooling the mac harder.


In order for us to know more, so we can better advise, I recommend that you run the diagnostic tool Etrecheck, and then post its full report here, using the "additional text" button below your message.


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

WindowServer High CPU usage while connected to external monitor - Big Sur

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