- WindowServer process on Mac manages visual elements like menu bar, dock bar, and more, affecting CPU usage.
- To lower WindowServer CPU usage, remove files from desktop, close unwanted windows, restart Mac.
- Additional tips include disabling transparency effects, removing apps, updating MacOS to optimize performance.
Ever discovered the WindowServer process on your Mac to be using a lot of your CPU Resources? So what is the process and why is it using a lot of CPU Resources on your Mac and how can you lower WindowServer CPU Usage on your Mac? WindowsServer process deals with all the visuals of your Mac device, such as the menu bar, dock bar, and such; it operates between UI and the hardware.
WindowServer may take higher CPU resources because of multiple folders and files on your desktop, multiple displays connected, multiple windows opened up and various such reasons. Because of this, your may experience downgraded performance on your Mac.
8 Ways To Fix WindowServer High CPU Usage on Mac
You can easily fix WindowServer’s high CPU usage on Macbook Air, Macbook Pro, and Macbook M1, and you can do it by following the steps given in this article.
Remove Files And Folders From Your Desktop
The very first thing that you should do is remove the files and folders from your desktop. You can make one folder on your desktop and keep all the files and folders arranged inside it. This will decrease the visual elements on your desktop and should probably lower the WindowServer CPU Usage on your Mac.
Close Unwanted Windows
If you have unwanted Windows opened up on their Mac, then you need to know that it might as well be why you are facing high WindowServer CPU Usage. If you have multiple windows opened up on your Mac that you are not using, then you should close them. Moreover, you should also close all the unwanted browser tabs because that may also cause high WindowServer CPU usage.
Restart Your Mac
If your using a MacBook then chances are you may have not restarted your system or turned off your machine for a very long time now. If you are doing that then you are not alone because many of us do that. It is essential to restart your Mac in a while because it will help free up RAM as well as delete caches and all the other temporary files from the device. Moreover, this will also help lower the WindowServer CPU Usage on your Mac.
Remove Additional Desktops
In case you have multiple desktops enabled but you are only using one or two of them, then you should try removing all the additional desktops that you are not using. To do so, follow the steps given below-
- Firstly, you should try launching Mission Control on your Mac by pressing the F5 key on your keyboard.
- Now, hover the mouse pointer over to the desktop you are not currently using, and then click on the X icon to close it.
Disable Transparency Effects
Another thing that you should try doing is disabling the transparency effect. To do so, follow the steps given below-
- Head to the System Preferences on your Mac.
- In the System Preferences, head to the Accessibility section.
- Here, navigate to the Display option and then check the checkbox for Reduce Transparency.
Switch Off Spaces For Multiple Displays
If you use multiple displays connected to your Mac, then you can lower WindowServer CPU usage by switching off spaces for multiple displays. You can do so by following the steps given below-
- Head to System Preferences and then navigate to the Mission Control option.
- Here, uncheck the checkbox for Displays have separate spaces.
- Once done, restart your Mac and the changes will be saved successfully.
Remove Apps From Mac
If you are facing this issue after installing a particular app on your Mac, then you can consider removing the apps causing the problem. To do so, follow the steps given below-
- Head to the Finder and look out for the app you want to delete.
- Now, drag the app to the Trash.
- You will have to enter your username and password of your mac and the app will be successfully removed from your Mac.
Update Your Mac
You should also update your MacOS if you face this issue. Updating your Mac to the latest version should also work out to be a fix to this issue. To update your Mac, follow the steps given below-
- Click on the Apple Menu and select About this mac.
- Now, click on the Software Update and download and install all the updates your Mac finds.
Final Words
As we discussed, the WindowServer can cause higher CPU usage because of extra visual elements on your Mac. If you have been facing this issue then you can follow the steps in this article. Following the above steps, you will be able to lower the WindowServer usage on your Mac.
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