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How to Fix Mac WindowServer High CPU/Memory/RAM Usage
If your Mac suddenly feels slow, noisy, or heats up for no clear reason, there’s a good chance WindowServer is involved. Many users on macOS Sequoia, Sonoma, Tahoe, Monterey, and Ventura report WindowServer Mac high CPU issues even when they’re doing simple tasks.
This system process controls how everything looks on your screen, so when Mac WindowServer high CPU and memory usage happens, your whole Mac can feel unusable. With this guide, you can get an idea of how to deal with it and get the best of your Mac.
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Part 1. What Is WindowServer on Mac? Why Does It Appear in Activity Monitor?
What Is WindowServer on Mac Activity Monitor
WindowServer is an important part of macOS. It controls everything on your screen. It manages everything from windows, menus, animations, to even how apps are drawn on the screen. It is responsible for translating apps to Mac’s graphics system.
WindowServer is a crucial part that always needs to keep running. MacOS cannot work without it. Anything that involves any windows, tabs, desktops, will require it to work in the background.
Normally, the Mac WindowServer process uses a small and stable amount of CPU and memory. Problems start when it has to manage too many visual tasks at once, which can push it into macOS WindowServer high CPU territory.
How Much CPU or Memory Should WindowServer Use?
Please swipe to view
Usage Type
CPU Usage
Memory Usage
Normal usage
2%–10%
50–300 MB
High usage
20%+ for long periods
500 MB–2 GB+
If the CPU stays above 20% or memory keeps climbing without dropping, that counts as Mac WindowServer using too much memory and needs attention.
Part 2. Why Is WindowServer Using So Much CPU, Memory, or RAM? Can I Quit WindowServer?
Why is WindowServer taking so much CPU?
When WindowServer high CPU appears, it means that the screen is having difficulties being displayed. This problem still persists on newer Macbooks. The issue often becomes worse with external displays or heavy visual effects enabled.
Common causes include:
- Too many open windows, Spaces, or full-screen apps
- High-resolution or multiple external monitors
- Apps with constant overlays or screen tracking
- Transparency and animation effects
- Browser tabs using GPU acceleration
These situations can quickly turn into WindowServer taking up CPU, especially after a long uptime.
Can I Quit WindowServer on Mac? Is It Safe?
The short answer is no. WindowServer is essential to macOS. If it quits, your screen session ends, and macOS will force you to log out or restart. On newer systems, users sometimes see WindowServer quit unexpectedly on Sequoia, which is often linked to high CPU load or display-related bugs.
Instead of quitting it directly, you should reduce the load it handles. This is especially important if you are using an external monitor, since display scaling and refresh rates can trigger why is WindowServer taking so much CPUproblems.
Part 3. How to Fix Mac WindowServer High CPU/Memory/RAM Usage?
If you are dealing with Mac WindowServer high memory or CPU spikes, the fixes below work for most users. These steps focus on reducing the visual work WindowServer has to do.
1. Close Unused Windows, Desktops, and Spaces
WindowServer must manage every visible and hidden window. If you leave many apps open across multiple desktops, it keeps using more resources. This is one of the most effective fixes for Macbook WindowServer high memory issues.
Steps:
Close apps you are not actively using
Reduce the number of virtual desktops in Mission Control
-
Minimize the use of Split View and Stage Manager if you have many windows open
Keep your desktop clean and organized
You will often see CPU drop within seconds.
2. Quit Conflicting Apps That Overload WindowServer
Some apps constantly redraw parts of the screen or hook into window behavior. This can cause Mac WindowServer high CPU without you realizing it.
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Apps known to cause issues include:
- Grammarly Desktop,
- Dell Display Manager,
- Bartender,
- monitor control apps (e.g., MonitorControl, BetterDisplay),
- menu bar tools (e.g., iStat Menus, Hidden Bar),
- Older versions of Chrome/Firefox.
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Quit them via Activity Monitor or Force Quit (Option-Command-Esc). Uninstall if the issue returns.
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Switch heavy browsing to Safari, which is more optimized for macOS.
Many users reporting WindowServer Mac high CPU noticed improvements after closing these apps. Discussions like this one explain how WindowServer taking up half my CPU can be app-related.
3. Reduce transparency, visual effects, and animations
MacOS visual effects look nice, but they add pressure to WindowServer. Turning them off can immediately help with macOS WindowServer high memory usage.
Steps:
Go to System Settings → Accessibility. Open Display.
Enable “Reduce transparency”.
Enable “Reduce motion”.
This reduces GPU and CPU load at the same time.
4. Avoid heavy browsers or apps
Chrome and Firefox are known to use more system resources, especially with many tabs open. Switching to Safari often helps stabilize WindowServer using high CPU situations.
Safari is better optimized for macOS graphics handling. This small change alone can reduce Mac WindowServer high memory usage during daily browsing.
5. Restart WindowServer or restart your Mac
Since you can’t quit WindowServer directly, logging out is the safest way to restart it.
Steps:
-
Quick restart of WindowServer: Log out (Shift-Option-Command-Q) and log back in—this clears caches without a full reboot.
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Or fully restart your Mac to free RAM and reset processes. Do this regularly if you rarely shut down.
If issues persist, restart your Mac. This clears temporary display bugs tied to macOS WindowServer high CPU.
6. Update macOS
Apple often fixes WindowServer bugs through system updates. Older builds of Sonoma, Ventura, or Sequoia can be updated to reduce Mac WindowServer using too much memory problems. Always back up your data before updating.
Steps:
Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
Update apps via the App Store or their settings.
7. Disconnect external monitors temporarily
External displays, especially ultra-wide or high-refresh-rate monitors, can overload WindowServer. Disconnecting them helps you confirm whether the display setup is causing WindowServer high CPU.
If the CPU drops after disconnecting, adjust resolution or refresh rate before reconnecting.
Part 4. Bonus: How to Monitor & Release CPU and Memory in Real Time
Even after fixing WindowServer issues, it helps to monitor your Mac’s performance regularly. This is where Tenorshare Cleamio becomes useful. It includes a Mac Status Center that shows live CPU and memory usage in a clean, simple layout.
More importantly, Cleamio lets you release CPU and RAM with just one click. This is helpful when Mac WindowServer high memory or CPU spikes suddenly return during work.
How to check and release CPU and memory with Cleamio
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Install and open Tenorshare Cleamio. Go to Mac Status Center by clicking its top-right Cleamio logo.
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Tap on the “CPU” or “Memory” module to check what apps are taking up CPU and memory.
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To release those Mac resources, click “Remove” or “Remove All” button to close the high-cpu/memory apps.
You can learn more about the tool on the official Cleamio product page and follow this guide on how to check Mac performance for deeper insights.
This approach works well alongside manual fixes, especially if Macbook WindowServer high memory appears frequently.
People Also Ask about WindowServer on Mac High CPU
Q1: Why does my WindowServer quit unexpectedly on Sequoia?
This usually happens due to display driver issues, external monitors, or system bugs causing Mac WindowServer high CPU spikes.
Q2: Is WindowServer essential for macOS?
Yes. macOS cannot display anything without it. Force quitting leads to logout or system restart.
Q3: How do I optimize macOS for WindowServer?
The key is to reduce graphical load on your Mac for preventing macOS WindowServer high memory. Use less intensive visual effects, limit external monitors, close unused apps, and monitor usage
Conclusion
If your Mac WindowServer high CPU and memory usage persists, it can slow down your machine and provide you with an uncomfortable experience. However, luckily, the fixes are simple and easy to understand.
By applying the fixes above and monitoring usage regularly, you can keep WindowServer Mac high CPU under control. For ongoing performance tracking and one-click cleanup, Tenorshare Cleamio is a practical and reliable solution.
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By Jenefey Aaron
2026-01-09 / Mac Optimization