What is Window Server Mac?

Most times, we hardly pay any attention to background processes running on the Mac. However, if you check the Activity monitor on a rare day to fix the slow-down issues, you might be surprised to see the WindowServer process perched on top. Wondering what is the deal with WindowServer on a Mac? And why is it eating resources?

Don’t worry; I have you covered in this straightforward guide that explains everything there is to know about WIndowServer and if it’s safe. Read on!

What is WindowServer on Mac?

WindowServer is an essential system process on Mac. It is designed to create a communication channel between apps and displays. The process renders all the open apps on display. In simple words, if you see a window, play a game, see some graphics, or open any software on your Mac, WindowServer put it there.

It runs silently in the background supporting your every activity on the Mac without your notice. However, sometimes it hogs computing resources and ends up being a drain. The more windows that are open, the more will be WindowServer CPU usage.

So, should I worry about WindowServer process on Mac?

The answer is no!

As explained in the previous section, the process helps your Mac run smoothly. It is not malware or a resource-hogging app. But sometimes, the WindowServer ends up taking excessive CPU power. In such cases, your Mac tends to become sluggish. Worry not; we will help you understand the causes and fix them!

But first, how much resource is the WindowServer using on your Mac? Let’s find out.

How to find WindowServer CPU usage

Follow the steps below to decide whether the WindowServer process slows your Mac.

Go to Applications → Utilities → open Activity Monitor.
Select the CPU tab from the menu.
Locate the WindowServer process in the list.

The WindowServer should not be consuming more than 30% of CPU resources. If the process consumes excessive resources, read on.

Fix WindowServer high CPU usage on Mac

If the process is hogging 30%-60% of resources, your Mac will slow down and lag. This could be caused by your increased resource-intensive activities like gaming or video editing on Mac, a bug in one or more apps you’re using.

Moreover, if you’re using an older Mac, heavy usage of modern visual effects could also lead to this. Follow the below fixes to lower the WindowServer high CPU usage.

1. Quit the app(s)

A bug in an app could spike your CPU usage. Single out such apps using Activity Monitor. Use an app for 5-10 minutes and check corresponding CPU usage. If the usage is on the higher side, kill the app, and you should be good to go.

Additionally, update or reinstall an app and see if the usage returns to normal. You can also log in to safe mode and check Mac performance.

2. Change display settings

WindowServer process is delegated with the task of rendering displays for apps. macOS offers a slew of display features, including a transparency feature. It blurs the active open apps and looks pleasing. However, it might also be the cause of increasing CPU usage. Disable Transparency by following the steps below.

Open System Preferences.
Go to Accessibility → Display.
Check Reduce motion and Reduce transparency.

3. Clean up your desktop

As weird as it might sound, a cluttered desktop could be the culprit. Each item shown on your desktop requires increased resources. If you have tons of items on your desktop, this might be the best time to declutter.

I suggest using Stacks to clean up the desktop. Also, consider deleting icons/files that you aren’t using.

4. Disconnect gaming accessories

In some cases, Mac users blame the gaming mouse for the spike in WindowServer CPU usage. Disconnect all gaming accessories and see if it makes a difference.

Suppose you have multiple accessories, plug in each one and check for increased CPU usage. Once found, contact the accessory manufacturer and ask for a resolution.

5. Troubleshoot external monitor

Do you use an external display with Mac? Sometimes WindowsServer CPU usage goes up due to external displays. In other words, the WindowServer process will use more resources to run an external monitor. It is because the external monitor doesn’t have GPU. Hence, graphic rendering is done by the main CPU.

So, disconnect the monitor and check if the issue is fixed.

Sometimes setting up multiple desktops can cause this issue. You can reduce the number of virtual desktops by heading over to Preferences → Mission Control.

Uncheck Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use. If the issue persists, uncheck Displays have separate Spaces.

Note: Disabling separate spaces could potentially cause issues with the external monitor.

6. Turn off Night Shift

Night Shift reduces the strain on your eyes by cutting off blue light. Some users have reported that WindowServer usage went down after turning off Night Shift. Here’s how you can control Night Shift on your Mac.

Still, facing the issue? As a last resort, try resetting NVRAM.

That’s it!

In conclusion, WindowServer is an essential macOS process. There is nothing to worry about its presence. If the WindowServer CPU usage is high, troubleshoot with the above steps. Let us know how you were able to fix the issue in the comments below.

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Everytime I force quit it, it comes back at the same amount of cpu

Anyone who uses a computer knows how frustrating it can be when it starts to slow down. This happens for several reasons. But one culprit we tend to overlook is the WindowServer using up too much CPU on your Mac.

If you’re clueless as to what that is or how it could possibly slow down your Mac, we’re here to help. This article will give you the lowdown on the WindowServer and show you how to lower its CPU usage on your Mac.

Before we start
The easiest way to free up space on your Mac is by cleaning it. While that sounds easy, it can be a tedious task to undertake manually, and you might not get the best results that way. You’d also have to keep making time to repeat the process every time your startup disk gets full. That’s why you need software that not only cleans your Mac but frees up disk space in the process. Fortunately, MacKeeper does that and more in just one click.
Open MacKeeper
Click on Safe Cleanup on the side bar
Click on Clean Junk Files
If any are found, MacKeeper will safely remove them
That’s just one of the many tools that come with MacKeeper. Download MacKeeper now to keep your Mac clean and in optimal condition.

What is WindowServer and why is it running on my Mac?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s straighten this out: What is a WindowServer? The WindowServer is the system responsible for processing the graphical elements you see on your Mac’s screen.

It’s one of the elements of your Mac that make it possible for you to read this article and view everything else you see on your screen. Every time you edit or move graphics on your screen, like when you drag a window from one place to another, the WindowServer redraws them.

The WindowServer achieves this using CPU cycles. If you perform multiple graphic tasks at a time, WindowServer uses more CPU cycles. It’s one of the reasons why your Mac sometimes runs slowly.

Here are some scenarios where your Mac’s WindowServer will use up more CPU cycles:

Editing images in Photoshop or another editing software
Opening multiple windows at a time
A cluttered desktop
Apps with junk files

These are just a few examples, but there are many more habits that can cause your Mac’s WindowServer to use more CPU cycles.

If you’ve ever been worried about WindowServer, you should know that it is not a virus and poses no threat to your Mac. For that reason, there’s no need to force quit WindowServer.

Having said that, you should definitely try to keep its CPU usage low. But before you do that, you must first find out just how much CPU your Mac’s WindowServer uses.

How to check how much CPU your Mac’s WindowServer uses

By now, you‘re probably curious about just how much CPU your Mac’s WindowServer uses. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to find out. Here’s how:

Go to Finder > Applications
Double-click on the Utilities folder
Open Activity Monitor
Now click on the CPU tab
Look for WindowServer on the list and check the percentage of CPU it is currently using

Anything under 60% is fine. However, if WindowServer is taking up more than that, it’s using more CPU cycles than it should. You need to consider reducing that usage.

How to reduce your Mac’s WindowServer CPU usage

We now know that multiple factors can increase your Mac’s WindowServer CPU usage. Therefore, goes without saying that if you want your Mac to perform optimally, you have to lower its WindowServer CPU usage. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Restart your Mac

The quickest and simplest way to reduce your Mac’s WindowServer CPU usage is by restarting your device. This often solves a lot of problems and saves you time and energy. And you can do it in a few clicks, too:

Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen
Scroll down and select Restart

Have trouble doing this? Learn how to force shut down a Mac that won’t turn off.

2. Declutter your desktop

It’s common for files to build up on your desktop over time. In many cases, these are downloads and duplicates you no longer need. That’s why you should make a habit of checking your desktop regularly and clean it up as needed.

If you really need to have files on your desktop, it’s better to organize them into folders. Otherwise, delete anything that doesn’t have to be on it.

A more effective way to achieve this is to use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup tool. A more effective way to achieve this is to use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup tool. Take advantage of a one-time free use of Safe Cleanup. It's an easy-to-use software that finds and removes junk files from your Mac in just one click.

These include logs, caches, language files, and much more that can be missed by the human eye. But it doesn’t stio there—it continues to scan your Mac for these regularly, so you can remove them at the click of a button and optimize your device.

Here’s how to get started:

Download and launch MacKeeper app on your Mac
Click on Safe Cleanup in the left panel, under the Cleaning tab
Check if all the file categories you want to be cleaned up are selected or click on the Check All box at the top
Now click on Clean junk files

This should make your Mac run smoother than before.

6. Update to the latest macOS

Running an older version of macOS is the reason for many issues on your Mac—including performance issues and, more importantly, having your privacy at risk. Many times, you don’t realize you haven’t updated it until your device starts running slowly.

It’s easy to update macOS. Follow the steps below to get started:

1. Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your Mac

2. Select System Preferences

3. Click on Software Update. Your Mac will quickly check for any available updates and show you the latest one

4. Check the box next to Automatically keep my Mac up to date to ensure you don’t miss any updates in the future

5. Now click on Restart Now to update macOS

Learn more about updating your Mac Operating System and installed apps.

7. Close other windows

If updating your macOS doesn’t work, you have one more option to try: close other windows in Mission Control.

If you’re wondering what that is, it’s where you can get a snapshot of the following in full-screen or split-screen view. It also makes it easy to switch between them:

Open windows on your Mac
Desktop spaces
Apps

In simpler terms, it allows you to get a quick view of everything you’re working on at the time. It’s especially helpful when multitasking or when you have a lot on your plate.

Now let’s look at how to close other windows in Mission Control. This will help you get a better handle on your tasks and prevent your device from slowing down as a result of having too many windows open. Do this every time you’re done using a window or app.

1. While several apps are open, double-click on an app icon in the taskbar

2. Select Show All Windows

3. Click on the X in the top-left corner of the window

Repeat this step for all open windows—it’s quick and easy to do.

Help your Mac work optimally again

You’ve learned that your Mac’s WindowServer can use up a lot of CPU, which can, in turn, slow down your computer. You can now take the necessary steps to lower its CPU usage. Follow the guidelines in this article to do just that and have your Mac working optimally in no time.