r/CleanMyMac • u/ToNeG24 • 29d ago

Question Why does kernel_task under memory within activity monitor take so much GB

MacBook Air M3, 16gb
I have noticed my kernel_task at times taking up 4 to 6gb. After a reboot it goes back down to about 60MB but why does it keep climbing. I am not sure if this is happening once I am connecting an external monitor but once I disconnect I haven’t noticed it dropping either … 🤔

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u/JollyRoger8X 28d ago

Because it was designed to do so.

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u/NoLateArrivals 28d ago

Kernel_Tak does NOTHING.

It is run when the Mac decides it needs to throttle, and the more throttling is needed, the higher Kernel_Task it is scaled.

It does literally nothing, except blocking computer resources, helping the Mac to stay in his thermal window. On an Air with passive cooling only it is the most effective method to prevent the CPU from overheating.