This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Firefox Version 98.0.2 uses too much CPU (90% +) on Mac Monterey

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by NormG1

more options

Fix your software and memory leaks.

Firefox runs at 90% plus CPU use with one tab running Hulu streaming.

All the standard responses are USELESS and do not solve the problem. Please don't waste your time suggesting resetting SMC or having too many applets running in the background. There is something really wrong with Firefox code under Mac Monterey.

I have disabled the Firefox option to use the GPU. I have used software to turn off Intel Turbo Boost. I have removed Google Chrome from my system on the advice of otherson the Internet that Google Chrome Mac runs update software in the background. I created a new user as suggested by Apple Support. Made no difference.

The high CPU load often causes CPU frequency throttling and NOT excess heat. This is NOT a fan problem. The fans are working as they should if the heat level rises. The CPU frequency jumps around from the normal 2.6 Ghz to as low as 1.25 Ghz, which is so slow as to totally cripple the computer. Audio gets distorted and choppy, video freezes, keyboard and mouse stop responding.

This problem started when I upgraded to Mac OS 12. I am now on V12.3.1.

I am out of solutions.

Fix your software and memory leaks. Firefox runs at 90% plus CPU use with one tab running Hulu streaming. All the standard responses are USELESS and do not solve the problem. Please don't waste your time suggesting resetting SMC or having too many applets running in the background. There is something really wrong with Firefox code under Mac Monterey. I have disabled the Firefox option to use the GPU. I have used software to turn off Intel Turbo Boost. I have removed Google Chrome from my system on the advice of otherson the Internet that Google Chrome Mac runs update software in the background. I created a new user as suggested by Apple Support. Made no difference. The high CPU load often causes CPU frequency throttling and NOT excess heat. This is NOT a fan problem. The fans are working as they should if the heat level rises. The CPU frequency jumps around from the normal 2.6 Ghz to as low as 1.25 Ghz, which is so slow as to totally cripple the computer. Audio gets distorted and choppy, video freezes, keyboard and mouse stop responding. This problem started when I upgraded to Mac OS 12. I am now on V12.3.1. I am out of solutions.

All Replies (1)

more options

My attached image did not upload. It still does not upload. Just the spinning beachball of death.

The screenshot can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gntdod1cqr2r25v/Firefox-High-CPU-usage.jpg?dl=0