How to fix “corespeechd” high CPU usage in MacOS

What is “corespeechd” High CPU Usage Problem

Corespeechd process on macOS is responsible for handling voice recognition features such as Siri and Dictation. Under normal circumstances, it runs quietly in the background without consuming significant system resources. However, some users have reported experiencing high CPU usage by “corespeechd”, leading to decreased system performance, increased fan activity, and reduced battery life on laptops. This issue can stem from various causes, including software glitches, corrupted preference files, or conflicts with third-party applications. Understanding the root of the problem is essential for implementing an effective solution. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind the high CPU usage of “corespeechd” and provide comprehensive steps to resolve the issue, ensuring your Mac runs smoothly once again.

Potential Solutions to Fix “corespeechd” High CPU Usage

1. Restart Your Mac

Sometimes, a simple system restart can resolve temporary glitches causing high CPU usage.

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select Restart… from the dropdown menu.
3. Wait for your Mac to restart and check if the issue persists.

2. Disable Siri and Dictation

Disabling Siri and Dictation can stop the corespeechd process if it’s stuck or malfunctioning.

1. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Click on Siri.
3. Uncheck the box next to Enable Ask Siri.
4. Return to System Preferences and select Keyboard.
5. Go to the Dictation tab.
6. Select Off to disable Dictation.
7. Restart your Mac to apply the changes.

3. Reset Siri and Dictation

If you prefer to use Siri and Dictation, resetting them can resolve issues without permanently disabling these features.

1. Disable Siri and Dictation following the steps above.
2. Restart your Mac.
3. Re-enable Siri by checking Enable Ask Siri in System Preferences > Siri.
4. Re-enable Dictation by selecting On in System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation.

4. Delete Corrupted Preference Files

Corrupted preference files can cause processes to behave unexpectedly.

1. Open Finder.
2. Press Shift + Command + G to open the Go to Folder dialog.
3. Type ~/Library/Preferences/ and click Go.
4. Find and move the following files to the Trash:
   • com.apple.speech.recognition.AppleSpeechRecognition.prefs.plist
   • com.apple.assistant.plist
5. Empty the Trash.
6. Restart your Mac.

5. Update macOS

Ensuring your Mac is running the latest version of macOS can fix known bugs.

1. Go to System Preferences and click on Software Update.
2. If an update is available, click Update Now and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. After updating, check if the high CPU usage issue is resolved.

6. Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode can help diagnose issues by loading only essential system components.

1. Shut down your Mac completely.
2. Turn it on and immediately hold down the Shift key.
3. Release the key when the login window appears.
4. Log in to your account (you might need to log in twice).
5. Check if corespeechd is consuming high CPU in Safe Mode.
6. Restart your Mac normally to exit Safe Mode.

7. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

Resetting NVRAM/PRAM can fix various system-related issues.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on and immediately hold down Option + Command + P + R.
3. Keep holding the keys for about 20 seconds; your Mac may restart during this process.
4. Release the keys and allow your Mac to start up normally.

8. Run First Aid in Disk Utility

Disk Utility’s First Aid can fix disk errors that might cause processes to malfunction.

1. Open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities.
2. Select your startup disk (usually named Macintosh HD).
3. Click on the First Aid button and confirm by clicking Run.
4. Wait for the process to complete and then restart your Mac.

9. Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts

Some applications may interfere with system processes.

1. Consider any recently installed applications that might affect system performance.
2. Uninstall suspicious applications by moving them to the Trash from the Applications folder.
3. Restart your Mac and monitor CPU usage.

10. Reinstall macOS

If all else fails, reinstalling macOS can resolve deep-rooted software issues.

1. Back up important data using Time Machine or another backup method.
2. Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Reinstall macOS from the macOS Utilities window.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation.

Conclusion

Persistent high CPU usage by the corespeechd process can be frustrating, but the solutions provided above should help you resolve the issue. Start with the simpler steps and proceed to more advanced solutions as needed. If the problem continues after attempting these fixes, consider reaching out to Apple Support for further assistance.