Google Drive CPU usage is high after upgrading to Sequoia

Yup same issue. Only started happening when I upgraded to Sequoia. I've had Google Drive open for 2 days now so it's not some indexing or syncing issue but CPU is still pegged at 50% from Google Drive. Macbook Pro M1 14 inch.

That's an interesting observation. I normally run with 2 external monitors. If I close the MBP lid, the Google Drive CPU roughly halves (from 61% to around 30%). So not the same experience as yours, but equally odd. I don't have much on Google Drive other than email, so I'm just not running Google Drive to avoid the problem until it's resolved.

Oh wow, I run 2 monitors as well (1 connected to HDMI and 1 connected with a USB-C to HDMI adapter). I disconnected both monitors and Google Drive's CPU usage drops to near 0. And when I reconnected the monitors it jumps back up to 50% CPU usage.

So that's what it is.

Yes, interesting indeed. I have two external monitors connected via USB to a USB-C dock, which then obviously connects to my MBP via USB-C. I tried removing power from the monitors and Google Drive CPU went from 67% to 44%. I then disconnected the monitor USBs and the CPU went close to zero. The same happens when disconnecting the dock from the MBP. It seems that even though the monitors are powered down, the dock still sees that something is connected. Some monitors have inbuilt docks and can have connected storage - is this what Google Drive is perhaps looking for to give the option of backing up attached storage?

i.lewis.au wrote:

Yes, interesting indeed. I have two external monitors connected via USB to a USB-C dock, which then obviously connects to my MBP via USB-C. I tried removing power from the monitors and Google Drive CPU went from 67% to 44%. I then disconnected the monitor USBs and the CPU went close to zero. The same happens when disconnecting the dock from the MBP. It seems that even though the monitors are powered down, the dock still sees that something is connected. Some monitors have inbuilt docks and can have connected storage - is this what Google Drive is perhaps looking for to give the option of backing up attached storage?

I was actually curious about this as well, so I tested it. 😉

My displays both have built-in Ethernet and USB3 and USB-C ports (although no actual "storage" on them). One of them is connected directly to my dock via a standard DisplayPort cable, and the other one was using a USB-C connection into a Thunderbolt port on the dock. This obviously exposes the monitor's USB3 hub and ethernet to the Mac through the dock.

As a test, I used a DisplayPort to USB-C adapter, and changed the monitor that had been using a direct USB-C link, over to using its standalone DisplayPort input. I did not notice any appreciable change in behavior in Google Drive when doing this, so I don't think the monitor's "extra accessories" had anything to do with the CPU usage in GDrive. It seems like it's simply the act of having "extra displays" attached is causing the problem, although I don't understand why.

Also, unlike your experience, with my system simply powering off the external displays makes a big difference in CPU usage by GDrive. I didn't have to disconnect their signal cables from the dock. It is definitely easier to see the change by simply unplugging the dock's TB4 cable though.

Some interesting differences there - perhaps due to different docks? As an update, I provided additional feedback to Google explaining the impact external monitors seem to have on Google Drive CPU. It makes me feel better, but I'm not convinced anyone actually reads it, and they don't seem to have any page showing known issues.

I'm facing the exact same issue. Any type of external Monitor (HDMI or DP with Thunderbolt Dockingstation), the CPU goes up to 40-50% for GDrive while connected.

I also have OneDrive running but that one does not panic.

Macbook Air M3 btw...

Same. Upgraded to MacOS 15 last Tuesday, seeing Google Drive PU running ~40% consistently. Can only imagine what it's doing to my battery life.

Yes, Google Drive is running at 61% on M1 MacBook Pro. Been happening since the Sequoia upgrade.

Me too. Google drive is 98.0.0 version, macos is 15.0.1.

👍

Still not fixed with Google Drive Version 99 :(

Same here. Solved it unplugging my screen. But not a long-term solution unfortunately.