Why is the linux desktop client using large amounts of CPU?

rpurdie — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 09:12:40 GMT

I'm running Ubuntu 25.04 and finding the desktop client uses large amounts of CPU (50-60%) just to play music even when the video isn't turned on. This causes the fan to run on the laptop and quickly uses battery. I found that the player in chrome and firefox had the same high CPU usage issue. I see other posts asking related questions but it doesn't seem there is a fix for what is a really problematic issue. I'll have to switch to some other music setup as I can't work with this as it is if it can't be fixed or worked around.

Re: Why is the linux desktop client using large amounts of CPU?

samuelawachie — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 09:20:44 GMT

I find that this is the case as well. It wasn't an issue when I was on the 1.2.8 version. But that seems to not be able to install in my linux mint setup due to complications with dependencies; and I was using that so that I could use the older UI (I was previously on Zorin).

The CPU issue is with the renderer process. It uses more than 10% of the CPU when the Spotify-client is in the foreground. Once it's in the background, usage decreases to normal levels. If it's in the foreground, even if nothing is playing, it uses >10% CPU continuously.

I don't know what else I can do. I tried using Chatgpt to help solve this, by invoking various flags with the process, but those just create a new process and the main renderer process still churns away at the CPU continuously. I'm at a loss as to how to proceed to make this more performant like the 1.2.8 version I had was.

topic Why is the linux desktop client using large amounts of CPU? in Desktop (Linux)

Why is the linux desktop client using large amounts of CPU?

Re: Why is the linux desktop client using large amounts of CPU?