High CPU Usage (~100%) on Mac

[samruston]

Spotify for macOS (Apple Silicon)
1.2.8.923.g4f94bf0d

Device: MacBook M1 Pro

Operating System: Ventura 13.0 (22A380)

I'm experiencing consistently high CPU usage from the Spotify desktop app for Mac. Whether the app is playing music or not, it consistently uses ~100% CPU usage. This has persisted across a clean reinstall of the app and restarts of the device.

Potentially related but after tapping some buttons in the UI (such as the logout button) then the app no longer works. Playing songs doesn't work, opening playlists, opening albums etc... I imagine it's related and thought it was worth a mention.

There have been similar sounding issues over the last few years that have been marked as resolved, but as I'm on the latest version and have followed any provided steps in the other threads, I believe this specific issue is still ongoing.

[samruston]

Hi,

Has anyone been able to look into this? I will provide any logs necessary. I am unable to use Spotify at all on Mac.

[samruston · Accepted solution]

This was fixed by deleting the contents of the Downloads folder and emptying the trash. I have no idea why that fixed it.

[scholtz]

Thanks Sam, i had the same issue. I ended up revoking the "Downloads" folder permission in the macOS settings under Privacy & Security > Files & Folders. No deleting files necessary!

[visxality]

Hey, I've started noticing this week that my Spotify (Spotify Premium for macOS 1.2.42.290.g242057a2) on my Macbook Pro (M1 Pro, 16GB RAM, Sonoma 14.5) started to use lots of CPU, even when not playing a track and running it only in the background.

"Spotify Helper (Renderer)" spikes crazy. I've searched for solutions and came across to set the volume level in the settings lower... and my crossfade option was already off. This is only a temporary fix; I can see Spotify Helper (Renderer) go down and then back up a bit later. I haven't found a permanent fix yet, anyone can help me with what to do next?
Also yes I tried re-installing and restarting my device.

[erichosick]

I tried doing what was recommended above ("evoking the "Downloads" folder permission in the macOS settings under Privacy & Security > Files & Folders") on a Macbook Pro (M1 Max) and at first it seemed to work. But, i'm back up to high CPU usage.

[yourownkindofmusic]

This is again a problem, end of 2025. I just bought a brand new Apple Macbook and Spotify is slow, it's unbelievable.