The new bug in Chrome OS causes high CPU usage every time you check its usage, includes irony

The first users are used to dealing with bugs (or should to be), but from time to time a hidden problem can degenerate into stability, although they are rarely as funny as that. Some people experience problems with Chrome OS Stable v72 and later, which results in crazy CPU usage. The twist? This problem only occurs in very special and self-fulfilling circumstances: when the task manager is open.

The problem was reported for the first time by Chrome Unboxed, and it's hard to say how widespread it is. anecdotally, my Pixelbook on V72 is not affected, but reports are prevalent. Although the vast majority of comments on the associated entry in Chromium Bug Tracker involves the Pixelbook, other comments indicate that the Pixel Slate, the Samsung Chromebook Pro / V2 Plus and the HP Chromebook X2 are also affected – potentially from a larger list. machines.

Task Manager on an affected device, note the high CPU utilization by "system: system". Image via / u / WPWoodJr.

The problem initially seemed pretty serious, with the Chromebook system / system server: the system process was consuming 50% to 100% of the CPU usage of some devices, resulting in a noticeable lag and unusual in current use. Disabling support for Android apps seemed to solve the problem for those concerned, and some blamed the updated Android 9 Pie included in Chrome OS v72 and later.

However, subsequent reports and some investigations by members of the Chromium team indicate that the problem may be exaggerated by the monitoring of the system (or even caused by it). In other words, CPU usage only reaches these high numbers when the processor / task monitor is open – although it may remain another bug for users of Chromebook with enterprise management enabled.

If you're one of the people involved, Google seems to be identifying and solving the root cause of the problem. Apparently, the main developer who looked at the bug even canceled his call for additional comments. It seems that everything is under control.

In the meantime, try not to open the task manager if your Chromebook is running version 72 or later. As the old joke says, "Doctor, it hurts when I do that." "So do not do that."