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chri10
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Battery Drain on Macbook M4 Sequoia

My Macbook M4 Sequoia which I bought last year at Media Markt in Breda the Netherlands started suddenly to drain battery, apparently without any reason. I checked the activity centre and it seems that the Processes Window Server and Message Center use more CPU than they should. This alerted me because excessive CPU use was one of the prequels to one of my former Microsoft Windows Computer crashes, and one of the reasons I switched to Macbook. Has anyone met with the same problem?

Posted on Nov 2, 2026 11:08 AM

6 replies

HWTech
User level: Level 9 (78,350 points)

Nov 3, 2026 8:44 AM in response to chri10

If the CPU is excessively active, then you likely have software that is causing it. Most macOS issues are caused by third party software. Typical culprits are anti-virus software, cleaning & optimizer apps, and third party security software (including VPNs). If you have any of these types of apps installed, then uninstall them by following their developer's instructions. These types of apps are needed on a Mac and usually cause more problems than they solve because they all interfere with the normal operation of macOS at a low level.


If you still have issues, then run the third party app EtreCheck and post the complete report here so we can examine for possible clues. It is also a good way to ensure that those dreaded apps I mentioned have been fully removed from the system.

How to Post an EtreCheck Report -- Apple Support Communities

chri10 Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Nov 5, 2026 7:54 AM in response to kaz-k

Thanks for your reply. I've contacted Apple Support and updated macOS. The matter seems to be resolved.

MartinR
User level: Level 7 (27,833 points)

Nov 2, 2026 2:13 PM in response to chri10

chri10 wrote:
started suddenly to drain battery, apparently without any reason.

That is not normal and would seem to indicate a battery or hardware problem. What makes you think "WindowServer or MessageCenter use more CPU than they should?"


If the Macbook is still under warranty and/or AppleCare+ set up a service appointment. Start with one or more of the following:

View Coverage - AppleCare & Warranty

Official Apple Support

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


chri10 Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Nov 4, 2026 12:14 AM in response to HWTech

Conflicting third party security software could indeed be the issue here, thanks!

MartinR
User level: Level 7 (27,833 points)

Nov 2, 2026 2:11 PM in response to kaz-k

kaz-k wrote:
I just wonder why you are still using Sequoia. I think Golden Gate could has better or smarter battery management lib for M4 MacBook Air.

I doubt that Sequoia is the problem. I've got Sequoia on an M4 and it's rock solid.

kaz-k
User level: Level 9 (53,902 points)

Nov 2, 2026 1:20 PM in response to chri10

Hi,

I just wonder why you are still using Sequoia. I think Golden Gate could has better or smarter battery management lib for M4 MacBook Air.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256387707