What is VTDecoderXPCService on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Decodes (and encodes) video for apps using Apple's VideoToolbox, often with hardware help.
VTDecoderXPCService decodes video for apps that use Apple's VideoToolbox framework, and VTEncoderXPCService encodes it. Browsers, video players, video-calling and screen-recording apps use them, usually with the Mac's dedicated media hardware. CPU use here simply reflects video being played, streamed or recorded by some app.
- Category
- macOS system
- Made by
- Apple
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Shown in Activity Monitor as VTDecoderXPCService, VTEncoderXPCService
Why is VTDecoderXPCService using so much CPU or memory?
- Watching or streaming video, especially high resolution
- Video calls or screen sharing
- Screen recording or video editing/exporting
- Video formats your Mac can't decode in hardware
What to do
- 1Pause videos and close tabs that play video, then check again
- 2End video calls or screen recordings you don't need
- 3Restart the app that's playing video
- 4Restart your Mac if it stays high with no video playing
Safe to quit? With care.
It relaunches when needed; video in the app using it may freeze or stop.
Related processes
Part of the Taskglass Process Library