What is hidd?
hidd is the Human Interface Device service. Every key press, click, scroll and trackpad gesture passes through it before reaching your apps, along with input from game controllers and other devices.
Normal typing and pointing barely register. Constant input, or a device sending a stream of events, keeps it busy.
Why is hidd using so much CPU?
- A faulty or chatty device, such as a mouse or keyboard sending events constantly.
- High polling-rate gaming mice that report movement very often.
- Input utilities that remap keys, add gestures or change scrolling.
- Bluetooth trouble, with devices dropping and reconnecting.
How to fix high hidd CPU usage
- Confirm it in Activity Monitor. Press ⌘ Space, type Activity Monitor, open the CPU tab and sort by % CPU. Watch
hiddfor a minute: short spikes are normal, only steady high usage needs fixing. - Unplug or turn off input devices one at a time and watch
hiddin Activity Monitor. - Lower the polling rate of a gaming mouse in its own software, if it has one.
- Quit input utilities (key remappers, gesture tools) to test, then update the one that's responsible.
- Re-pair Bluetooth devices in System Settings › Bluetooth, then restart.
More help: How to check CPU usage on a Mac