macOS processes › Core system
What is configd on Mac?
configd is the macOS System Configuration daemon. It keeps track of your network setup, such as which connections are active, your IP addresses, DNS servers and proxies, and tells apps when any of it changes.
What it does
When you join a Wi-Fi network, plug in Ethernet, or connect a VPN, configd updates the system's network state and notifies apps and other services. It also stores a few other system settings, such as your computer's name. It starts at boot and runs the whole time your Mac is on.
Why it gets busy
- A connection that keeps dropping and coming back, often a flaky dock, adapter, cable or Wi-Fi signal.
- VPN, virtual machine or container apps that add and remove network interfaces.
- Several connections active at once, such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet with different settings.
Why is configd using so much CPU?
configd works hard when your network setup keeps changing. A connection that drops and reconnects, or a VPN or virtual machine app adding and removing interfaces, is the usual cause.
Is it safe to quit?
Quitting it interrupts networking for every app and gains nothing, since the cause is usually a changing connection.
How to calm it down
- Watch your connection in System Settings › Network for a minute. If its status keeps changing, fix that first.
- Quit VPN, virtual machine and container apps one at a time to see which one is churning interfaces.
- Remove network services you no longer use from System Settings › Network.
In SystemWatch
SystemWatch's History shows whether configd's spikes line up with a VPN or virtualization app starting, which narrows down the cause.
