macOS processes › Core system
What is hidd on Mac?
hidd is the macOS daemon for human interface devices: keyboards, mice, trackpads and similar input hardware. It handles their input before it reaches the rest of the system and your apps.
What it does
It works with the drivers for built-in and connected input devices and passes their events along to the rest of macOS. Because every key press and pointer movement goes through this path, a device that sends far more events than usual shows up as extra work for hidd.
Why it gets busy
- A gaming mouse or controller with a very high polling rate, which sends many more events per second.
- A faulty device, cable or receiver sending a constant stream of input.
- Several input devices and hubs connected at once.
Why is hidd using so much CPU?
hidd is busy when input devices send a lot of events, such as a high-polling-rate mouse or a faulty device. Unplug devices one at a time to find it.
Is it safe to quit?
Your keyboard, mouse and trackpad depend on it. Quitting it can leave input unresponsive until macOS restarts it.
How to calm it down
- Unplug external input devices one at a time to see whether one is responsible.
- Lower a gaming mouse's polling rate in its own software, if it has that option.
- Try a different port, cable or receiver for a wired or dongle-based device that misbehaves.
In SystemWatch
SystemWatch's History shows whether hidd's activity starts when you connect a particular device, which makes the faulty one easy to identify.
