WallpaperVideoExtension was introduced by Apple with the release of macOS Sonoma and is maintained in the latest macOS versions (Sequoia). While its role is to bring more dynamism to desktop wallpapers, it can sometimes demand significant CPU and RAM resources.
Let’s take a closer look at what the WallpaperVideoExtension process is and how it benefits Mac users.
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What is the WallpaperVideoExtension Process on Mac, and What Does It Do?
WallpaperVideoExtension is a native macOS process responsible for managing and playing video wallpapers that you can set as your desktop background. Starting with macOS Sonoma, Apple allows users to set videos as desktop wallpapers, extending the functionality of screensavers.
More specifically, WallpaperVideoExtension manages the video content on the lock screen and desktop background. When you set a video screensaver to also act as your wallpaper, this process ensures a smooth transition from the lock screen to the desktop, allowing the video to play as a background for a period of time.
Unfortunately, while video wallpapers add dynamism and create a pleasant atmosphere, they can come with high RAM and CPU usage on some Mac computers.
Why Does WallpaperVideoExtension Consume High CPU and RAM Resources?
If you notice in Activity Monitor that WallpaperVideoExtension is consuming a lot of CPU and RAM resources, it’s likely due to a video wallpaper that requires significant processing power. Most of the time, video wallpapers are created in high resolutions and include complex visual effects, which can cause issues on some Mac computers.
In some cases, the WallpaperVideoExtension process can push the CPU usage above 100%, leading to system performance issues, especially if you’re running resource-intensive applications.
Additionally, if you’re using a custom video as your wallpaper, ensure it’s not corrupted or meets optimization standards for your system. A corrupted video file or one in an unsupported format can lead to difficulties and excessive CPU usage.
It’s also worth mentioning the VTDecoderXPCService process. This is another internal macOS process responsible for decoding video files. When WallpaperVideoExtension starts consuming resources, you may also notice VTDecoderXPCService doing the same in Activity Monitor. For more details, check out our article: VTDecoderXPCService – High CPU and Memory Usage on Mac.
What Can You Do If WallpaperVideoExtension Uses Too Much CPU?
The simplest solution to fix excessive CPU usage by WallpaperVideoExtension is to disable the use of the screensaver as your desktop wallpaper. Go to System Settings > Screen Saver and turn off the “Show as wallpaper” option.
Additionally, set a static image as your desktop background.
WallpaperVideoExtension is a process introduced in macOS Sonoma that can consume a significant amount of resources, particularly when using high-quality videos as desktop wallpapers. By opting for a static wallpaper or disabling the “Show as wallpaper” feature, you can reduce the resource usage and improve your Mac’s performance.
