FIX WindowServer Quit Unexpectedly on Sonoma/Sequoia

This article explains WindowServer for Mac and offers tried-and-true fixes for the crashes on macOS Sonoma/Sequoia/Ventura/Monterey due to high memory usage for any reason.

The WindowServer macOS process handles everything from window animations to screen rendering, controlling how visuals and UI components appear on your screen.

Thanks to WindowServer, Mac users can see all the processes and activities running on their machines. On a Mac, WindowServer is also in charge of redrawing your screen when you switch tabs in Safari, adjusting the open windows, and enabling functions like photo and video editing. As you may expect, when WindowServer crashes or quits unexpectedly, the mouse pointer may still work, but all windows usually become unusable. 

How to Fix WindowServer Quit Unexpectedly on Sonoma/Sequoia

To help you avoid the unexpected quit, we've compiled a list of all the fixes that have been successful for certain Mac user groups.

• Fix 1. Turn Off Menu Bar Extensions
• Fix 2. Consider Using a Different Dock
• Fix 3. Change Settings in Mission Control

Fix 1. Turn Off Menu Bar Extensions

Some menu bar utilities, such as Bartender, Hidden Bar, Dozer, Vanilla, or iStat Menus, can occasionally cause WindowServer crashes on macOS. If you are currently using these utilities, consider stopping or removing them to see if it will prevent crashes from happening again.

Step 1. Right-click (or Ctrl+click) on the app's menu bar icon.

Step 2. Look for a "Quit" or "Exit" option.

Step 3. If there's no quit option, open Activity Monitor, select the process, and click Stop (X).

Fix 2. Consider Using a Different Dock

If your Mac unexpectedly shuts down when it is attached to one via a dock or hub, it is advised to use a separate external display. If you can, try using an alternative cable or port.

Faulty or low-quality cables can cause instability:

• Swap the current cable (HDMI, USB-C, DisplayPort, etc.) with a high-quality, certified alternative.
• Avoid cheap/unbranded cables—they may not support proper bandwidth.
• Try a direct connection (bypass the dock/hub if possible).

Fix 3. Change Settings in Mission Control

Some users have found that the "WindowServer quit unexpectedly" problem on Macs can be successfully fixed by disabling the two settings in Mission Control. If you frequently have WindowServer crashes or WindowServer prevents your Mac from sleeping, it could be worthwhile to try this approach.

Step 1. Click the Apple logo, and choose "System Settings" or "System Preferences".

Step 2. From the left sidebar, choose Desktop & Dock.

Step 3. Scroll down to find the Mission Control section.

Step 4. Disabled "Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use".

If you find this information helpful, please share it with others on social media to help them overcome this common challenge.

Recover the Data When WindowServer Quit Unexpectedly on Mac

If your Mac's WindowServer unexpectedly quits - causing freezes, crashes, or unresponsive apps - you may risk losing unsaved files or corrupted data. Follow these steps to recover your files safely, including using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac as a recommended solution.

• Recovers deleted, corrupted, or lost files after crashes.
• Supports APFS, HFS+, exFAT, and NTFS drives.
• User-friendly interface (no terminal commands needed).

Step 1. Select the drive to be scanned

In the main EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard window, there will be a list of the drives connected to your Mac. Select the drive you need to recover lost/deleted files from, and click the "Search for lost files" button.

Step 2. Select your lost data/files

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results on the left pane. You can sort the results to find the wanted files if you are looking for certain files.

Step 3. Recover lost/deleted data

Once you have found the desired files, preview the files and then click "Recover" to begin the recovery of your deleted/lost Mac files.

FIX WindowServer Quit Unexpectedly FAQs

If you still have some questions about WindowServer Quit Unexpectedly Warning, check the quick answers below to help yourself out:

1. How to fix the WindowServer quits unexpectedly on Ventura?

There are many solutions to fix WindowServer quit unexpectedly on macOS Ventura:

1. 1. Adjust settings in Mission Control.
2. 2. Delete display preference files on Mac.
3. 3. Change the Lock Screen settings on macOS Ventura.
4. 4. Update macOS Ventura.
5. 5. Downgrade macO Ventura.
6. 6. Create a new account on macOS 13.

2. How can WindowsServer's high CPU usage be fixed on Mac?

By removing extraneous items from the Mac desktop, shutting down unwanted windows, turning off visual effects, and manually uninstalling the virus, you can lower WindowServer's excessive CPU utilization on Mac.