Sometimes your Mac would display names or files that you can’t simply understand with the terms. AIGPUSniffer is one such file. It generally works in the background when you use Adobe Illustrator or In Design but may randomly pop-up as the reason behind certain issues. This makes you wonder if it is a virus or malware and something to worry about. Does the situation seem relatable now?
Here, I will tell you what AIGPUSniffer is, and if it is a virus or malware. Additionally, I will also tell you the solutions for all the common issues related to it.
What is AIGPUSniffer?
To make an application run smoothly and properly on any operating system, several processes and services run in the background and foreground. AIGPUSniffer is one such process that runs in the background for Adobe applications. Basically, AIGPUSniffer is an auxiliary process that is a part of Adobe applications like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe In Design, and many more. It is a completely safe process that checks your GPU’s effectiveness to make sure if it is compatible with the app that you are trying to open.
This process launches along with Adobe applications and keeps working in the background. However, sometimes it may appear on your screen due to certain reasons and this may make you worried. The worry comes with the fact that this process appears with an issue or two.
However, if it isn’t appearing with any issue and you are just curious, then I’d like to tell you that this process is absolutely safe and you should let it work.
What does it do?
AIGPUSniffer is an auxiliary process that checks the capabilities of the GPU to prevent GPU-related program crashes and takes over misaddressed driver calls. It is an essential process for Adobe applications and you should let it work as it is supposed to. Many users think that it is useless and they can simply delete it. But, I wouldn’t recommend that. Deleting it may cause Adobe apps to crash abruptly.
This process is needed to check that everything is fine and makes sure that the app you are about to launch runs smoothly.
Is AIGPUSniffer a Virus or Malware?
NO. AIGPUSniffer is not a virus or malware. It is a completely safe auxiliary process working for Adobe applications. To make sure that it isn’t malicious, we checked with a credible antivirus. The results reflected no worries. Many users often confuse it with being a virus due to it appearing in the dock. The icon flashes for a moment and goes away. This makes users think that it is unsafe, a virus, or something to worry about.
Common Issues Related to AIGPUSniffer & Their Solutions
The AIGPUSNiffer process is present there to prevent issues with the Adobe apps. However, sometimes this process itself starts causing trouble. When this happens, users are left puzzled and they can’t solve the problem with simple restarting. I will tell you about the common issues that this process can initiate along with their solutions.
1. AIGPUSniffer Quit Unexpectedly
AIGPUSniffer quit unexpectedly is a common issue related to the process. When this happens, the process will suddenly crash and the user will not be able to launch the Adobe program they are trying to. This issue usually appears on Mac OS Mojave and may occur due to faulty or incomplete Adobe updates. Other reasons for this issue include outdated Adobe software, abnormal GPU acceleration, and incorrect file type association settings.
This issue first appeared in 2015 and hasn’t gone since. If you are also suffering from it, I’ve got the best solutions for you.
Solution-1: Disable GPU Acceleration on Adobe Program
The most working solution for this issue is turning off the GPU Acceleration on the program it is appearing. Follow the simple instructions mentioned below to know what you need to do.
- Step-1: Go to the Program’s Preferences. If you are using Adobe Illustrator, click on Illustrator, and then click on Preferences.
- Step-2: Now click on the GPU Performance tab present on the left side.
- Step-3: Next, deselect the GPU Performance option and then click on OK.
That’s it.
Solution-2: Change File Type Association Settings
Another working solution for this problem is changing the file type association settings in Adobe Bridge preferences. Follow the simple instructions presented below.
- Step-1: Launch Adobe Bridge.
- Step-2: Now click on Preferences. You have to click on Edit and then on Preferences if you are using Windows.
- Step-3: Next, click on the “File Type Association” present on the left side menu.
- Step-4: Here, configure the settings for which files have to associate with which program. If you are having problems with Illustrator, scroll down to it, and set it from default to Adobe Illustrator CC.
That’s it.
2. AIGPUSniffer Appearing on Mac Dock and Can’t be Closed
Another issue that is related to this process is that it randomly appears in the Dock and can’t be closed. As users don’t know usually what the process does, they try to close it and are not able to close it. This leaves them bewildered. But, there is nothing actually to worry about it.
The process only appears on the Dock because the OS is designed in this way. The recently used apps are meant to appear on Dock. And, you can easily remove it by using the solutions presented below.
Solution: Deselect Show Recent Applications in Dock
To remove AIGPUSniffer from the Dock, follow the simple steps mentioned below.
- Step-1: Go to System Preferences and then click on Dock.
- Step-2: Find and deselect the “Show recent applications in Dock” option here.
- Step-3: Close System Preferences.
That’s it. Remember that this will make all the recent apps disappear from Dock. So, I wouldn’t recommend doing this.
Final Verdict
AIGPUSniffer is a completely safe auxiliary process that works with Adobe program. The main purpose of this process is to check the GPU’s effectiveness to measure the compatibility and prevent app crashes. It isn’t a virus or anything to worry about. These are some of the common issues related to it and their solutions. If you face any other related issues, feel free to share with us, we’ll try to find solutions for them as well. You can also visit this Apple thread to seek further help.
That’s all for this post. I hope you find it helpful. If you have any queries regarding anything mentioned above, feel free to ask. I’ll be obliged to answer.
