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XK0-006 A Linux system is experiencing high CPU load Practice Question
A Linux system is experiencing high CPU load. The administrator runs 'top' and sees that the 'kworker' processes are consuming significant CPU time. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'kworker' with a user-space process or attribute high CPU to a memory leak or swapping, but the key is recognizing that kworker is a kernel thread tied to hardware interrupt handling, making a hardware fault the most likely cause.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A hardware interrupt storm caused by a failing disk controller
The 'kworker' processes in the 'top' output indicate kernel workqueue threads that handle deferred work. High CPU usage by kworker is typically caused by a hardware interrupt storm, often from a failing disk controller or other faulty hardware generating excessive interrupts that the kernel must service. This forces the workqueue to constantly process interrupt-related tasks, consuming significant CPU time.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A kernel module memory leak
Why it's wrong here
Memory leak would show high memory usage, not necessarily kworker CPU.
- ✓
A hardware interrupt storm caused by a failing disk controller
Why this is correct
kworker handles workqueues; hardware issues cause interrupts.
- ✗
A user process stuck in an infinite loop
Why it's wrong here
User processes appear as user names, not kworker.
- ✗
Insufficient memory causing swapping
Why it's wrong here
Swapping would show high I/O wait, not kworker CPU.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Kernel
The kernel is the core program of an operating system that manages hardware resources and provides essential services for all other software to run.
Key term
Service
A service is a software component or system that performs a specific function and is available to be used by other programs or users over a network.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-006 exam.