Geek's Advice

What is AIGPUSniffer, explained

AIGPUSniffer is a 100% secure auxiliary process that is owned by Adobe Systems Incorporated and comes with its products such as Adobe Illustrator. It is designed to prevent GPU-related program crashes by testing computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) capabilities and taking over misaddressed driver calls. The process launches along with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or other popular programs and this is when users notice its icon in the taskbar on Mac OS like Mojave or Windows computers. Besides, many users encounter AIGPUSniffer quit unexpectedly error, which can occur due to a variety of reasons.

Some users are worried about AIGPUSniffer appearing in the dock. The icon flashes shortly, which often prompts people to think it can be malicious behaviour. What is more, deleting it often seems like a solution to some users.

This process is 100% legitimate and safe. You do not need to delete AIGPUSniffer.exe or try to close it. All that it does is check if everything is OK to run your chosen Adobe product and ensure that it operates smoothly.

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Issues related to AIGPUSniffer

It might quit unexpectedly

Originally, the process should prevent Adobe programs from crashing, however, due to hundreds of complaints on online forums, it is clear that the process crashes itself very frequently. This prevents users from using their programs, which causes frustration. It has been noticed that the majority of people running into AIGPUSniffer quit unexpectedly error are using or have just updated to Mac OS Mojave.

If you have been running into problems with it due to its tendency to quit unexpectedly, check the How to Fix AIGPUSniffer Quit Unexpectedly guide provided on our website.

AIGPUSniffer won’t quit

Users of Adobe Illustrator report that after closing the program, AIGPUSniffer won’t quit automatically. This results in high CPU usage, which can severely slow the computer down. Unfortunately, it seems that this isn’t fixed from Adobe’s end yet, therefore you will have to fix it by closing the program via Task Manager manually.

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL and choose to open Windows Task Manager.
2. Here, find AIGPUSNIFFER, right-click on it and choose End Task.

It appears in Mac dock and can’t be closed

If you are wondering why this process doesn’t close on Mac, it is so because your operating system is designed to show recently used apps. All that you need to remove AIGPUSniffer from dock is:

1. Open System Preferences > Dock on Mac.
2. Here, deselect the Show recent applications in dock option.

One thing is clear – now that you know what is AIGPUSniffer, it is clear that you do not need to remove it from Mac or Windows as it is a safe process that poses no threat to your computer.

Norbert Webb

Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.