Here are steps to troubleshoot and fix system out of memory errors:
Immediate Actions:
- Close unnecessary programs - End applications you're not actively using through Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac)
- Restart your computer - This clears temporary memory allocations and gives you a fresh start
- Check available RAM - Monitor memory usage to confirm it's actually a RAM issue
Short-term Solutions:
- Increase virtual memory/page file
- Windows: System Properties > Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory
- Set custom size or let system manage automatically
- Mac: Virtual memory is managed automatically
- Disable startup programs - Prevent unnecessary applications from launching at boot
- Run memory cleanup tools - Use built-in disk cleanup utilities or third-party memory optimizers
- Close browser tabs - Web browsers can consume significant RAM with multiple tabs open
Long-term Solutions:
- Add more physical RAM - Upgrade your system's memory if possible (most effective solution)
- Uninstall unused programs - Remove software you no longer need
- Update software and drivers - Memory leaks in outdated software can cause these errors
- Run memory diagnostics - Use Windows Memory Diagnostic or memtest86 to check for faulty RAM
- Check for malware - Some malicious software can consume excessive memory
For Specific Applications:
- Increase application-specific memory limits if available
- Switch to lighter alternatives for memory-intensive programs
- Process data in smaller chunks rather than loading everything at once
If the problem persists after trying these steps, you may have faulty hardware or need a more powerful system for your workload.