Here are steps to troubleshoot and fix system out of memory errors:

Immediate Actions:

  1. Close unnecessary programs - End applications you're not actively using through Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac)
  2. Restart your computer - This clears temporary memory allocations and gives you a fresh start
  3. Check available RAM - Monitor memory usage to confirm it's actually a RAM issue

Short-term Solutions:

  1. 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
  2. Disable startup programs - Prevent unnecessary applications from launching at boot
  3. Run memory cleanup tools - Use built-in disk cleanup utilities or third-party memory optimizers
  4. Close browser tabs - Web browsers can consume significant RAM with multiple tabs open

Long-term Solutions:

  1. Add more physical RAM - Upgrade your system's memory if possible (most effective solution)
  2. Uninstall unused programs - Remove software you no longer need
  3. Update software and drivers - Memory leaks in outdated software can cause these errors
  4. Run memory diagnostics - Use Windows Memory Diagnostic or memtest86 to check for faulty RAM
  5. 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.