As the need for multitasking increases in an ever-busy IT world, running multiple applications concurrently has become the norm.
Some applications demand a lot of “free memory” to run efficiently because of the high demand placed on the CPU. Such software applications include Graphic design and video editing applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and gaming software.
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These applications hog a lot of RAM or main memory and since RAM is finite, it gets depleted forcing the system to turn to virtual memory. When virtual memory gets over-utilized, the system triggers a “Low on Memory” warning notification indicating that you are running low on virtual memory.
Many users reporting this kind of problem are known to use Windows 10 as their choice operating system. Since this error leads to slow computer operations, the best thing to do is to transfer some of the used memory pages to another system file by the name pagefile.sys. This hidden file is found in the root directory and you can use it to allocate more RAM space for quick machine operations.
Fix Computer Low on Memory
What Causes the Computer is Low on Memory?
- Running many processes
- Junk files occupying space
- Low virtual memory
- Having too many installed programs
Fixing Computer Low on Memory Error
- Ending Processes that are using too much memory
- Increasing the Virtual Memory
- Editing Group Policy
- Run System File Scan
- Update Windows to Latest Version
- Upgrade System RAM
What causes the Computer is Low on Memory Error?
The error is quite bothersome especially when you are running a program that needs a lot of free space. The best advice you can get from this article is not to rush to purchase an extra RAM yet the problem could be a software issue. Some of the causative factors include:
Running many Processes
Processes that consume a lot of space available on the memory leaving no space for other programs will lead to this error. This happens when so many programs are running at the same time. When your windows machine encounters many program instructions, it will transfer some to the virtual memory (a process known as paging). The best way to avoid such scenarios is to reduce the number of running programs.
Junk Files Occupying Space
The computer’s system registry always stores program information on RAM over time. When the number of information stored increases, they end up using part of the RAM. The best solution to this is using the Disk Cleanup Utility to delete all junk files.
Low Virtual Memory
When the virtual memory is used past its limit, this error is inevitable. It implies that the system can no longer handle any more processes and memory needs to be freed up.
Having Too Many Installed Programs
If the number of programs installed on the computer does not leave enough space to allow for startup applications, you are likely to encounter this error. The reason behind this is due to RAM overload, which can be solved by uninstalling the software, or programs that are rarely used from the computer.
All these problems will undermine the ideal performance of your computer which will leave you frustrated. Some simple things such as opening multiple tabs in a browser while performing several tasks simultaneously may also lead to computer low on memory error.
Try the following steps to further troubleshoot your PC
Fixing Computer Low on Memory Error
If your computer keeps displaying this error, you will need to change the maximum and minimum page file size. Alternatively, you can quit the troublesome applications that are eating up too much RAM memory.
Ending Processes that’s using too much main Memory
The best way to uncover the application causing this error is to access the task manager by pressing the usual key combination of CTRL + SHIFT + ESC. Head to the processes tab and identify the application that has a high memory allocation.
- Launch the Task Manager.
- Right-click on the process and select ‘End Task’ as shown below.
NOTE: Though this may be a temporary fix, It’s however not the best approach provided you still need to run the application.
Fixing the pagefile.sys file on your Windows 10 computer is a better workaround. You can follow the easy steps detailed below and find a lasting solution to fixing the low memory error message.
Increasing the Virtual Memory
Press Windows key+ R and run sysdm.cpl
The System Properties dialog box will pop open.
Click on the Advanced tab and then on the Settings Button found under the Performance section.
On the Performance Options window on the Advanced tab, click on the Change button found under Virtual Memory section.
The virtual memory window will open. uncheck the ‘Automatically Manage paging file size for all drive’ option.
Then select system drive and then click on the Custom Size option button and enter the desired size on the Initial Size and Maximum Size input buttons (your entries should be in MB). Make sure the No Paging Option is not selected.
Once satisfied with your entries, click on the OK button and the Apply button.
The steps taken above have increased the paging file size on a Windows 10 computer. It is only advisable to reboot the computer if you have decreased the paging size and not when it is increased.
Edit Group Policy
Sometimes the problem may refuse to go away even after increasing the pagefile. If that is your case, try the following steps to further troubleshoot your PC:
- Click on search and type Edit Group Policy
- In the next window, click on Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System
- Scroll down and double-click on Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
- Click on Windows Resource Exhaustion Detection and Resolution
- Double-click on settings found on the right side window under Configuration Scenario Execution Level
- Another window will appear where you have to choose the Disabled Option
- Click on Apply and finish by clicking OK.
Run System File Scan
When system files such as essential registries get corrupted, they might cause low on memory issues. For fixing that, you can use the Windows in-built system file scan(SFC). Here are the steps for that:
Here are the steps for that.
- From the Windows search bar, search and launch the Command Prompt with the administrator rights.
- Type this command and hit the Enter key: sfc/scannow.
- The scanning would start, and it would take some time to complete depending on your system configuration.
- After the scan, if it found any problem, the solution would be automatically applied.
- Close the Command Prompt window and restart your system.
Update Windows to Latest Version
- Open windows settings and navigate to Update & Security.
- Click on Check for Updates and update your system, if any available.
Upgrade System RAM
If your system does not have much RAM and you regularly need to run heavy programs, it is better to upgrade the system RAM and fix the low on memory issue. Buying RAM is not expensive as it was before. If you don’t have much knowledge of it, you can get professional help.
Summing Up
In this article, we have given you causes and possible solutions to ‘Your Computer is running Low on memory’ warning. While ending the problematic tasks may temporarily fix the situation, increasing the paging file size will ultimately sort your Computer Low on Memory issues in windows 10. Be sure also to scan your system using Windows Defender to clean up any malware that may be sabotaging your system and slowing it down.
The available RAM on your system is low because modern programs requires more amount of RAM and other resources to run properly. If your system RAM is already in-built low and you run any heavy program, the RAM available to run any other program would be pretty less.
Your computer is low on memory means that the RAM consumptionn is higher and your system is out of virtual memory.
Hey, this is Margaret, a Windows Systems Administrator who’s in love with everything about tech.