Dec 21, 2020 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions
Windows 10 and other older Windows applications are wonderful platforms because of their built-in features that improve their usability. These platforms have effective troubleshooting abilities to identify and resolve technical issues. One very common problem many users grapple with is the problem of low memory. In this article, we will show you ways to resolve this problem in a matter of minutes.
Overview of the error 'Your computer is low on memory'
The message 'your system is low on memory' can cause system lags and malfunctions that will leave you frustrated. This is a problem experienced by users of Windows 10, 8, and even Windows 7 in some cases. Low memory error may occur for several reasons but with our help, you should be able to have it resolved using one of the numerous steps we will show you below.
How to fix 'Your computer is low on memory' Windows error
Your computer may display this error for many reasons. Some of the instances may include.
- Low computer memory (This may be down to system misinterpretation)
- Low computer memory Claymore (When your system uses a lot of memory space it may trigger this message)
- Low computer memory with black screen issues (Black screen issues may cause your system to reboot without your permission)
- Low computer memory Cute PDF alerts (CutePDF often triggers memory alerts if you want to print converted PDF files
- Low computer memory Excel (A low memory message may block your attempts to save an Excel file)
- Low computer memory for gaming (Saving a lot of gaming data may trigger this error)
The term 'memory' is used to refer to the place where the computer holds the program and data it is working with at the moment. It's normally random access memory (RAM), but that can be extended with the page or swap file on the hard disk. It has everything you need for a free computer cleaner. User comments 'This is the best pc cleaner in Microsoft store'. Protect your PC against virus, malware, adware, ads, ransomware, spyware with Total PC Antivirus. It scans your whole computer to clean up junk files, speed up your PC.
These reasons may not be the only ones as there are several others. Regardless of the cause, here are some troubleshooting steps you can use to rectify the problem.
How to fix Computer is low on memory Windows 10
Method 1 – Run a system scan
Some malicious data files may trigger 'your system is low on memory' error. These files or programs will tend to ask you to download software to fix the problem. These are scams that you can avoid. With a full system scan, you can fix the error. To scan your PC you will need a very good anti-virus program that can be downloaded online. Depending on the type of anti-virus software you use, follow these steps for a full system scan.
- Go to the start page of your anti-virus Program to launch the tool
- On the left or right-hand side of the pane (depending on the program you are using) select the program icon
- The next step is to click on the Advanced scan option
- Check the option that allows for a full scan and click on it to launch a complete scan for malware.
If the low memory error was caused by malware or virus your anti-virus program will locate and eradicate it. The pop up low memory error will disappear.
Method 2 – Close programs that consume too much memory
Sometimes, low memory errors may occur if there are one too many errors taking up so much space in your memory. It will serve your interest to remove some programs that are not important to you to create space for more important ones. Here is how to have them removed.
- Launch the Task Manager by right-clicking the Taskbar and choose the option 'Task manager'
- From the main window of the Task Manager select the processes tab and click Memory to sort out memory usage.
- Remove the programs they are consuming so much memory.
Method 3 – Use your Windows Troubleshooter
Sometimes your programs may close forcefully because of a malfunction somewhere. This could prompt a low memory error. This may be because your computer is allocating too much memory space to the program in question. To resolve this kind of error follows these steps.
- Press 'Wind+F' keys on your Start screen
- Type Troubleshooting in the search bar
- From the Troubleshoot page select 'view all' and choose Maintenance.
- Click Next and wait for a little while for your Windows to run the process
- If you don't wish to close down the programs use a Windows 10 built-in tool for troubleshooting
- Go to Systems setting>Troubleshoot>navigate down to find and resolve any other problem
Method 4- Increase Virtual Memory manually
Many people do not know that they can increase virtual memory manually to resolve low memory alerts. This can be done through these listed steps.
- Go to the Start screen, type Advanced system settings and double click the very first result
- Pick the Advanced tab. Click in settings located under the performance pane.
- Click the Advanced tab once again in the new window and navigate to virtual memory. Select 'Change'
- Clear the box 'Automatically manage page file size for all the drives'
- Click Drive and pick a custom size
- Add a brand new megabyte size in the initial file size (MB) or a maximum size (MB) and then pick 'SET'
Method 5- Repair Registry
Another simple way to fix low memory error is to fix your Registry Mac the ripper download lion. with a cleaning tool. Before you repair your Registry do not forget to back it up first in case an error occurs during the process. You can use Microsoft System file checker to check for corruption of your files. Here is how you can run a system file checker with Microsoft tool.
- Go to Start, type 'cmd', right-click the Command prompt and select Run as the Administrator
- Type 'sfc/scannow' as the command
- Wait a while for the scanned to be comprehensive and then restart your PC. This stop will replace all corrupted files.
Method 6- Update OS
You need to make sure your PC is running on the latest Windows OS. Microsoft often provides users with updates to improve functionality and to fix issues.
To access the Update section, just type 'update' in the search bar then proceed to Windows Update to install updates if they are available.
Method 7- Check for disk errors
You can check for disk errors in File Explorer. All you have to do is to right-click the particular drive you want to scan and choose 'Properties. In the tools tab, select Check then pick 'Scan drive'
- If you use Windows 10, you can do a quick disk check using a Command prompt.
- Start the prompt as the administrator and type in these letters 'chkdsk C:/f then tap Enter. You can replace the letter C with the letter on your hard drive partition.
Method 8- Clean temporary folders and files
You can use Disk Cleanup to delete temporary folders and files that you don't need. When you browse the internet with your PC, it accumulates files and folders that you may not need for. These files may be eating up your space. Clean up with these steps.
- Go the Start page, type Disk Cleanup and launch the tool
- Choose the disk you wish to clean (The cleaner will tell you how much space the folder is taking)
How To Make Windows Use Less Ram
- Select the 'clean up system files option'.
Method 9- Remove newly installed software
If you installed any new software on your PC you may want to consider uninstalling it. To do that,
- Go to the Start Page, type Control panel, select 'Programs recently added' and click the Uninstall button
- Restart your PC and see if the issue has been resolved
These nine methods highlighted above have proven to be very effective ways of resolving issues associated with your computer is low on memory. If none of these methods work for you, consider expanding your RAM to create more space for additional data. Learn more methods to fix low memory errors.
Computer Troubleshooting
- Win System Crash
- Windows Tips
- Computer Problems
- Blue Screen Errors
While we know that the more RAM your computer utilizes to improve multitasking, the better (for productivity). Many users want to be in control of how RAM is allocated to various processed.
You might have encountered stutters or observed the sluggish performance of your computer when you’re low on RAM, so, it is sometimes important to know how to free up RAM and optimize it to make the most out of your computer memory.
Should You Upgrade Your RAM?
Should you simply add more RAM? Yes, and no. To answer the question, you have to analyze how your memory is being utilized.
The first thing you have to check- Is your RAM being used for all the necessary applications? If yes, you need that to make the most out of your computer – for better multitasking.
If you are not sure about that- we shall help you investigate and potentially fix it using the solutions that we shall discuss below.
How To Free Up & Lower Your RAM Usage?
1. Simply Perform A Restart
The easiest option to fix something on Windows is to just perform a reboot. Sometimes there are a lot of processes running and it is practically impossible and time-consuming to close them all – so it is better to just restart and have only the startup items show up in the background.
2. Get Rid Of Unwanted Programs
Sometimes we have several background processes running for applications that we may never use.
For instance, I had a VPN client installed – which I did not bother using. However, I always found a couple of background processes running associated with the VPN program.
So, navigate through the Settings -> Apps simply uninstall and remove the programs that you do not use – just to be sure that you do not have to deal with unnecessary background processes.
3. Use Applications That Are Light On System Resources
Just like Google Chrome, there are certain apps on Windows known to consume a lot of RAM to work. In that case, you can find lighter alternatives that could potentially lower the RAM usage on your computer.
You might find a “lite” edition or something simpler which should consume less memory. For instance, I could choose to utilize Firefox over Google Chrome which proves to consume less RAM – in my use-case.
Or maybe use something interesting like Opera GX which lets you limit the RAM usage for your browser. It is worth noting that you are concerned about a privacy-oriented browser, Opera may not be the best option.
4. Monitor RAM Usage
Even though you do not have anything unnecessary installed – you still observe a huge chunk of memory being utilized.
Sometimes an app consumes a lot of memory as part of its abnormal behavior. A recent update to the app could be a cause or maybe it is because of an extension that you just added to it which made things worse.
You cannot be so sure about that. Hence, you need to manage and monitor the RAM usage regularly to see what consumes the memory and keep things in check.
5. Use A ‘Game Booster’ Software To Suspend Processes While Gaming
Applications like Razer Cortex shall help you suspend all the unnecessary background processing before launching a game. So, you can have more RAM available dedicated to your game. While this may not make a big difference always – it is still worth a try. For some, it can be incredibly helpful.
6. Scan For Rogue or Malicious Process/Program
Even with an Antivirus program, you can have a malicious process consuming your system memory. It may not be possible to always spot the malicious process.
So, to get rid of such unwanted programs and processes, you can simply run a scan using AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes. If there’s something that bypassed your Antivirus, this is mostly going to help you get rid of it. Either way, it does not cost you anything to try the tool – so why not?
7. Minimize Startup Programs
A very small tweak that you can perform by just going to the Task Manager and head on to the Startup section. You should disable the programs that you do not need to be launched at startup.
In this way, you will have fewer programs running when you boot into your system. And, if everything else is perfect, you should have a lower RAM usage.
Free Up Memory Pc Windows 10
Wrapping Up
So, these are some of the best solutions that you can follow to free up some RAM. If you are still short on RAM after following our methods to optimize the usage, you probably need to add another RAM stick or maybe completely upgrade the RAM sticks that are compatible with your motherboard.
We hope this should help you optimize the RAM usage on your PC. Happy Computing!
Free Up Memory Pc
Filed in . Read more about Productivity.