Your computer is low on memory in Windows 11

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is a volatile memory that stores the data calculated by the CPU. This data is required by programs to show the results as per the commands entered by the users. RAM is an essential hardware component in computers. All the programs use some amount of RAM to function properly. If your computer runs low on memory, the opened programs will not work properly or crash unexpectedly. In this article, we will discuss what you can do if you see the “Your computer is low on memory” or “Out of memory” message on your system.

Your computer is low on memory in Windows 11/10

The error message “Your computer is low on memory” or ” Out of memory” is self-explanatory. Your computer does not have enough memory to run the programs. To resolve this issue, you have to free up memory. You can try the following solutions to resolve this issue.

1. Check which process is using more memory
2. Manage unnecessary processes and apps
3. Increase virtual memory
4. Make sure all your drivers are up to date
5. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic tool
6. Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter
7. Upgrade your RAM

Let’s see all these fixes in detail.

1] Check which process is using more memory

As explained earlier in the article, all programs require some amount of RAM to run on a computer. The amount of RAM consumed by the programs is not the same. This means that some programs may consume more RAM. If this happens, it creates a problem for the user. It is possible that some programs or services are consuming more RAM on your device. Identify them and kill them if they are not necessary. The steps for the same are explained below:

1. Open the Task Manager.
2. Click on the Memory. This will sort all the programs consuming RAM in decreasing order.
3. Now, you can easily see which program consumes more RAM on your system. If you do not need that program, terminate it. To do so, right-click on that program and select End task.

If the Task Manager shows that a particular service is consuming the high memory, stop that service by right-clicking on it. But before doing this, make sure that it is not a Windows Service. For this, right-click on that service and select Open Services. This action will open the Services Manager app.

Look for that service in the Services Manager app and open its properties by double-clicking on it. Now, you can read its description under the General tab. This will let you know whether you can stop that service or not. If you don’t understand the service description, you can read more information about that service online.

Some users have found the RunSWUSB service the culprit of the problem. According to them, the RunSWUSB service was consuming high memory. The issue was fixed when they stopped it. This service is related to the Realtek Network Card driver. If you see this service consuming high RAM, you can disable it.

Read: How to clear Memory Cache in Windows

2] Manage unnecessary processes or apps

Managing unnecessary processes or apps to cut down memory consumption is important. Startup apps are the apps that start automatically on system startup. These apps keep running in the background and use your system resources. It is important to disable those startup apps that you do not need.

When Windows starts, it loads all drivers, Windows Services, startup apps, and third-party services. All the services and startup apps run in the background. Your system requires Windows Services. Hence, disabling Windows Services is not the right decision as it can make your system unstable. But you can disable the third-party services. This will not cause any errors in your system. To view and disable the third-party services, you have to use the MSConfig app.

1. Open the Run command box and type MSConfig. Click OK. This will open the System Configuration (MSConfig) app.
2. Now, go to the Services tab.
3. Check the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox. You will see it on the bottom left side.
4. Now, you will see only the third-party services. Uncheck those third-party services that you do not need. Now, click Apply and then click OK.
5. Restart your computer.

The above action will disable the selected third-party services.

Related: The memory could not be written

3] Increase virtual memory

One effective solution to resolve this issue is to increase the virtual memory. Virtual memory, also called Page File, is used by Windows in addition to the physical memory or RAM when required.

Read: Fix Your system is running low on virtual memory message on Windows.

4] Make sure all your drivers are up to date

One possible cause of this error is corrupted or outdated drives. Make sure that all your drivers are up to date. Windows 11/10 automatically checks for driver updates. If an update for drivers is available, it is shown on the Optional Updates page in Windows 11/10 Settings. Open the Optional Updates page in Windows 11/10 Settings and see if an update for your drivers is available. If yes, update your drivers and see if this helps.

Read: How to Free up, Reduce or Limit RAM usage in Windows 11

5] Run Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

If the error still appears, you should check if your RAM is working fine or not. When RAM malfunctions, a computer starts showing the following symptoms:

• The computer’s performance slows down,
• Programs crash unexpectedly or refuse to open,
• Multitasking becomes a hard nut to crack for your computer, etc.

Your system shows symptoms similar to those mentioned above. Hence, you should check your memory by running the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.

6] Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter

The System Maintenance Troubleshooter detects and fixes common maintenance problems on a Windows PC. Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter and see if it helps fix the memory issue.

Read: The biggest Myths about RAM that many people have

7] Upgrade your RAM

If the issue is not resolved, you need to upgrade your RAM. The low memory problem occurs if you run too many programs on a system with less RAM.

Read: How to Enable or Disable Memory Compression in Windows.

What causes low memory on the computer?

The low memory issue occurs on a computer if the computer runs out of RAM. Every program that you run on your computer consumes some amount of RAM. When you open too many heavy programs, your computer may run out of memory. Opening too many tabs in a web browser also consumes too much RAM. To resolve this problem, you have to free up RAM.

How do I free up RAM?

You can free up RAM by killing unnecessary processes in the Task Manager. But before doing this, make sure that the process is not Windows. Killing a Windows process may make your system unstable. The startup apps also consume RAM. Therefore, disable all the startup apps to prevent them from running automatically on system startup.