Is your Windows 11 computer running low on memory? Low memory can cause your computer to slow down, freeze or crash. Fortunately, there are some easy fixes that you can try before investing in new hardware or upgrading your computer.
In this article, we will discuss the 6 easiest fixes if your Windows 11 computer is low on memory. These fixes will help you free up memory on your computer and improve its performance.
So, let’s dive in and learn how to optimize your computer’s memory usage.
Why does Windows 11 keep running out of memory?
There are various factors contributing to this problem. Some of the most common causes include:
- Insufficient RAM: If your computer has low RAM, it can quickly fill up with the programs and processes running on your computer. This can cause your computer to run out of memory and slow down.
- Too many programs running: If you have too many programs running at the same time, they can use up all the available memory on your computer, leading to a low memory warning.
- Large files and programs: Large files such as videos, photos, and games, as well as memory-intensive programs, can use up a significant amount of memory. If you are running several of these programs at the same time, your computer may run out of memory.
- Malware and viruses: Malware and viruses can cause your computer to run slowly and use up more memory than normal. If your computer is infected with malware, it may run out of memory more frequently.
- Outdated hardware or drivers: Outdated hardware or drivers can cause memory leaks and other performance issues, leading to low memory warnings.
What causes PC memory failure?
There are several factors that can cause PC memory failure. Some of the most common causes are:
- Electrical damage: Power surges, lightning strikes, or other electrical disturbances can cause electrical damage to memory modules, resulting in memory failure.
- Physical damage: Memory modules can be physically damaged by improper handling, dropping, or mishandling, leading to memory failure.
- Heat damage: Overheating can cause memory modules to fail. This can be due to poor ventilation, overclocking, or dust buildup inside the computer.
- Age: Over time, memory modules can wear out and begin to fail. This is a natural process and can happen after several years of use.
- Manufacturing defects: Occasionally, memory modules can have manufacturing defects that cause them to fail prematurely.
- Incompatible hardware: Incompatible hardware or software can also cause memory failure. For example, using memory modules that are not compatible with your motherboard can cause stability issues and memory failure.
- Overclocking: Overclocking memory can cause it to operate at a higher frequency than it is designed for, leading to instability and memory failure.
What do I do if my Windows 11 PC is low on Memory?
1. Manually increase the size of your virtual memory
- Press the Windows key, type advanced system settings in the search bar, and select the relevant option.
- Navigate to the Advanced tab, and under the performance section select Settings.
- Select the Advanced tab, and select Change under the Virtual memory section.
- Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option, choose the drive you want to replace, click Custom size, input the number of MB inside Initial size or Maximum size, and finally choose Set and click OK.
- Next, check to see if the problem has been solved.
2. End programs using too much memory
- Hold Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.
- Select the Memory tab, go over all the processes based on the amount of memory they are using, select the ones using the most memory, and choose End task.
- Close your Task Manager and check if the problem has been fixed.
3. End processes using commit size
- Hold Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.
- Navigate to the Details tab, right-click on the Name section, and choose Select columns.
- In the new window, scroll down and locate Commit size, tick the box next to it, and choose OK.
- Now, click the Commit size column to sort all the processes based on the commit size, choose the top processes, and click End task.
- Lastly, check to see if the problem has been fixed.
4. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool
- Click the magnifying glass icon on the Taskbar, type memory diagnostic in the search bar, then choose the relevant option.
- Choose the Restart now and check for problems option.
- The Memory Diagnostic tool will start scanning your RAM for problems. You will get a detailed explanation of the problem if it finds any. If not, your PC will begin to boot normally.
5. Update your drivers
- Click the magnifying glass icon on the Taskbar, type device manager in the search bar, and click on the relevant option.
- Go through your list of drivers and look for anyone with an exclamation mark.
- If you find one, right-click on the driver and choose Update driver.
- Choose the Search automatically for drivers option.
- If a new driver is available, your device will install it, and you will be prompted to restart your PC.
6. Run the system maintenance troubleshooter
- Hold down the Windows + R to launch the Run dialogue box, type control, and hit Enter to open the control panel.
- In the top right corner, select the little arrow next to the Large icon option, and choose Troubleshooting.
- On the left corner, choose View all.
- From the list of troubleshooters, choose System Maintenance, then click OK.
- Allow the troubleshooter to identify and fix any error causing this problem on your device.
- Finally, check to see if the problem has been resolved.
If your computer is low on memory in windows 11, the solutions listed in this article are sure to help you fix this issue and get your device up and running in no time.
Work through as many solutions as possible till you find a solution that works best for you. We will be happy to know which of the solutions worked best for you in the comment section below.
