Windows 11 Not Using All RAM? How to Quickly Fix it

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Key notes

  • If your Windows 11 PC is not using all the available RAM, this might have a serious impact on the functioning of the computer.
  • Try running the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, disabling the page file, modifying usable RAM, amongst other fixes listed below.
  • Also, find out how to fix the high RAM usage issue in Windows 11.
Windows 11 is not using all the available RAM on the system

At some point, we have all noticed the system consuming high RAM which consequently affects its performance. But several users have reported quite the opposite, that Windows 11 is not using all the available RAM.

Memory is used to temporarily store the files that you are currently working on, and issues with it have a serious impact on the functioning of the computer.

The error we are dealing with here is tricky since most users are unable to identify the underlying cause, and there isn’t much data available on the internet to address and eliminate the issue.

In the following guide, we will list out the reasons behind it and the methods to get Windows 11 to use all the RAM on your system.

Why isn’t Windows 11 using all RAM on my PC?

First of all, your computer would never use all the available memory or RAM. For instance, the Dell Inspiron laptop that is being used to write this article has 16 GB of installed RAM while only 15.7 GB of it is usable.

But if you notice that the OS isn’t able to utilize even the available RAM, it could be due to misconfigured settings, problems with the slot, or the RAM itself.

Apart from that, certain devices, say the graphic card, are also known to reserve a certain amount of RAM/memory.

By now, you are fairly acquainted with the concept and in a far better position to troubleshoot the problem. Let’s now walk you through the most effective fixes to eliminate the Windows 11 not using all the RAM issue.

What do I do if Windows 11 is not using all RAM?

1. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Windows Memory Diagnostic tool in the text field at the top, and then click on the relevant search result that appears.Run Windows Memory Diagnostic to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  2. Now, select Restart now and check for problems (recommended) from the two options listed here.Restart now and check for problems

Microsoft offers a dedicated built-in tool, Windows Memory Diagnostic that identifies problems with the RAM and automatically eliminates them. When Windows 11 is not using all RAM, your primary approach should be to run the tool.

Do remember to save any open files to avoid data loss, since the computer will restart.

2. Check page file

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter View advanced system settings in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.View advanced system settings to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  2. Click on Settings under Performance in the Advanced tab.Performance settings
  3. Navigate to the Advanced tab in the Performance Options window.Go to Advanced tab to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  4. Click on Change under Virtual memory.Change virtual memory
  5. Untick the checkbox for Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.Disable Automatically manage paging file size for all drives to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  6. Select the drive, check the No paging file option and then click on the Set button.No paging file to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  7. Click Yes on the warning box that appears.Yes
  8. Repeat the process for all drives if they have a page file, and then click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.Click OK windows 11 not using all ram
  9. Finally, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

The page file is a set space on your storage drive that is used to store data temporarily when the RAM (memory) starts to fill up. If there are problems with it, you may notice that Windows 11 is not using all the RAM.

If disabling the page file doesn’t fix the problem, revert the changes you made earlier, since it’s recommended to have a page file set up.

3. Modify the usable RAM

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter System configuration in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.System configuration to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  2. Now, go the Boot tab and click on Advanced options.Boot tab
  3. Tick the checkbox for Maximum memory, enter the installed RAM on your system in the text field underneath, and then click on OK at the bottom.Change maximum memory to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  4. Again, click on OK to save the changes and close the System Configuration window.Save changes
  5. Restart the computer, if prompted.
  6. In case it doesn’t work, uncheck the Maximum memory checkbox in BOOT Advanced Options window, and save the changes.

If your Windows 11 computer isn’t using all RAM, making these modifications in the system configuration can help.

To calculate the value in the text field earlier, check the installed RAM in your system, and multiply it by 1024 to find the value in MB (Megabyte). For instance, your computer has 16 GB RAM, so the value to be entered becomes 16 x 1024 = 16384 MB.

4. Modify the registry

  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.Launch Registry to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  2. Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.Yes
  3. Now, enter the following path in the address bar at the top and then hit Enter. Alternatively, you can navigate the path using the pane on the left:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory ManagementNavigate path
  4. Locate and double-click on the ClearPageFileAtShutdown DWORD to modify its value data.ClearPageFileAtShutdown to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  5. Enter 1 under Value data and click on OK to save the changes.Change value data to fix windows 11 not using all ram
  6. Close the registry, and restart the computer.

5. Enable memory remapping in BIOS

Note icon NOTE
The method to enter the BIOS and its interface are different for every manufacturer. Therefore, we recommend that you check the FAQ or Support section of your OEM’s website for the exact steps. The steps listed below you should give you an idea though.
  1. Restart the computer, hit the F12 key as soon as the diplay lights up to enter the BIOS, navigate to the Advanced tab, and then select the System Agent Configuration option.System agent configuration
  2. Now, select the Memory Remap Feature and Enable it. Enable memory remap feature to fix windows 11 not using all ram

Enabling memory remapping is known to increase the available RAM to Windows on the system. But, the feature is not available on all devices, so do check if you have it before proceeding with the method.

Once done, check if Windows 11 now uses all the available RAM.

6. Rearrange the RAM modules

If you have various slots available, rearranging the RAM modules could help. To do that, turn off the computer, open the back panel, remove the memory modules and change their slots. Check if that fixes the issue.

In case it persists, it might also be that some of the slots are defunct. To verify, plug the same memory module in all the slots and check the available RAM on the system each time.

Also, certain systems require you to arrange the RAM in a certain order when all the slots are not being used. For instance, if you have four slots available but are using only two memory modules, you may be required to use the first and third slots.

7. Take your PC to a repair center

If you have reached this part of the article after executing the methods listed above and the issue persists, it’s likely an issue with the hardware itself.

It could be defunct or malfunctioning slots, issues with the connections, or other similar problems.

Memory (RAM) modules

In such cases, we would recommend taking your PC to a repair center since the components we are dealing with here are fragile and the connections intricate, and any lapse on your part can severely damage the system.

How can I fix the high RAM usage problem in Windows 11?

If the installed RAM is low or you are using too many too programs at once, there’s a chance that the RAM usage becomes high, which will likely be evident through the poor system performance. The programs may lag or freeze, or the system may crash altogether.

But the solutions here are rather simple and it shouldn’t be difficult taking care of the issue. To do that, check our guide that lists out the fixes for the high RAM usage problem.

That’s all there’s to eliminating issues preventing Windows 11 from using all available RAM. Once you are done executing these, the system performance will most likely be a lot better.

In case you are facing the same problem on the previous iteration, check what you should do if Windows 10 is not using all the available RAM.

Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

More about the topics: memory issues, Windows 11