Your Computer is low on memory on Windows 10

by Andrew Wafer

Author

December 22, 2020

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One common error issued by the Windows 8 / Windows 8.1/ Windows 10 system (which cannot be fixed using classic troubleshooting processes) is the one that is referring to low virtual memory.

This message is referring to low virtual memory, a problem that can lead to lags and malfunctions on your Windows device, not to mention that is quite stressful to get the same alert over and over again.

Anyway, there are various reasons that can cause the error, so you should read all the guidelines below, before applying the proper troubleshoot solution for your device.

This troubleshooting guide will show you how to fix this annoying issue in the following instances:

• Your computer is low on memory (but it’s not)
  • Many users report that when this alert appears, PC memory actually works correctly. It appears that the computer somehow misinterprets various memory indicators.
• Your computer is low on memory Claymore
  • This cryptocurrency miner apparently uses too much memory, triggering the low memory alerts.
• Your computer is low on memory black screen issues
  • Sometimes, the low memory error also triggers black screen issues, forcing users to reboot their PCs.
• CutePDF Your computer is low on memory alerts
  • CutePDF is a PDF converter that often displays low memory alerts.
  • These messages usually appear when users want to print the converted PDF files.
• Your computer is low on memory Excel
  • Sometimes, saving an Excel file may become a very difficult task due to the low memory error message
• Your computer is low on memory Dying Light, Call of Duty, WoW, and more
  • If you’re a gamer, you have probably encountered this error message quite a few times. Games use large chunks of memory, and for this reason, they often trigger low memory errors.

We hope that the following troubleshooting steps will prove useful in most of the cases listed above if not all.

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How do I fix the Your computer is low on memory error?

1. Run a full system scan
2. Correct system errors
3. Close the programs that are using too much memory
4. Use Windows Troubleshooter
5. Manually increase Virtual Memory
6. Repair your registry
7. Update your OS
8. Check your disk for errors
9. Clean your temporary files and folders
10. Remove recently installed software

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1. Run a full system scan

Some malicious files might prompt you with the Your Computer is low on memory alert. The same programs will then prompt you to download various dedicated software to fix the low memory issue.

Of course, this is nothing but a scam and you shouldn’t download or install anything on your Windows 10 PC.

All you need in this case is a strong antivirus program, as well as an antimalware tool. Perform a full scan of your computer to remove malware.

You can use Windows’ built-in antivirus or third-party antivirus solutions. We recommend Vipre as it is an affordable antivirus solution, but equally reliable, and has a lot of useful features and protection tools.

If virus or malware infection was the initial cause of the problem, then after using a security tool, the low memory pop-up should disappear.

Vipre

Easy-to-use antivirus and adware solution that will eliminate any cyber-attack that might have affect the optimal functioning of your device.

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2. Correct system errors

The safest way is to entrust such sensitive technical issues to a dedicated tool such as IObit Advanced System Care. It’s not just quicker, but also more convenient, instead of you trying to find the reason for the memory error.

IObit has a bunch of different products designed to clean, optimize, update and protect your operating system.

What Advanced System Care does is to deep clean your PC for hidden, unnecessary program leftovers and old registry keys eliminating them, monitor system condition in real-time, and corrects disk errors.

The premium version of the tool also includes defragmentation option, deep clean feature to prevent system crash and RAM cleaning process to free up memory space.

The startup process can be improved by 200% with the Pro version, while also getting a 300% faster Internet browsing speed.

⇒ Get IObit Advanced System Care

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3. Close the programs that are using too much memory

1. Right-click on your desktop and selec Task Manager.

2. Select the Processes tab and click on Memory (Private Working set).

3. Here, remove or end the processes that are using too much memory. This should resolve your problems.

Usually, the “Your Computer is low on memory” error is displayed when there are many processes running or your programs are using too much memory.

In this case, your RAM won’t support all these processes and you will be prompted to make some changes in order to disable some of your programs.

Well, that’s exactly what you should do – of course, remove only the processes that aren’t important for you. As a quick reminder, if you disable a system process, you can damage your OS.

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4. Use Windows Troubleshooter

1. From your Start Screen press Wind + F keyboard keys.
2. In the search box type Troubleshooting.
3. From the Troubleshooting window select View All (located on the left panel) and pick System Maintenance.
4. Tap on “Next” and wait while your Windows 8 system is running the troubleshooting process.

If you want to avoid closing down your programs, you can also use Windows 10‘s built-in troubleshooting tool.

1. Go to Settings > Troubleshoot > scroll down to Find and fix other problems
2. If one of the apps installed on your PC uses to much memory, we recommend running the Windows Store Apps troubleshooting tool. It’s the last one on the list.

In some cases, rare ones, if a program is forcefully closed, or if something isn’t working properly on your Windows device, you might be prompted with the Your computer is low on memory error message.

This is happening because Windows is allocating too much virtual memory to the mentioned process, while your system is trying to fix all the problems.

Anyway, don’t worry as you can resolve these issues by running the System maintenance Troubleshooter as shown above.

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5. Manually increase Virtual Memory

1. Go toStart Screen > type advaced system settings > double click the first result
2. Select the Advanced tab and click Settings under the Performance panel. performance > settings” width=”408″ height=”464″>
3. In the new window, click the Advanced tab again and go to the Virtual Memory panel; from there select Change.
4. Clean the “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” box.
5. Click on Drive (Volume Label) and choose Custom Size.
6. Add a new size in megabytes in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box and then select “Set”.

By increasing your virtual memory, you will be able to resolve the low memory issues or alerts. Of course, you will have to do it manually as there are no apps dedicated to this matter.

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Don’t let a slow computer ruin your mood! Install one of these RAM optimizers!

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6. Repair your registry

1. Go to Start > type cmd > right-click Command Prompt > select Run as Administrator

2. Now type the sfc /scannow command

3. Wait for the scanning process to complete and then restart your computer. All corrupted files will be replaced on reboot.

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7. Update your OS

Make sure that you’re running the latest Windows OS updates on your machine. As a quick reminder, Microsoft constantly rolls out Windows updates in order to improve the system’s stability and fix various issues.

To access the Windows Update section, you can simply type update in the search box.

This method works on all Windows versions. Then go to Windows Update, check for updates and install the available updates.

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8. Check your disk for errors

On Windows 8.1, you can bring up the drive you want to check in File Explorer.

Then, right-click the drive that you want to scan and select Properties. Go to the Tools tab, select Check, and then select Scan Drive.

On Windows 10, you can run a disk check using Command Prompt.

Start Command Prompt as administrator and type the chkdsk C: /f command followed by Enter. Replace C with the letter of your hard drive partition.

As a quick reminder, if you do not use the /f parameter, chkdsk displays a message that the file needs to be fixed, but it does not fix any errors.

The chkdsk D: /f command detects and repairs logical issues affecting your drive. To repair physical issues, run the /r parameter as well.

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Don’t have time for all these steps? Here is the best HDD health check software to do the job for you!

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9. Clean your temporary files and folders

1. Go to Start > type Disk Cleanup > launch the tool

2. Select the disk that you want to clean > the tool will tell you how much space you can free up

3. Select Clean up system files.

If you want to delete temporary files like an expert, don’t hesitate to also check out this exhaustive Disk Cleanup guide.

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10. Remove recently installed software

If you recently installed new software on your computer, try uninstalling it.

Go to Start > type Control Panel > select the program(s) recently added > click Uninstall.

Then restart your computer, and see if the issue has been solved.

Alternatively, you can use an uninstaller tool. As always, we’ve got you covered with the best options!

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These are the best methods to apply when you are dealing with Your Computer is low on memory Windows 10 error.

If you couldn’t fix these issues after using these guidelines, you should consider expanding your RAM. If you have any questions or if you need extra help, leave us a message in the comments field below.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in October 2017 and was revamped and updated in January 2021 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.