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.
To determine how much memory (also known as RAM) is in your computer, open the System window. To open the System window and view your memory, press Win+Break on your keyboard. See the following figure. Review the System window to determine how much memory is in your computer. The amount of memory appears right beneath. Files which you delete are automatically sent to the Recycle Bin rather than being fully removed from your computer. These files still use storage space. Emptying the Recycle Bin will permanently delete these files and will create more free space on your hard drive. Follow these steps to empty the recycle bin. Free up memory space on a computer by selecting the task manager feature to access a list of running PC programs and information on CPU usage, before deletin. In Windows, open the 'Start' menu and navigate to 'Accessories.' Scroll down to 'System Tools' and click 'Disk Defragmenter.' Select your hard drive from the list (if Windows has not automatically done so), then click 'Defragment' to begin the process.
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)
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
How To Free Up More Memory On My Computer
- 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
How To Clean Up Memory On My Computer
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 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)
- 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
Summary :
How to get more RAM on laptop? How to add RAM to a laptop? How to increase RAM on laptop? How to upgrade RAM on laptop? If you are search these online, this post may help you. In this post, MiniTool shows you how to upgrade the RAM and offers you methods on how to free up RAM on laptop.
Quick Navigation :
When the RAM is insufficient, your laptop may slow down or encounter BSOD problem. Therefore, you should learn how to get more RAM on laptop. There are two ways for you increase RAM on laptop:
- Free up RAM on laptop.
- Laptop RAM upgrade.
How to Upgrade RAM on Laptop
Laptop RAM upgrade is the most effective way to increase RAM on laptop. But you should determine first whether you should add RAM, and whether you can do that.
Check whether you should add RAM:
- Type 'system info' into the Windows search box.
- Click System Information App from the result list.
- Scroll down to find Installed Physical Memory (RAM) and you can know the RAM size in your laptop.
If the RAM is below 8GB, I recommend you to upgrade it. If the RAM equals or is more than 8GB, you can choose to free up the RAM.
This post explains why you need more RAM and whether 8GB of RAM is enough for computer in 2020.
Check whether you can add RAM:
Step 1: Check OS version.
- Open File Explorer.
- Right click This PC and choose Properties. In the System window, you can check whether the OS is 32-bit or 64-bit. If it is 32-bit, you can't upgrade the RAM to more than 4GB.
Step 2: Check whether the RAM is sealed in the motherboard or there is an extra RAM slot. This needs you to open the panel.
Purchase a RAM:
If you are sure you can upgrade RAM, you then should purchase a RAM. If there is only one RAM slot, you should replace the old RAM with a larger one. If there are two RAM slots, you should buy a RAM same to the old one, otherwise the old and new RAMs may be incompatible. Anyway, you may want to know the model of the old RAM. Here is the way:
- Press 'Windows + R' keys simultaneously.
- In the Run box, type 'cmd' and then hit Enter.
- In the Command Prompt window, type 'wmic' and hit Enter.
- Type 'memorychip' and hit Enter. Then, you will know the memory's information, including capacity, clock speed (this can indicate whether it is DDR3 or DDR 4), data width, interface (like DIMM), serial number, etc.
What type of RAM do I have? A great many users are confused about this question. In today’s article, you will get 2 methods to check RAM type in Windows 10.
How to add RAM to a laptop:
- Turn off your laptop and unplug the power adapter.
- Open the panel on the bottom of your laptop covering the memory banks.
- If there is only one RAM slot, you should remove the old RAM (please note there are clips on both sides of the RAM and you need to pull them away). If there is an extra RAM slot, you can skip this step.
- Insert the new module into the RAM slot at a 45-degree angle, with the gold edges facing down.
- Push the RAM into place and make sure it is well held by clips.
How to Free up RAM on Laptop
If you can't get more RAM on laptop by adding RAM, you may want to know how to increase RAM on laptop without RAM upgrade. Then, you can free up RAM on laptop. As for how to do that, there are the ways:
- Restart the computer.
- Uninstall or disable software.
- Increase virtual memory.
If you want to know the detailed steps and more methods on freeing up the RAM, please read the following post:
This article explains what high memory usage is and how to check it. It also gives 11 methods to fix Windows 10 high memory usage caused by most common reasons.