How to Resolve Your Computer is Low on Memory on Windows 11

Are you getting the pop-up Your computer is low on memory on Windows 11?

You may have noticed that people generally check the specs of a computer before purchasing it and their prime focus is on the system’s RAM. It is a temporary memory bank for programs so that they retrieve data quickly when running.

It provides easy access to the processors so that they don’t dig into the vast long-term memory and, in turn, provides you with fast performance. But since it’s not unlimited, you may at one time have to encounter the notification Your computer is low on memory on Windows 11.

Most of the time, this can be resolved by freeing up space or running a few tools, as explained below. But occasionally, a malware attack can be the culprit behind this issue, giving you false alerts. Read on to find out what you can do to resolve the error.

So let’s begin!

1. Disable Background Apps.

It’s important to know that the app in use is not the app that’s taking up your RAM. The programs running in the background also consume resources and use your computer’s memory. Thus we recommend you close all background apps to resolve the error temporarily.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Start by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys from your keyboard to open Task Manager. 
2. Go to the Processes tab from the left pane. 
3. Now, click on the Memory tab to sort programs in a decreasing order of RAM consumption.
4. Click on an unwanted app and select End Task from the top bar to disable it. 

5. Perform the same steps to disable all the unnecessary programs.  

This will resolve your computer’s low on memory on Windows 11 issue for the time being while you look at the matter.

2. Manage Unnecessary Programs.

When your system boots up, it automatically loads all drivers, services, and startup apps. While you cannot remove any drivers or services for properly functioning your computer, startup apps can be disabled. We recommend you do so as they unnecessarily run in the background, consuming a large chunk of your system’s memory.

3. Use Disk Cleanup Tool.

Disk Cleanup is an in-built utility developed by Microsoft that aims to free up device storage. This maintenance utility scans your computer for temp and cache files you no longer need, along with deleted items in the recycle bin. It then displays a list of all identified items so you can decide what to keep and discard forever.

Below are the steps you need to follow:

1. Go to the Start menu and click on the search bar.
2. Type ‘disk cleanup’ in the search bar and open the same from the search results. 
3. Choose a drive that you wish to clear and click on OK. 
4. Check all the boxes under the Files to delete section. 
5. Once done, click on OK. 

6. From the prompt that appears, select Delete Files. 
   
   

4. Perform CHKDSK.

In case Your computer is low on memory on Windows 11 is merely an error of the hard disk, running the CHKDSK scan on it will resolve it in no time. It will run a scan on your Windows system for any corrupted drive data and repair it if found.

To do so, follow these simple steps:

1. Launch the Start menu and type ’cmd’ in the search bar. 
2. From the right screen of Command Prompt in search results, click on Run as administrator. 

3. Now, type in the following command and press the Enter key:

chkdsk C: /f

4. Finally, reboot your PC and check if your computer is low on memory on Windows 11 error is still appearing. 
   
   

5. Increase Virtual Memory.

Upon RAM shortages, Windows develops a page file to act as your computer’s virtual memory. In fact, this common technique is adopted by most operating systems to overcome storage issues by utilizing both hardware and software components to transfer data from RAM to disk temporarily.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open the Start menu and type ‘view advanced system settings’ in the search bar. 
2. Now, click the same from the search results to open it. 

3. Go to the Advanced tab from the top and click on the Settings button from the Performance section. 

4. From the new window that opens, head to the Advanced tab and select the Change button. 

5. Uncheck the box for Automatically manage paging file size for all drivers. 

6. After that, enter values for Initial size (MB) and Maximum size (MB) under Custom size. 
   
7. Then, click on Set and select OK. 

8. Lastly, reboot your computer to apply these changes. 
   
   

6. Perform a Malware Scan.

As mentioned earlier, Your computer is low on memory on Windows 11 can also result from malware attacks. They take up huge space on your memory drive, leading to storage issues on your PC.

While Windows offers built-in antivirus programs to protect you from such malware attacks and purge them in case they find a way into the system, you can also use several third-party programs. 

Use the instructions below to do so:

1. First, download the Malwarebytes program on your PC. 
2. From the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard window, select Install.

3. After installing the app, open it up and click on the Scan button from the bottom. 

4. Once the scan is complete, choose Quarantine. 
   
   

7. Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter.

The System Maintenance Troubleshooter is another one of Windows built-in utilities that detects any maintenance issues in your computer and fixes them afterward. It also removes unnecessary files and shortcuts to free up space.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Launch the Start menu and type in ‘control panel’ in the search bar. 
2. Then, choose Control Panel to open it. 

3. From the top right corner, change View by to Large icons. 
4. Afterward, select Troubleshooting. 

5. From the System and Security, click on Run maintenance tasks. 

6. Finally, follow the on-screen prompts to run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter to detect and fix your problem. 
   
   

8. Reinstall Apps With High RAM Usage.

Sometimes, a program may fail to release RAM correctly, which inflates the system’s memory usage to an extent where you start receiving the pop-up Your computer is low on memory on Windows 11. This memory leak issue can be easily fixed by simply reinstalling the responsible program. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. From the Task Manager, click on the Processes tab. 
2. Next, click on the Memory tab to sort out the programs according to the highest RAM utilization. 
3. Click on an unwanted program and select End Task from the top to disable its background activity. 
4. Now, press Win + R keys from your keyboard to open the Run command box. 
5. Type in ‘appwiz.cpl’ in the search bar and click on OK. 
6. From the Programs and Features window that appears, select the program that you want to delete and click on Uninstall. 

9. Use Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool.

When your computer runs low on memory, it will compromise the installed programs and their functionality and the overall system performance. The Windows Memory Diagnostics tool comes in pretty handy in such situations as it detects any potential errors in your RAM and rectifies them in the process.

Here’s how to do it:

1. From the Start menu, type ‘windows tools’ in the search bar and choose the same from the results. 

2. Once the Windows Tools window opens, click on Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
3.  Now, select Restart now and check for problems (recommended). 

4. Your PC will restart and scan your computer to check for any RAM problems. 
   
   

10. Upgrade Your RAM.

If you’re constantly adding more files and applications to your computer, your disk space will eventually run out. In that case, if none of the methods we explained above have worked in getting rid of the low memory issue, it’s time to upgrade your RAM.

This brings us to the end of our guide on how to resolve your computer is low on memory on Windows 11. If you have more queries, feel free to ask us through the comment section below. We’ll respond to you as soon as we can.

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