How to Fix “Your Computer is Low on Memory” Error on Mac

Understanding Low Memory Warnings on Macs

Are you experiencing a low memory warning on your Mac? This can be frustrating if you are in the middle of an important task, but it is a frequent issue that Mac users face. Understanding what causes this warning and what you can do to fix it is essential if you want to prevent it from happening frequently. In this article, we’ll explain what a low memory warning means, what causes it, and how you can fix it.

One of the most common reasons why Macs display low memory warnings is because the system is running low on RAM. The random access memory (RAM) is the short-term memory that a computer uses to store data that is currently in use. The Mac’s operating system (macOS) reserves a portion of RAM to be available to the system and also allocates some to applications as they need it. As you open more applications, they use up some of this memory, leaving fewer resources for the rest of the applications and the overall system.

When the RAM is nearly full, the system starts using the hard drive space, which slows down the performance of the computer. This is known as virtual memory, and it can cause your Mac to become unresponsive or crash. To prevent this from happening, the macOS displays a low memory warning.

It is essential to understand that a low memory warning doesn’t necessarily mean that the computer doesn’t have enough hard drive space. The hard drive space is the long-term storage that you use to store files, install applications, and keep backups. Running low on this storage won’t usually affect the system’s performance directly. However, if you do not have enough space, your computer’s performance can become slower over time.

The good news is that you can prevent low memory warnings by optimizing your computer’s resources and cleaning up your hard drive. To optimize your memory usage, try closing applications that you are not using or restarting your Mac. Restarting can free up resources that have been reserved by the system for applications that are no longer in use and clear the memory cache. Alternatively, you can also consider installing additional RAM, which can significantly boost your Mac’s performance. You should also check which applications are using the most memory by opening the Activity Monitor app and closing any high-resource applications.

To optimize your hard drive storage, you can use the built-in macOS utilities, such as Disk Utility or macOS Recovery Mode. These tools can help you to identify and remove any unnecessary files or applications and to free up as much space as possible. You can also consider installing a dedicated cleaning app that can help you to find and remove any junk files, old backups, or cached files that may be taking up space.

In conclusion, low memory warnings on Macs are a common occurrence that can be frustrating for users. However, understanding what they mean and what you can do to fix them is essential. By optimizing your computer’s resources and cleaning up your hard drive space, you can prevent these warnings from happening frequently and ensure that your Mac runs smoothly and efficiently.

Clearing Up Disk Space to Free Up Memory

If your Mac is displaying the “Your computer is low on memory” notification, it means that your RAM is almost full, and it can’t handle the workload anymore. The usual solution would be to either close some of your running apps or to reboot your Mac to free up memory. However, you can also try clearing up disk space as an alternative solution.

There are various ways to clear up disk space on your Mac. The most common method is by deleting unnecessary files, such as duplicate and large files, outdated and unused apps, and system junk files. But before doing so, it’s important to check your storage status first to see what’s taking up most of your disk space. You can do this by going to the Apple menu and selecting “About This Mac” and then “Storage”.

Once you’ve determined what’s using up the most storage, you can now start clearing up disk space. Here are some methods that you can try:

1. Delete Duplicate and Large Files

Duplicate and large files can take up your disk space, especially if you have a lot of media files. You can either manually search for them on your Finder or use a dedicated app to scan and remove them on your behalf. Some popular apps for this purpose are Gemini 2 and Disk Drill.

2. Clear Out System Junk Files

System junk files are temporary files that are created by the operating system and your apps. Over time, these files can accumulate and take up unnecessary space on your disk. To clear them out, you can use the built-in app, Disk Utility. Simply go to the “First Aid” tab, select your disk, and click “Run” to scan and fix any issues. You can also use a third-party app, such as CleanMyMac X and CCleaner, for a more comprehensive cleaning process.

3. Uninstall Unused Apps

If you have apps that you no longer use or need, it’s best to uninstall them to free up some space. You can do this by simply dragging them to the trash bin or using an uninstaller app, such as AppCleaner and CleanMyMac X. These apps will not only remove the app itself but also its associated files and folders.

4. Reduce Clutter on Desktop and Downloads Folder

The Desktop and Downloads folder can easily get cluttered with files and folders, causing your disk space to shrink. To prevent this, you can create a folder for your files or use the Stacks feature on your desktop to group related files together. You can also set up rules on your Downloads folder to automatically sort and delete files that you no longer need.

5. Empty Trash Bin

Lastly, don’t forget to empty your trash bin regularly. Deleted files are still stored in your trash bin, taking up valuable space. To permanently delete them, simply right-click on your trash bin and select “Empty Trash”.

Clearing up disk space can help free up memory on your Mac, allowing it to perform better and faster. It’s important to do this regularly to prevent your disk from getting full in the future. Additionally, you can also consider upgrading your RAM or using an external hard drive for extra storage if needed.

Using Activity Monitor to Identify Memory Hogs

If you have discovered that your Mac is low on memory, it is essential to find out what is consuming the most memory on your system. One of the easiest ways to identify memory hogs on your Mac is by using the Activity Monitor feature. This tool will help you find out which applications or processes are taking up the most memory on your Mac, which might be causing your computer to slow down or crash frequently.

Activity Monitor is a useful tool for all Mac users as it provides an overview of the resources being used, including CPU usage, energy usage, network connectivity, and, most importantly, memory usage. To use Activity Monitor to identify memory hogs on your Mac, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Access the Activity Monitor Tool

The first step to identifying memory hogs on your Mac using Activity Monitor is to access the tool. You can access Activity Monitor by searching for it in the Spotlight search. Once you launch Activity Monitor, you’ll see a screen that looks like this:

As you can see in the screenshot above, Activity Monitor provides a detailed overview of all the processes and applications currently running on your Mac.

Step 2: Sort Processes by Memory Usage

Once you have opened the Activity Monitor tool, you will need to sort all running processes by memory usage. To do this, click on the “Memory” tab at the top of the Activity Monitor window.

Sorting the processes by memory usage will help you determine which applications or processes are consuming the most memory on your Mac. As you can see in the screenshot above, the biggest memory hogs are listed at the top of the list.

Step 3: Identify and Close Memory-Intensive Apps and Processes

After sorting the processes by memory usage, it’s time to identify the memory-intensive applications and processes that are consuming too much memory. In most cases, large memory hogs will be apps or processes that you are not currently using or have not used in a while. To free up memory on your Mac, you need to close these apps or processes.

Keep in mind that some memory-intensive apps and processes are critical to your system’s performance, such as the operating system itself or a security feature. These processes should not be closed as they may cause system instability.

To quit a memory-intensive application or process, select the process and click the “Quit Process” button at the top left of the Activity Monitor window.

Once you have identified and closed the memory-intensive apps and processes, you should notice a significant improvement in your Mac’s performance and stability. Repeat this process regularly to ensure that your Mac has sufficient memory resources available at all times.

Using Activity Monitor is an effective way to identify and close memory-intensive apps and processes that might be causing your Mac to slow down or crash frequently. By following the three steps outlined above, you can free up memory on your Mac and ensure optimal system performance.

Adjusting Virtual Memory to Increase Memory Capacity

If you are a Mac user and you find yourself in the middle of a task and your computer displays the message that your computer is low on memory, you might be tempted to throw in the towel. As frustrating as this message can be, it is nothing to worry about because there are ways to fix it. One of the most effective solutions to this issue is adjusting the virtual memory to increase memory capacity.

Virtual memory is the amount of space that is reserved on your hard drive to temporarily store data that would otherwise have been stored in the RAM. Whenever you run out of RAM, your computer utilizes virtual memory to run applications and perform tasks. The virtual memory is created through a combination of your computer’s RAM and hard drive space and can be adjusted to increase memory capacity. Here are some steps to adjust the virtual memory on your Mac:

Step 1: Check Your Computer’s Memory Usage

The first thing you need to do is check your Mac’s memory usage. To do this, open “Activity Monitor” by typing “activity monitor” into Spotlight or searching for it in the “Applications” folder. In the “Memory” or “System Memory” tab, you will be able to see the memory usage. Keep an eye on the “Memory Pressure” graph that shows how much memory your Mac is using and how much it has left. This will give you a good idea of how much virtual memory you should set up.

Step 2: Adjust Virtual Memory

Once you have an idea of how much virtual memory you need, go to “System Preferences” and click on the “Memory” tab. Look for the “Virtual Memory” section and click on “Change.” You will need to enter your administrator password to change the settings. In the “Virtual Memory” section, select “Custom Size,” and enter the amount of virtual memory you need. Be sure to set it to a size that works for you, but don’t exceed your hard drive’s capacity.

Step 3: Save and Reboot

After adjusting the virtual memory, click “OK,” and save the changes. Close all applications, and then reboot your computer. This will allow macOS to manage the virtual memory accordingly.

Tips for Optimizing Your Virtual Memory Settings

Adjusting virtual memory can be an effective way to increase your computer’s memory capacity, but it is not a magic bullet. Here are some tips to optimize your virtual memory settings:

1. Avoid Setting Too Large Virtual Memory

While you might think that setting up a large amount of virtual memory is the solution to all your memory problems, it’s not. Overburdening your hard drive with too much virtual memory might have adverse effects on your computer’s performance because it could make your device sluggish and slow.

2. Quit Unused Apps

The more apps you have running, the more memory your computer uses. You can free up more memory by quitting applications you are not using.

3. Free Up Disk Space

If your hard drive is running low on space, your computer’s performance might be hindered. Therefore, consider deleting files you don’t need or moving them onto an external hard drive to free up space for virtual memory.

4. Upgrade Your RAM

If all else fails, upgrading your RAM might be the ultimate solution. You can replace your old RAM with new, more efficient memory modules that suit your computer’s needs. Upgrading RAM is a long-term solution that will improve your computer’s performance and reduce virtual memory usage.

In conclusion, virtual memory is an essential part of your computer’s performance. When you are running out of memory, increasing virtual memory is an effective way to keep your computer running smoothly. Nevertheless, try all other options, such as quitting applications you are not using, or deleting unwanted files before opting to adjust virtual memory settings. When you find yourself in a pinch, adjusting your computer’s virtual memory settings is an excellent way to increase memory capacity and keep your computer running stably.

Upgrading Your Mac’s RAM to Avoid Low Memory Issues

If you’re someone who’s constantly using their Mac for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, or even gaming, then you might have come across the “Your computer is low on memory” warning. This message can be incredibly frustrating and can even affect your productivity and workflow. Fortunately, there’s a way to fix this issue, and that’s by upgrading your Mac’s RAM.

RAM or Random Access Memory is essentially the short-term memory of your computer. Whenever you’re running a program, it stores the data and information on the RAM for quick and easy access. The more RAM you have, the more programs and applications you can run at once, and the smoother and faster your computer runs overall.

If you’re unsure whether your Mac’s RAM needs an upgrade, simply go to “About This Mac” and click on “Memory.” Here, you’ll see how much RAM your computer currently has and whether or not an upgrade is necessary.

Before we dive into the steps on how to upgrade your Mac’s RAM, it’s important to note that not all Mac models are upgradeable. For example, MacBook Pro models that were released after 2012 have soldered RAM, which means they cannot be upgraded. It’s best to check your Mac model and ensure it can be upgraded before continuing with the steps.

Step 1: Buy the Right RAM

The first step in upgrading your Mac’s RAM is by purchasing the right components. You can easily find compatible RAM modules online, but it’s essential to choose the right one for your Mac model. You can find this information on Apple’s website or by using a system scanner tool like Crucial or OWC.

It’s also important to note that not all RAMs are created equal. Some offer faster speeds and performance, but they also come with a higher price tag. If you’re someone who uses demanding applications frequently, then it might be worth investing in a higher-end RAM module.

Step 2: Turn Off Your Mac and Unplug It

The second step is to turn off your Mac and unplug it from the power source. This is a crucial step to ensure your safety and prevent any damage to your computer during the installation process.

Step 3: Remove the Bottom Case

Next, you’ll need to remove the bottom case of your Mac. This varies depending on your Mac model, but you can easily find tutorials and guides online for your specific model.

Step 4: Remove Old RAM and Install New Ones

Once you’ve removed the bottom case, you’ll be able to see the RAM modules on your Mac’s logic board. Depending on your model, you might need to remove some screws or clips to release the old RAM modules.

It’s important to handle the RAM sticks carefully and avoid touching the gold connectors with your bare hands. The oil and dirt from your fingers can interfere with the RAM’s performance.

After you’ve removed the old RAM sticks, gently insert the new ones into the slots and make sure they’re securely in place.

Step 5: Put the Bottom Case Back On, and Turn on Your Mac

The final step is to put the bottom case back on and turn on your Mac. If everything goes smoothly, your Mac should recognize the new RAM modules installed automatically.

You can double-check this by going to “About This Mac” and checking the memory section. If the new memory is recognized, you should see the updated RAM capacity listed.

Upgrading your Mac’s RAM is a cost-effective and practical way to avoid low memory issues and improve your computer’s overall performance. As long as you have the right components and follow the installation steps carefully, you should be able to upgrade your RAM successfully.