macOS users, are you plagued by the dreaded "Your system has run out of application memory" error? This frustrating message halts productivity, but help is here! This article offers quick and effective solutions to reclaim memory and banish this error. Learn how to identify memory hogs, optimize your system, and prevent future occurrences, getting you back to work smoothly. Let's fix this!
Methods: Force Quit Memory-Hogging Apps
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Monitor Memory Usage
- Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor).
- Click the 'Memory' tab and check the 'App Memory' at the bottom.
- Identify apps consuming excessive memory.
Monitor Memory Usage -
Force Quit Memory-Hogging Apps
- Select the app and click the 'X' to quit it.
Force Quit Memory-Hogging Apps
Tips
- Alternatively, use the force quit menu (Option + Command + Esc) to quit unresponsive apps.
Methods: Free Up Disk Space
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Check and Manage Application Memory
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Free Up Disk Space
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Manage Browser Tabs
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Restart Your Mac
Tips
- Click the info button next to each storage category for detailed information.
Methods: Close Unnecessary Browser Tabs
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Bookmark Important Tabs
- Bookmark tabs you need and close the rest.
- In Safari, click the share button and choose 'Add Bookmark'.
- In Chrome, click the star icon to bookmark pages.
Bookmark Important Tabs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Ignoring Low Memory Warnings
Reason: Dismissing macOS's low memory warnings can lead to application crashes and the 'Your system has run out of application memory' error because the system doesn't have enough resources to operate effectively.
Solution: Close unnecessary applications and restart your Mac to free up memory.
2. Running Too Many Resource-Intensive Apps Simultaneously
Reason: Opening numerous memory-hungry programs (e.g., video editors, games, virtual machines) at once overwhelms the system's available RAM, resulting in the error message.
Solution: Prioritize the applications you need and close any unnecessary ones.
3. Failing to Update macOS and Apps
Reason: Outdated software might contain bugs or inefficiencies that consume more memory than necessary, increasing the likelihood of the error.
Solution: Keep your macOS and applications updated to their latest versions.
FAQs
Why does my Mac run out of application memory?
This error usually happens when an application tries to use more RAM than is available. This can be due to a memory-intensive app, too many apps running simultaneously, or a memory leak within an application.
Will restarting my Mac always fix the 'out of application memory' error?
Restarting often solves the problem temporarily by freeing up RAM. However, if the issue persists, it indicates a deeper problem with an app or your system's resources.
My Mac is relatively new, and has plenty of RAM. Why am I still getting this error?
Even with plenty of RAM, a single memory-intensive application, a poorly coded application with memory leaks, or background processes consuming significant resources can lead to this error. Consider closing unnecessary apps or checking for updates/reinstalling problematic ones.