How to Fix Chrome ‘Not Enough Memory’ Error

Understanding the Chrome ‘Not Enough Memory’ Error

The “Chrome not enough memory” error can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of important work. This error, often seen as “Chrome ran out of memory” or “Chrome memory error,” typically occurs when the browser consumes more RAM than available. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve these issues across various platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Quick Fixes to Try First

• Close Unnecessary Tabs: Each open tab consumes memory. Try closing tabs you don’t need.
• Restart Chrome: Simply restarting Chrome can clear temporary glitches and free up memory.
• Clear Cache and Cookies: Select More > Delete browsing data.

Reducing Open Tabs

Having multiple tabs open can quickly deplete RAM resources. Consider the following steps to manage your tabs better:

• Use Tab Groups: Group tabs by topic and collapse them when not in use.
• Extensions: An extension like OneTab can collapse your open tabs into a single list.

Closing Resource-Heavy Extensions

Extensions can be resource-intensive. Disable any non-essential extensions by following these steps:

1. Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Extensions > Manage Extensions.
3. Review and toggle off or remove extensions that you do not need.

Increasing Virtual Memory (Windows)

Increasing your system’s virtual memory can help alleviate memory issues:

1. Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl and press Enter to open System Properties.
2. In the Advanced tab, click on Settings under the Performance section.
3. Go to the Advanced tab and click Change under Virtual memory.
4. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
5. Select your drive and choose Custom size. Enter initial and maximum sizes, then click Set.
6. Restart your computer to apply changes.

Using Chrome Memory Saver

Chrome’s Memory Saver frees memory by making tabs you aren’t using inactive. It is a normal setting, not a flag:

1. Paste chrome://settings/performance into the address bar and press Enter, or select More > Settings > Performance.
2. Turn Memory Saver on.
3. Choose Moderate, Balanced (recommended) or Maximum, as described in Google’s help page Personalize Chrome performance.

64-bit Chrome vs 32-bit

Running the 64-bit version of Chrome can offer better performance and stability:

1. Paste chrome://settings/help into the address bar.
2. Check the version line: 64-bit Chrome shows (64-bit) after the version number.
3. If you are on a 32-bit version on 64-bit Windows, download the 64-bit installer from our Chrome for Windows page.
4. Install the 64-bit version for improved memory management.

Platform-Specific Solutions

Windows

In addition to increasing virtual memory, consider the following:

• Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Windows Task Manager and end programs that use a lot of memory. Inside Chrome, Shift + Esc opens Chrome’s own Task Manager, which shows memory per tab and extension.

macOS

Mac users can monitor memory usage through:

• Activity Monitor: Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities and check for high-memory processes.

Linux

On Linux, use the following command in the terminal to check memory usage:

free -m

This command provides a snapshot of memory usage, helping identify resource-heavy applications.

Android & iOS

For mobile devices, consider these tips:

• Close Background Apps: Ensure that no unnecessary apps are running in the background.
• Update Chrome: Always keep your Chrome browser updated to the latest version.

Conclusion

Addressing Chrome memory errors requires a combination of managing tabs, extensions, and system resources. By following these steps, you can optimize Chrome’s performance and minimize memory-related issues. For more detailed guidance, refer to Google Chrome Help articles. Remember, keeping your browser and system updated is crucial for maintaining optimal performance.