Alex Ruben
How to Fix Google Chrome’s “Ran Out of Memory” Error by Adjusting Virtual Memory in Windows
Google Chrome is a powerful browser, but it can be a heavy resource user, leading to errors like “Ran Out of Memory” or the frustrating “Aw Snap” message. This guide will walk you through adjusting the virtual memory settings in Windows to resolve these issues and improve Chrome’s performance. By following these steps, you can help ensure smoother browsing experiences and reduce unexpected crashes.
Before you begin, ensure you are using a Windows operating system (Windows 10 or Windows 11) and have administrative privileges to make system changes. No additional software is required for this process.
Step 1: Access Advanced System Settings
First, you need to access the advanced system settings on your Windows PC. To do this:
- Click on the Start menu or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Type Advanced system settings into the search bar.
- From the search results, select View advanced system settings.
Step 2: Open Performance Settings
A small window titled System Properties will appear. From here, follow these steps:
- Make sure you are on the Advanced tab.
- Under the Performance section, click on the Settings button.
Step 3: Modify Virtual Memory Settings
The Performance Options window will open. Here’s how to adjust the virtual memory settings:
- Navigate to the Advanced tab within the Performance Options.
- Look for the Virtual memory section and click on Change.
- Uncheck the box that says Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- Select the option for Custom size.
Step 4: Set Custom Page File Size
Now, you need to set the initial and maximum size for the page file:
- For Initial size, enter
1024 MB(1 GB). This is the minimum recommended size. - For Maximum size, you can also enter
1024 MB. Adjust this value based on your system’s needs, but this should suffice for most users.
Step 5: Apply Changes and Restart Your Computer
After entering the values, click OK to apply the changes. Close all remaining windows and restart your computer for the settings to take effect.
Step 6: Verify the Fix and Optimize Chrome
Once your computer has restarted, open Google Chrome and check if the error persists. If the adjustments were successful, you should notice improved performance. Consider the following best practices to further optimize Chrome’s memory usage:
- Limit the number of open tabs.
- Disable unnecessary extensions that may consume additional resources.
- Regularly clear your browser cache and cookies.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are some additional tips to enhance your experience:
- If you continue to experience memory issues, consider increasing the virtual memory size beyond
1024 MB, depending on your system’s specifications. - Keep your Google Chrome updated to benefit from performance improvements and bug fixes.
Conclusion
By adjusting the virtual memory settings in Windows, you can effectively resolve the “Ran Out of Memory” error in Google Chrome. This simple yet impactful change can lead to a more stable browsing experience. For further assistance with Chrome or Windows, consider exploring additional troubleshooting guides available online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is virtual memory and why is it important?
Virtual memory allows your computer to use hard drive space to simulate additional RAM. This helps improve performance when your physical RAM is low, especially for memory-intensive applications like browsers.
How often should I adjust my virtual memory settings?
Adjust your virtual memory settings if you frequently encounter memory-related errors or if you upgrade your RAM. Regularly checking can help maintain optimal performance.
Can I set a higher maximum size for virtual memory?
Yes, you can set a higher maximum size as needed, especially if you run memory-intensive applications. However, make sure to monitor your system’s performance and storage space as well.