Fix Not Enough Memory Resources Error December 2025

Is your computer showing frustrating error messages about memory resources? You’re not alone. When you see “not enough memory resources are available to complete this operation” or similar warnings, it can stop you from getting work done and cause serious stress.

The good news is that these errors are usually fixable with simple steps you can do yourself, even if you’re not a tech expert. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about fixing memory resource errors, from quick fixes to advanced solutions, so you can get back to using your computer without interruptions.

Quick Overview

• Memory resource errors happen when your computer can’t allocate enough RAM for tasks, even if you have plenty of physical memory installed
• Common causes include insufficient virtual memory settings, corrupted system files, too many background programs, and registry issues
• Most fixes are simple and don’t require technical skills – many can be done in just a few minutes
• Solutions range from basic restarts to adjusting virtual memory settings and running system repair tools
• Prevention tips and regular maintenance can help you avoid these errors in the future

What Causes “Not Enough Memory Resources Are Available” Errors?

Memory resource errors can be confusing, especially when you know your computer has plenty of RAM. Think of your computer’s memory like a workspace. RAM is your main desk where you keep items you’re actively using. When this desk gets too full, your computer needs extra space to work efficiently.

The “not enough memory resources are available” error occurs when Windows cannot allocate enough memory for a specific operation. This can happen even if you have 16GB or more of RAM installed. The error isn’t always about having too little physical memory – it’s often about how that memory is being managed.

Common causes include:

• Virtual memory settings that are too low – Your computer uses hard drive space as extra memory when RAM is full
• Corrupted system files – Important Windows files that manage memory can become damaged
• Too many background programs – Applications running in the background consume memory resources
• Memory leaks – Some programs don’t release memory properly when they’re done using it
• Registry issues – Problems in Windows Registry can affect how memory is allocated
• Driver conflicts – Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause memory management problems

When you encounter a not enough memory resources are available to complete this operation error, it means Windows tried to start a process but couldn’t reserve the necessary memory space. This can happen with any program or system operation, from opening applications to saving files.

How to Fix “Not Enough Memory Resources Are Available to Complete This Operation”?

When you see the not enough memory resources are available to complete this operation error, don’t panic. There are several proven methods to fix this issue, starting with the simplest solutions first.

Method 1: Restart Your Computer

This might sound too simple, but restarting your computer is often the fastest fix. Restarting clears all memory and gives you a fresh start. It’s like cleaning off your entire workspace and beginning fresh.

Method 2: Close Unnecessary Programs

Every open program uses memory, even if it’s minimized. Check your taskbar and close any programs you’re not actively using. You can also check Task Manager to see which programs are using the most memory.

Method 3: Run System File Checker

Corrupted system files can cause memory errors. Windows has a built-in tool that can find and fix these files:

1. Click the Start button and type “cmd”
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”
3. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter
4. Wait for the scan to complete (this might take 15-30 minutes)
5. Restart your computer when it’s done

Method 4: Use DISM to Repair Windows Image

If System File Checker doesn’t solve the problem, you can use DISM to repair the Windows system image:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator
2. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter
3. Wait for the process to complete
4. Restart your computer

These methods work for most cases of not enough memory resources are available fix scenarios. If you’re still seeing the error after trying these solutions, move on to the more advanced methods in the next section.

What Are the Best Ways to Fix “Not Enough Memory Resources to Process This Command”?

The not enough memory resources to process this command error often requires more advanced solutions. This error typically occurs when Windows tries to execute a specific command but cannot allocate the necessary memory resources.

Adjust Virtual Memory Settings

Virtual memory acts as an extension of your RAM. When your computer runs low on physical memory, it uses space on your hard drive as extra memory. If these settings are incorrect, you might see memory errors.

To adjust virtual memory:

1. Right-click on “This PC” and select “Properties”
2. Click on “Advanced system settings”
3. Under the “Advanced” tab, click “Settings” in the Performance section
4. Go to the “Advanced” tab and click “Change” under Virtual memory
5. Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size”
6. Select “Custom size”
7. Set Initial size to 1.5 times your RAM (for example, 12288MB for 8GB RAM)
8. Set Maximum size to 3 times your RAM (for example, 24576MB for 8GB RAM)
9. Click “Set” then “OK”
10. Restart your computer

For detailed guidance on virtual memory settings, check out our complete guide on how much virtual memory you should set.

Clean Temporary Files

Temporary files can build up and cause memory issues. Cleaning these files can often resolve error code not enough memory problems:

1. Press Windows + R and type %temp%
2. Press Ctrl + A to select all files
3. Right-click and select “Delete”
4. Also clean the main temp folder by going to C:\Windows\Temp
5. Delete all files in this folder (you might need to skip some files that are in use)

Modify IRPStackSize Value

The IRPStackSize setting in Windows Registry controls how much memory is allocated for input/output operations. If this value is too low, you might see not enough server memory resources errors:

1. Press Windows + R and type regedit
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters
3. Look for IRPStackSize in the right panel
4. If it doesn’t exist, right-click and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
5. Name it IRPStackSize
6. Double-click IRPStackSize and set the value to a number between 7 and 12
7. Click OK and restart your computer

Warning: Be careful when editing the Registry. Incorrect changes can cause serious problems. Always back up your Registry before making changes.

How Can You Resolve “Error Code Not Enough Memory” on Windows Systems?

Error code not enough memory messages can appear in various situations, from running applications to system operations. These errors often indicate deeper issues with memory management.

Check for Memory-Intensive Applications

Some applications use more memory than they should. To identify these:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click on the “Processes” tab
3. Click “Memory” to sort by memory usage
4. Look for programs using unusually high amounts of memory
5. Right-click on high-memory programs and select “End task”

Update Windows and Drivers

Outdated system files and drivers can cause memory management issues:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
2. Click “Check for updates” and install any available updates
3. For drivers, go to Device Manager (right-click Start button and select it)
4. Look for any devices with yellow warning icons
5. Right-click these devices and select “Update driver”

Run Windows Memory Diagnostic

Windows includes a tool to check for physical memory problems:

1. Press Windows + R and type mdsched
2. Choose “Restart now and check for problems”
3. Your computer will restart and run memory tests
4. After the test, Windows will show the results

This tool can help identify if you’re dealing with actual hardware memory issues rather than software-related not enough memory resources error problems.

Why Do “Not Enough Server Memory Resources” Errors Occur and How to Fix Them?

Not enough server memory resources errors are common in network environments and when connecting to shared resources. These errors often occur when trying to access network drives, printers, or server-based applications.

Network-Related Memory Issues

When you connect to network resources, your computer needs memory to manage the connection. If these resources are overloaded or misconfigured, you might see memory errors.

Server-Side Solutions

If you’re a server administrator, consider these solutions:

1. Increase server RAM capacity
2. Optimize server applications to use memory more efficiently
3. Implement load balancing to distribute memory usage
4. Monitor server memory usage regularly

Client-Side Fixes

For regular users connecting to servers:

1. Disconnect and reconnect to the network resource
2. Restart your computer and the server if possible
3. Clear network cache and credentials
4. Update network drivers

These not enough server memory resources issues often require coordination between users and IT administrators to resolve completely.

What Are the Most Effective Methods to Prevent “Not Enough Memory Resources Error”?

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are the most effective ways to prevent not enough memory resources error from occurring in the first place.

Regular System Maintenance

Keep your system running smoothly with regular maintenance:

1. Restart your computer regularly – Don’t leave your computer running for weeks without restarting
2. Keep Windows updated – Updates often include memory management improvements
3. Run regular virus scans – Malware can cause memory leaks and other issues
4. Clean temporary files weekly – Use Disk Cleanup or third-party tools

Monitor Memory Usage

Keep an eye on your memory usage to catch problems early:

1. Use Task Manager to monitor memory usage
2. Set up performance alerts for high memory usage
3. Use Resource Monitor for detailed memory analysis

Optimize Startup Programs

Too many startup programs can consume memory before you even begin working:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Go to the “Startup” tab
3. Disable programs you don’t need to start automatically
4. Restart your computer to apply changes

For more tips on managing your computer’s memory, check out our guide on adjusting RAM usage in Windows.

How to Troubleshoot “Windows Error Not Enough Memory” on Different Windows Versions?

Windows error not enough memory messages can appear differently across Windows versions, but the underlying causes are often similar. Here’s how to troubleshoot these errors on different Windows versions.

Windows 10 Specific Solutions

Windows 10 has some specific memory management features:

1. Use Storage Sense – Automatically cleans up temporary files
2. Check for memory compression – Windows 10 compresses memory to save space
3. Update specific Windows 10 drivers – Some drivers are Windows 10-specific

Windows 11 Specific Fixes

Windows 11 introduced new memory management features:

1. Check for new memory requirements – Windows 11 has higher minimum requirements
2. Update to the latest Windows 11 version – Early versions had memory management bugs
3. Use the new Task Manager – It provides better memory usage information

Compatibility Considerations

Some older programs might not work well with newer Windows versions:

1. Run older programs in compatibility mode
2. Consider using virtual machines for legacy applications
3. Check for 64-bit versions of 32-bit applications

These solutions should help resolve most windows error not enough memory issues across different Windows versions.

What Should You Do When You See “Not Enough System Memory Available” Warnings?

When you encounter not enough system memory available warnings, it’s important to act quickly to prevent system crashes or data loss.

Immediate Actions

Take these steps immediately when you see the warning:

1. Save your work – Save all open documents and files immediately
2. Close unnecessary programs – Close any programs you’re not actively using
3. Check Task Manager – Look for programs using excessive memory
4. Restart if necessary – If the system becomes unresponsive, restart it

Diagnostic Steps

After addressing the immediate issue, investigate the cause:

1. Check memory usage patterns – When does the error typically occur?
2. Monitor memory over time – Use Task Manager to track memory usage
3. Look for memory leaks – Programs that gradually use more memory over time
4. Check for hardware issues – Use Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

Long-term Solutions

Consider these long-term fixes for recurring not enough system memory available issues:

1. Add more RAM – If your computer supports it, adding RAM is often the best solution
2. Upgrade to a faster hard drive – SSDs can improve virtual memory performance
3. Optimize your workflow – Change how you use programs to reduce memory usage
4. Consider a clean Windows installation – Sometimes a fresh start is needed

If you’re unsure about your computer’s RAM capacity, you can check your maximum RAM capacity to see if an upgrade is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Fixing not enough memory resources are available errors doesn’t have to be complicated. As we’ve explored throughout this guide, most memory resource issues can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps that anyone can follow. Start with the basic solutions like restarting your computer and closing unnecessary programs, then progress to more advanced methods like adjusting virtual memory settings if needed.

Remember that these errors are common and usually fixable. The key is to approach them systematically, trying the simplest solutions first before moving to more complex ones. Regular maintenance and monitoring can help prevent these errors from recurring in the future.

If you’ve tried all the methods in this guide and still experience issues, it might be time to consult with a professional or consider hardware upgrades. However, most users find that the solutions provided here resolve their Fixing Not Enough Memory Resources Are Available problems completely.