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    Fix “Your System Has Run Out of Application Memory” [2024 Guide]


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      Summary: Did you know "Your system has run out of application memory" is one of the most common issues that can happen to your Mac? You might have noticed that the computer is running slower than usual, or the problem may have occurred after upgrading your macOS to the latest macOS Monterey. Let's find out the possible reasons and how to fix the given error. But before we start, make sure you have the Stellar Data Recovery app on your Mac to prevent any data loss.

      Common Reasons for “Your System Has Run Out of Application Memory” Issue 

      When your Mac’s system runs out of application memory, it can’t deal with many active processes. Let’s take a look at some of the possible causes of the problem.

      I. Too Many Apps Running

      Nobody is a stranger to running multiple apps at the same time. However, having too many active apps and the ones in the background will take up more and more RAM, eventually resulting in the “Your system has run out of application memory” error. Keep an eye on the apps and quit the ones you don’t need at the moment.

      II. Unneeded Browser Extensions

      Some extensions can affect the performance of your browser, and it may also lead to your Mac running out of RAM, slowdowns, and the “Your system is out of application memory” message popping up on your screen. Try to minimize the number of browser extensions you use and open fewer tabs simultaneously to save memory and CPU resources.

      III. macOS Monterey Bug

      If you’re running macOS Monterey and getting the “Your system is out of application memory” error, make sure you’ve installed the most recent version that fixes the issue.

      Related reading: macOS Monterey Update: Recent Problems And Fixes

      How to Fix the “Your System Has Run Out of Application Memory” Error?

      I. Force Quit Unneeded Applications

      macOS automatically open the Force Quit dialogue window when the “Your system has run out of application memory” error occurs.

      When it happens, just click on Force Quit near the application that uses most of the Mac memory.

      Force Quit Applications window
      Force Quit Applications window

      Another way to Force Quit applications is to do it yourself using the Activity Monitor:

      1. Open Finder.
      Open Finder
      Open Finder
      1. Open the Utilities folder and choose Activity Monitor.
      Utilities Folder
      Utilities Folder
      1. Under the Memory tab, select the application that you want to force quit, and click the Quit button.
      Activity Monitor
      Activity Monitor

      II. Restart Your Mac

      The easiest way to free up RAM and fix the problem is to restart your Mac. Restarting allows your system to shut down all system processes and clean up RAM properly. 

      However, constant restarting may be annoying as it makes you quit all the processes. Besides, it might be time-consuming, especially when you have a video call in a few minutes and your Mac is lagging. 

      That’s why there is another option for clearing RAM. Use the commands in Terminal:

      1. Open Terminal.
      2. Type sudo purge command and press Enter.
      3. Enter the admin password (the one you are using when turning on the Mac) and press Enter again. 
      Terminal
      Terminal
      1. Your RAM will be cleared.

      III. Uninstall Browser Extensions

      Browser extensions are really helpful for easy navigation. However, having too many useless or outdated extensions can lead to the “Your system has run out of application memory” message error on Mac. Deleting the ones you don’t use or need may help the situation.

      Let’s find out how to remove extensions from the most used browsers— Safari and Chrome. 

      Uninstall extensions from Safari: 

      1. Open Safari > go to Safari Preferences.
      Open Safari Preferences
      Open Safari Preferences
      1. Open the Extensions tab.
      1. Look through the extensions and remove unknown or unneeded ones by clicking Uninstall.
      Safari - Extensions tab
      Safari – Extensions tab

      How to uninstall extensions from Chrome:

      1. In Google Chrome, click on the three dots icon and choose Settings.
      Open Chrome settings
      Open Chrome settings
      1. Open the Extensions menu.
      1. Look through the extensions and remove unknown or unneeded ones by clicking Remove.
      Chrome - Extensions tab
      Chrome – Extensions tab

      IV. Uninstall Unneeded Apps

      Uninstalling applications is another way to reduce Mac memory usage. We install Mac apps just to test and then completely forget about them, or we still keep the apps that have only been used once or twice. Often they launch once you turn on your Mac, slowing down the system. Consequently, “Your system is out of application memory” may pop up.

      To delete an app from your Mac to fix Mac running out of application memory issue, follow these steps:

      1. Open Finder and go to the Application folder.
      Finder - Applications folder
      Finder – Applications folder
      1. Find the unnecessary or unknown apps and right-click on them.
      1. Choose the Move to Trash option.
      Move an app on Mac to Trash
      Move an app on Mac to Trash
      1. Empty the Trash if you’d like to delete them permanently.

      V. Update Apps

      Outdated apps may cause your Mac to run out of Application memory. That’s why keeping a habit of updating apps is a good one to adopt:

      1. Open the App Store app.
      2. Click Updates. 
      3. Choose the apps from the list > click either Update. Alternatively, click Update All if you want to update all your apps at once. 
      App Store > Updates tab
      App Store > Updates tab

      VI. Update macOS

      Finally, it’s always good to watch for macOS updates. You can fix most bugs on Mac with a macOS update. If the upgrade causes the problem, Apple will usually provide a fix as soon as possible.

      To update macOS to the latest version:

      1. Select System Preferences from the Apple menu in the upper right corner of your screen.
      Apple Logo - System Preferences
      Apple Logo – System Preferences
      1. Choose Software Update.
      System Preferences - Software Update
      System Preferences – Software Update
      1. Click Upgrade Now
      Software Update - Upgrade Now
      Software Update – Upgrade Now

      VII. Upgrade Your RAM

      Your RAM defines your Mac’s performance, thus affecting the number of apps you may run simultaneously. If you think your RAM is not enough for your daily routine, you may think of upgrading it. 

      To check if you have an opportunity to replace the RAM, follow these steps: 

      1. Click on Apple menu > About This Mac, then choose Memory.
      2. To see the instructions on how to upgrade the RAM, click on Memory Upgrade Instructions.
      About This Mac - Memory tab
      About This Mac – Memory tab

      Note: It works with those Mac computers where RAM is removable and not integrated into the motherboard. Go to the official Apple website, and find your Mac model to see if you can replace the RAM.

      Wrapping Up

      Mac acting up and showing error messages can happen basically to anyone. The solutions provided above will help you reduce Mac memory usage and prevent the problem “Your system has run out of application memory” from recurring. Keep in mind these simple rules: quit the apps you don’t need, remove unknown and unnecessary extensions and software, and keep macOS up to date.

      FAQ

      How to Check What Application Takes the Most Mac Memory?

      You can check the application memory on Mac using the Activity Monitor: 

      • Click the Application folder > Utilities > Activity Monitor > Memory

      There is a memory pressure box in the Memory menu. It displays information about memory usage. There’s also a graph that shows the memory pressure on your system. If the graph is green, you have enough disk space; if it is yellow or red, you are running out of memory.

      What Is RAM?

      RAM stands for Random Access Memory, a.k.a. RAM. It is needed to store the operating system, applications, and data in current use.

      What Is Application Memory?

      It is the amount of free memory required for an app to run.

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      About The Author

      Ruslana Lishchuk linkdin

      Ruslana is a tech content writer whose true passion is finding out about everything Mac-related. She specializes in creating macOS guides and tips & tricks. In her spare time, you’ll find her doing yoga or discovering local coffee shops in search of the best filter coffee.

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