Fixing Google Chrome Out Of Memory Error In Windows - Step-By-Step Guide

How To Fix Google Chrome Out Of Memory Error In Windows

Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers used by millions of people worldwide. However, like any other software, it can sometimes encounter errors that can disrupt your browsing experience. One common error that users often face is the “Out of Memory” error. This error typically occurs when Chrome exceeds the available memory on your Windows computer, causing the browser to crash or become unresponsive.

If you are frequently encountering the “Out of Memory” error in Google Chrome, don’t worry. There are several steps you can take to fix this issue and improve your browsing experience. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the solutions to resolve the “Out of Memory” error in Google Chrome on Windows.

Table Of Contents

1. Close Unnecessary Tabs and Extensions:

One of the primary reasons for the “Out of Memory” error in Google Chrome is having too many tabs and extensions open simultaneously. Each tab and extension consumes memory, so closing unnecessary ones can free up resources for Chrome to use. To close tabs, right-click on the tab and click the “Close” option. To disable extensions, click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of Chrome, go to “More tools,” and select “Extensions.” Disable or remove any extensions that you don’t need.

2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies:

The accumulated cache and cookies in your browser can also contribute to the “Out of Memory” error. Clearing the cache and cookies regularly can help resolve this issue. To clear the cache, click the three-dot menu icon, go to “History,” and click on the “Clear browsing data” option. From the menu, select the desired time range and check the boxes for “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.” Click “Clear data” to proceed.

3. Update Chrome:

Outdated versions of Google Chrome may have bugs and performance issues that can lead to the “Out of Memory” error. Updating Chrome to the latest version can help fix these problems. To update Chrome, click the three-dot menu icon, go to “Help,” and select “About Google Chrome.” Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them if available. Restart Chrome after the update is complete.

Remember to save any important work and bookmarks before performing any troubleshooting steps.

4. Disable Hardware Acceleration:

Hardware acceleration is a feature in Chrome that utilizes the computer’s hardware to improve browsing performance. However, it can sometimes cause conflicts and memory issues. Disabling hardware acceleration can potentially fix the “Out of Memory” error. To disable hardware acceleration, click the three-dot menu icon, go to “Settings,” scroll down and click on “Advanced,” and under the “System” section, toggle off the “Use hardware acceleration when available” option. Restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “Out of Memory” error in Google Chrome and enjoy a smoother browsing experience. If the issue persists, you might consider upgrading your computer’s RAM or seeking further assistance from Google Chrome support.

Read Also: Why Does Facebook Messenger Keep Crashing? - Common Causes and Solutions

Fixing Google Chrome Out Of Memory Error In Windows

If you frequently use Google Chrome as your web browser, you may encounter the “Out of Memory” error at some point. This error occurs when Chrome doesn’t have enough memory to operate efficiently, leading to slow performance and crashes. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to fix this issue.

Close unnecessary tabs and extensions: One of the primary reasons for Chrome running out of memory is having too many tabs and extensions open. Close any tabs or extensions that you aren’t actively using to free up memory.
Update Chrome: Keeping Chrome up to date can help resolve memory-related issues. Make sure you have the latest version of Chrome installed on your computer. You can check for updates by clicking on the three dots menu icon in the top right corner of Chrome, selecting “Help,” and then selecting “About Google Chrome.”
Clear browsing data: Clearing your browsing data can help free up memory in Chrome. Go to the three dots menu icon, select “More tools,” and then select “Clear browsing data.” Choose the time range for which you want to clear data and select the appropriate options, then click “Clear data.”
Reset Chrome settings: Resetting Chrome settings can help fix any configuration issues that may be causing memory problems. Go to the three dots menu icon, select “Settings,” scroll down and click on “Advanced,” then scroll down again and click on “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
Disable hardware acceleration: Chrome uses hardware acceleration by default, but this feature can sometimes cause memory issues. To disable hardware acceleration, go to the three dots menu icon, select “Settings,” scroll down and click on “Advanced,” then scroll down again and toggle off the “Use hardware acceleration when available” option.
Allocate more virtual memory: Increasing the amount of virtual memory (pagefile) allocated to Chrome can help alleviate memory problems. Right-click on the “This PC” or “My Computer” icon on your desktop, select “Properties,” go to the “Advanced system settings” tab, click on “Settings” under the “Performance” section, go to the “Advanced” tab in the new window, and click on “Change” under the “Virtual memory” section. Select the “Custom size” option and set a higher initial and maximum size for the virtual memory.
Disable unnecessary plugins: Some plugins can consume a significant amount of memory and cause Chrome to run out of memory. Go to the three dots menu icon, select “Settings,” scroll down and click on “Extensions,” then disable any plugins that you don’t need.
Use fewer open tabs: While Chrome is known for its tab-heavy browsing experience, having too many tabs open can put a strain on your system’s memory. Try to limit the number of open tabs and use bookmarks to save frequently accessed websites for later.
Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can help resolve memory issues. Close all applications, including Chrome, and restart your computer to clear out any temporary memory issues.

By following these steps, you can effectively fix the “Out of Memory” error in Google Chrome and ensure a smoother browsing experience.

Note: If the issue persists after trying these solutions, it may be a sign of a more serious underlying problem with your computer’s hardware or operating system. In such cases, it is recommended to seek professional assistance.

Understanding the Out Of Memory Error

One common issue that Chrome users may encounter is the “Out of Memory” error. This error occurs when Chrome exceeds its allocated memory limit and cannot function properly. When this happens, Chrome may become slow, unresponsive, or even crash.

Read Also: How to delete a PS4 account: step-by-step instructions

There are several reasons why this error can occur:

Memory-intensive tabs: Chrome uses a significant amount of memory for each open tab. If you have many tabs open, especially ones with complex web applications or multimedia content, it can quickly consume a large portion of your system’s memory.
Extensions and plugins: Some extensions and plugins can also consume a lot of memory, especially if they are poorly optimized or have memory leaks. These can add additional memory pressure on Chrome and contribute to the “Out of Memory” error.
Inadequate system resources: If your computer does not have enough physical memory (RAM) or is running low on disk space, it can put strain on Chrome and lead to memory-related errors.

To address the “Out of Memory” error in Chrome, there are several steps you can take:

Close unnecessary tabs: Start by closing any tabs that you are not actively using. This will free up memory and reduce the strain on Chrome.
Disable or remove extensions and plugins: If you have installed many extensions or plugins, try disabling or removing ones that you do not need. This can help reduce memory usage and improve Chrome’s performance.
Update Chrome: Make sure you are running the latest version of Chrome. Updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can help address memory-related issues.
Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can help free up system resources and resolve memory-related issues.

If the “Out of Memory” error persists despite these steps, you may need to consider upgrading your system’s memory or using alternative browsers with lower memory requirements.

Summary of Steps:

Step-By-Step Guide to Fix the Out Of Memory Error

If you are experiencing the “Out Of Memory” error in Google Chrome on your Windows computer, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Close Unnecessary Tabs: Start by closing any unnecessary tabs or applications running in the background. This will free up system resources and memory for Chrome to use.
Disable Extensions: Disable any extensions that you no longer need or suspect may be causing memory issues. To do this, type “chrome://extensions” in the address bar, and then toggle off the extensions you want to disable.
Clear Browsing Data: Clearing your browsing data can help free up memory as well. Go to “Settings” in Chrome, then click on “Privacy and security.” Under the “Clear browsing data” section, select the data types you want to clear, then click “Clear data.”
Update Chrome: Ensure you are using the latest version of Google Chrome. Open Chrome, go to “Settings,” then click on “About Chrome.” If an update is available, Chrome will automatically download and install it.
Check for Malware: Malware can consume system resources, causing memory issues. Run a full scan using a reliable antivirus or anti-malware software to detect and remove any potential threats.
Adjust Virtual Memory: In some cases, adjusting the virtual memory settings can help address memory errors. Go to the Control Panel, search for “System,” then click on “Advanced system settings.” Under the “Performance” section, click “Settings,” go to the “Advanced” tab, and click “Change” under Virtual memory. Uncheck the “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” option, then select “Custom size” and enter an initial and maximum size for the paging file. Click “Set” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Reset Chrome: If none of the above steps work, you can try resetting Chrome to its default settings. Go to “Settings,” click on “Advanced,” and then click on “Restore settings to their original defaults.”

If you still experience the “Out Of Memory” error after following these steps, it may indicate a more significant issue with your computer’s hardware or software. Consider seeking further assistance from technical support or a computer professional.

FAQ:

What is the Google Chrome Out of Memory Error?

The Google Chrome Out of Memory Error is an error message that appears when Chrome uses up all available memory and is unable to continue running.

Why does the Out of Memory Error occur in Google Chrome?

The Out of Memory Error in Google Chrome can occur due to several reasons, such as having too many open tabs, running multiple extensions, or having insufficient system memory.

How can I fix the Out of Memory Error in Google Chrome?

To fix the Out of Memory Error in Google Chrome, you can try closing unnecessary tabs, disabling or removing extensions, clearing the browser cache, increasing the system memory, or updating Chrome to the latest version.

What should I do if the above steps don’t fix the Out of Memory Error in Google Chrome?

If the above steps don’t fix the Out of Memory Error in Google Chrome, you can try resetting Chrome settings to their default, reinstalling Chrome, or using a different browser as a temporary solution.