Suddenly I am getting a popup telling me "Your computer is low on memory To free up some memory, please close a few applications"
So is this a system message? Is it genuine? While it looks like memory is being used, the memory pressure in Activity Monitor is Green.
"Your system has run out of application memory" is frequently caused by a background process, and the list of processes for you to delete are innocent. But on occasion it is caused by an app with a memory leak.
For the record, there are 2 reasons for the "Your system has run out of application memory" dialog box.
A) Your boot disk has very low free storage, and macOS cannot create page/swap files to offload virtual memory contents to disk. This is generally not the case, but I mention because if you do have very low free storage, it might apply.
B) A process (or set of processes) have asked macOS for excessive amounts of virtual memory address space. Virtual memory address space requires macOS to create Virtual Memory Page Tables in the kernel address space to keep track of the application virtual addresses given out. Generally, if there is a memory leak (process asks for a virtual address range, uses the addresses, forgets to give them back, asks for another virtual address range, uses the addresses, wash, rinse, repeat), eventually there are so many virtual memory page table entries trying to keep track of the virtual addresses, that macOS no longer has memory available for applications, and you get the "Your system has run out of application memory"
If you look at Applications -> Utilties -> Activity Monitor -> View (menu) -> All Processes -> Memory (tab), you can see what processes are using lots of memory.
"Your system has run out of application memory" is frequently caused by a background process, and the list of processes for you to delete are innocent. But on occasion it is caused by an app with a memory leak.
For the record, there are 2 reasons for the "Your system has run out of application memory" dialog box.
A) Your boot disk has very low free storage, and macOS cannot create page/swap files to offload virtual memory contents to disk. This is generally not the case, but I mention because if you do have very low free storage, it might apply.
B) A process (or set of processes) have asked macOS for excessive amounts of virtual memory address space. Virtual memory address space requires macOS to create Virtual Memory Page Tables in the kernel address space to keep track of the application virtual addresses given out. Generally, if there is a memory leak (process asks for a virtual address range, uses the addresses, forgets to give them back, asks for another virtual address range, uses the addresses, wash, rinse, repeat), eventually there are so many virtual memory page table entries trying to keep track of the virtual addresses, that macOS no longer has memory available for applications, and you get the "Your system has run out of application memory"
If you look at Applications -> Utilties -> Activity Monitor -> View (menu) -> All Processes -> Memory (tab), you can see what processes are using lots of memory.
As it turns out, this looks like a minor virus that ClamXAV cleared up.
ebburas wrote:
I don't understand "low on memory"
See my above reply.
If you do not understand the difference between memory and storage, then Storage is where your files are kept and they live through power cycling, and remain stable without power. Memory only remembers things while there is power applied to the RAM (Random Access Memory) chips. If the Mac is powered off, the contents of memory is lost.
Memory is very fast access, can be accessed at a 1 byte (8 bit) granularity, and it is where the program instructions and data are kept while an applications is running.
Going back to my previous post, "Your system has run out of applications memory" is referring to this kind of memory. The workspace for the operating system and applications. Above I have explained under what conditions the error message can appear.
Hi. I'm also suddenly and relentlessly receiving "Your Computer Is Low On Memory" pop-up. (It is a little suspicious looking b/c you can't slide it out of center screen like what {to me} is a more typical Apple pop-up.) I've closed app's & still get it.
Idk if purely random coincidence, but upgraded to BigSur11.4 today.
I do understand the difference between RAM & Disc Storage Space. However, have no idea what the WindowServer thing is that's the largest consumer. So, Idk if ~900MB is out of line. It doesn't seem like a lot. But, all in, it shows 10.63GB consumed out of 16GB - which does seem very high. Cached files @ 5.11GB. Zero Swap Used & Memory Pressure looks like a consistent, smooth, green/happy and low line.
Open to suggestions (if I can remain operable to see them and anyone has any thoughts {please!}) Thanx!
I don't understand "low on memory
"
phager,
When washing dishes, you can only fit a limited number of dishes in the kitchen sink. You generally have a stack of dirty dishes, a sink with soapy water, and a drying set of dishes.
Memory is the sink of soapy water. You can only put so many dishes (user data and programs) in the sink at a time. The counter space where the clean and dirty dishes are stacked, as well as your cabinets where you store you clean dishes, is your disk storage space.
All computer systems have working memory (RAM; Random Access Memory) and disk storage, which might be a rotating disk or these days it might be an SSD (Solid State Disk; no moving parts; and very VERY FAST; not as fast as RAM, but way faster than a rotating disk).
As I said in my original reply above, you need to look at the Applications -> Utilities -> Activity Monitor -> View (menu) -> All Processes -> Memory (tab) and see what is REALLY using memory. Often times the list of apps shown in the dialog box are innocent.
Your Computer is Low on Memory Pop Up
