I keep getting a pop-up message on my iMac that says "running out of memory, close some applications" when the only applications that have running are Safari and Messages? My first thought is that there must be applications running in the background that aren't in my dock. I'm sure there must be a simple way to access that information, but I just haven't been able to figure out how to do it. Any ideas?
iMac 27″, macOS 11.5
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities.
First, let's generate an EtreCheck report, and leave open the Apps you normally use while this report generates. EtreCheck is a useful App to diagnose and identify issues, both hardware and software. It is trusted by many users. Please follow the steps outlined below:
Cheers,
Jack
➡️ You have lots of malware. Use the Malwarebytes tool to remove the malware.
➡️ Your Security and Updates are disabled. Please go to System Preferences > Software Update, and turn on the following:
Then, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General, and make sure the "Allow Apps downloaded from" is set to either "App Store" or "App Store and Identified Developers" (that may be the only options shown).
➡️ Orphan files can be removed. The location of orphan files are typically at the end of your report.
➡️ What brand of RAM is installed, or is it from Apple?
➡️ Something may be amiss with your Fusion Drive. Please go to Disk Utility, and select "View" > "Show All Devices". Select each device (or entry shown), and take a screenshot of it and upload them all here.
➡️ You have a macOS Update Available. Please update your Mac: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support.
Now, startup in Safe Mode, login, and restart into normal mode. Then, run and post a new EtreCheck report.
Cheers,
Jack
Jack-19, Robbi,
My problem is resolved. Ran both EtreCheckPro and Malwarebytes to identify/fix problem. Malwarebytes quarantined the adware that was on my computer.
Robbi, I hope you had success also.
AnnieMon2
Thank you for responding Jack. I think I followed the directions on the EtreCheck website correctly, but I'm not 100% confident that I have. Please let me know if I need to resend it.
Thank you,
Robbi
Hi Jack, I followed your directions and I can already tell that my computer is running much better! The RAM I have installed is from Apple, 4 memory slots each of which accepts a 2667 MHZ DDR4 memory module. I've also attached the screen shots of each device and the report. Thank you so much for your time and help!
I have the same problem and I can be running Safari only. I know the memory is not low. The activity monitor shows no pressure. I have been through several sessions with Apple Support without a resolution. We have cleared histories, cookies, and performed multiple other checks. I have iMac Retina 5K, 27-inch 2020, Big Sur 11.5.2, 32GB 2667 MHzDDR4 Memory
I get the following message:
"Your computer is low on memory
To free up some memory, please
close a few applications."
I will run this same check.
Jack-19, can I post my results on this thread also?
AnnieMon2
Hello Jack,
I have been having the same issues; I ran EtreCheck, so here is the report
I am not as good at fixing these issues as I would like to be, so any help you could give would be appreciated
Pop-up message "running out of memory, close some applications"
