Getting “You system has run out of application memory “ error messages after updating to Ventura

I have be getting “You system has run out of application memory “ error messages after updating to Ventura. It started on a 2017 iMac and has followed me to my new MacStudio. My Mac Mail application has not been reliable also. I have had it show up with only two applications running, Finder and Mail. And it can show up with 6 or 7 apps running. Anyone else had this problem. I have reloaded my OS once already. I used the Apple program to move all my apps and data to the new MacStudio.

Mac Studio

Posted on Jan 17, 2023 7:00 AM

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Posted on Jan 17, 2023 9:58 AM

If you are getting "Your system has run out of application memory" dialog boxes, and a list of most likely innocent apps listed (and the apps you are listing are totally innocent), then here is the explanation.


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. 50GB to 100GB would be a good idea to have in reserve.


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.


You can also issue the following command from Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal:

ps ax -o vsz,pid,comm | sort -n

which will display the virtual memory used sorted so the largest virtual memory consuming users are at the end. The virtual memory sizes are in 1024 byte units.


NOTE: I have seen situations where no single process is using all the memory, but rather a host of smaller processes are using up all the virtual memory. That is to say, a 100 instances of the same program all running with a moderate amount of memory eventually adds up to a lot of page table entries being used.


I have also seen users with 100's of web browser tabs open, where each tab is being managed by its own separate process. And just because you are not looking at any give tab, does not mean the Javascript running on that web page, is not taking up memory and virtual addresses. There have even been webpage Javascript bugs that generate memory leaks.

31 replies

Jan 18, 2023 2:06 AM in response to Louis in VA

What follows is only in the best interest of the computer.


There is not other agenda at play, be it implied or explicit.


The user ( you ) have basically 3 options open to them.


1 - Live the machine in its' present state and update to 13.1 or wait for the pending 13.2 and hope it fixes the damages already exiting on the computer get fixed. That, I personally doubt it will do.


2 - Spend a good amount of time to the acquired the skill sets and or assistance to ferret out the Bad Actor software and hope that will bering the machine back to a more stable and functional machine.


3 - That which has already been explicitly declared.


Only the Owner of this machine can decide what is best for the computer.


Whatever the decision may be, we are here to offer a guiding hand.


Good luck with these computer issues

Jan 19, 2023 2:39 AM in response to Louis in VA

This is the machine as per the report - right ?


Hardware Information:

Mac Studio (2022)

Status: Supported

Under warranty: Yes

Warranty expiration: 2025-11-23


  Mac Studio Model: Mac13,1

  Apple M1 Max (m1) CPU: 10-core

  32 GB RAM - Not upgradeable


Refer to link below for the Specifications

Mac Studio (2022) - Technical Specifications (CA)


AFAIK and can be corrected, the only battery that maybe in this computer would the the small Silver Coin Shaped Battery,


Used to keep the Internal Clock running if or when the machines is removed from the Electrical Wall Socket


The " Power Nap" under the Battery settings would not be found in that location but rather " Energy Saver " in System Setting.


At least that is where I find it on Ventura 13.1 on an M1 Mac Mini


Refer to image below






Jan 20, 2023 4:06 AM in response to Owl-53

I had one more issue come up yesterday that I need to tell both of you about. This has happened 1 or 2 times before. I came back to my computer and tried to wake it up. Could not do that. Checked the monitor to make sure it was on and connected. But nothing showing on the screen. A manual power button hold to power down and a push to start and things boot up normally. Is this another result of a kernel panic or do I have a hardware problem with my new MacStudio?


Thanks to both of you for your help. Louis

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Getting “You system has run out of application memory “ error messages after updating to Ventura

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