Fix Chrome Out of Memory Error: 7 Steps

If Google Chrome shows an “out of memory” error, the fix is usually to close unused tabs, disable memory-hogging extensions, and clear cached data—but if that doesn’t work, you may need to adjust Chrome’s settings or check your system’s RAM. This article explains why Chrome runs out of memory, how to fix it step by step, and how to prevent it from happening again.

Why Chrome Runs Out of Memory

Chrome is notorious for using a lot of RAM because it runs each tab, extension, and plugin as a separate process. This design improves stability and security—if one tab crashes, the others keep working—but it also means that with many tabs open, memory usage can skyrocket. On a computer with limited RAM (say 4GB or less), Chrome can easily consume all available memory, leading to the “out of memory” error or pages that crash with the “Aw, Snap!” message.

Other common causes include:

• Extensions that run in the background and consume memory even when idle.
• Heavy web pages with lots of media, scripts, or ads.
• Memory leaks in Chrome or in a specific website.
• Too many tabs open simultaneously.
• System-level issues like insufficient virtual memory or other programs hogging RAM.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into advanced settings, try these simple steps that solve the problem in most cases:

1. Close unused tabs. Each tab uses memory, so close any you don’t need. You can also use Chrome’s tab search (Ctrl+Shift+A on Windows, Cmd+Shift+A on Mac) to find and close tabs quickly.
2. Restart Chrome. Close the browser completely and reopen it. This clears temporary memory and often resolves the error.
3. Restart your computer. This frees up all RAM and clears any system-level memory issues.
4. Update Chrome. Go to the three-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome. If an update is available, it will install automatically. Updates often include memory fixes.
5. Disable or remove extensions. Go to the three-dot menu > More tools > Extensions. Toggle off extensions you don’t use, or remove ones you suspect are causing issues. You can also use Chrome’s built-in memory saver feature (see below).

Use Chrome’s Built-in Memory Saver

Chrome has a feature called Memory Saver that automatically frees memory from inactive tabs. When you enable it, Chrome puts tabs you haven’t used in a while to sleep, so they don’t consume RAM. When you click on a sleeping tab, it reloads.

To enable Memory Saver:

1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings.
3. In the left sidebar, click Performance.
4. Toggle on Memory Saver.

You can also choose to keep certain sites always active by clicking “Add” under “Always keep these sites active.” This is useful for sites you need to stay live, like web apps or email.

Clear Cache and Browsing Data

Corrupted cache files can cause memory issues. Clearing your browsing data can free up space and fix the error.

1. Click the three-dot menu > More tools > Clear browsing data.
2. In the dialog that appears, set the time range to All time.
3. Check Cached images and files (and optionally Cookies and other site data if you’re okay with logging out of sites).
4. Click Clear data.

This won’t delete your bookmarks or passwords. It’s a safe step that often resolves memory-related glitches.

Check System RAM and Virtual Memory

If Chrome still runs out of memory, the problem might be your computer’s overall memory capacity. Here’s what to check:

• Task Manager (Windows): Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Under the “Processes” tab, see how much memory is being used overall. If it’s consistently above 90%, you may need to close other programs or upgrade your RAM.
• Activity Monitor (Mac): Open it from Applications > Utilities. Check the “Memory” tab for pressure and usage.
• Virtual memory: Windows uses a page file to supplement RAM. If it’s too small, Chrome may fail. To adjust, go to System Properties > Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory. Ensure it’s set to “System managed size” or increase the initial and maximum size.

If your computer has 4GB of RAM or less, consider upgrading to 8GB or more if possible. This is the most effective long-term solution.

Advanced: Use Chrome Flags to Reduce Memory

Chrome has experimental flags that can reduce memory usage, but they are not officially supported and may cause instability. Use them with caution:

1. Type chrome://flags in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Search for “Quick intensive throttling after loading” and enable it. This makes Chrome throttle background tabs more aggressively.
3. Search for “Memory Saver Mode” (if not already enabled) and set it to Enabled.
4. Search for “Override software rendering list” and enable it if you have a GPU that’s not being used. This can offload some processing.

After changing flags, click Relaunch to restart Chrome. If you notice problems, go back to the flags page and reset all flags to default.

Alternatives to Chrome

If Chrome consistently runs out of memory on your device, you might consider using a lighter browser. Some popular alternatives that use less RAM include:

• Microsoft Edge – Based on Chromium, so it supports Chrome extensions, but it has better memory management in some tests.
• Firefox – Known for lower memory usage with many tabs open.
• Opera – Includes a built-in battery saver and ad blocker, which can reduce memory load.
• Brave – Blocks ads and trackers by default, which can significantly reduce memory usage.

These browsers are free and can import your bookmarks and passwords from Chrome. However, you don’t have to switch entirely—you can use them for heavy tasks and keep Chrome for everyday browsing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Chrome use so much memory?

Chrome uses a multi-process architecture: each tab, extension, and plugin runs as a separate process. This improves stability and security but increases memory usage. With many tabs or extensions, RAM usage can become very high, especially on systems with limited memory.

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No, clearing the cache will not delete your saved passwords. It only removes cached images, files, and sometimes cookies. If you check “Cookies and other site data,” you may be logged out of websites, but your passwords remain saved in Chrome.

How do I know which extension is using too much memory?

Open Chrome’s Task Manager by pressing Shift+Esc (Windows) or going to the three-dot menu > More tools > Task Manager. It shows memory usage for each tab and extension. Sort by “Memory footprint” to see which ones are using the most. Then disable or remove the culprit.

Is it safe to use Chrome flags to reduce memory?

Chrome flags are experimental and not officially supported. Enabling them can improve performance, but they may also cause instability, crashes, or security issues. Use them temporarily and revert if you notice problems. Always back up your important data before changing flags.

Can I increase Chrome’s memory limit?

No, Chrome doesn’t have a user-configurable memory limit. The browser uses as much memory as it needs, up to your system’s available RAM. You can reduce its usage by closing tabs, disabling extensions, and using Memory Saver. If the error persists, consider upgrading your RAM or using a lighter browser.

Does the “out of memory” error mean my computer is broken?

No, it just means your system ran out of available RAM at that moment. It’s a common issue with Chrome, especially on lower-end devices. Following the steps above should resolve it. If the error occurs frequently even with few tabs open, you may have a memory leak or a hardware issue, and it’s worth checking your system’s health.

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