Your System Has Run Out of Application Memory (Sequoia/Sonoma)

Key Takeaway: "Your system has run out of application memory" is a common issue for Mac users caused by factors like multiple running apps, low disk space, and outdated software. Solutions include restarting the Mac, clearing memory space, managing browser extensions, and updating the macOS and apps.



Does your Mac screen frequently keep showing “your system has run out of application memory”? Fuss not; it’s a common problem for every Mac user. However, users are confused about what this error means and its causes.

However, there are multiple reasons for this; it could be due to multiple apps running simultaneously, outdated macOS or apps, and more. Fortunately, there are different ways to fix it. So, if you’re stuck with same problem, then here are different ways to fix Your system has run out of application memory. So, without ado, let’s get started. 

What is application memory on a Mac?

Mac application memory is an operational feature of the system tasked with managing applications. When you install software, they often gets into your hard drive, it’s known as disk space, where all your documents are stored.

What causes the Mac from running out of memory

Now that your Mac has gone out of memory let’s look at the possible reasons behind it. 

  • Boot disc has a small amount of space for running applications.
  • Multiple apps running simultaneously.
  • Applications that hog the memory.
  • Multiple open browser tabs
  • Corrupted browser extensions. 

How to check application memory on Mac

Before performing different solutions to resolve the error, go through the steps to check RAM usage. What for? Doing so will let you know how much space is left. For that, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Access the Finder from the Mac dock.
Step 2: Choose Applications from the left pane.
Step 3:
Click on Utilities

Click Applications Select Utilities On Mac


Step 4: Select The Activity Monitor. Click on it to open. Or Open Activity Monitor using Spotlight Search (Command + Space).

Select Activity Monitor On Mac

Right there, you can see your Mac memory usage. Thus, you need to know what to do. Here’s what memory information means:

  • Applications Memory: the storage used by the application
  • Wired Memory: Memory used by the system to run
  • Compressed: Memory that is compressed to make RAM
  • Swap Used: the capacity swap data from and to RAM
  • Cached Files: files used by cache to boost memory
Click Memory Select App Memory,Wired Memory,Compressed,Swap Used,Cached Files On Mac

Go through the colored graph located below the memory pressure. If there is no yellow or red chart, it eventually means that your Mac computer is running on low memory. 

Predefinedly, a system is designed to use more memory as it can. However, you even focus on the memory pressure graph within the Activity Monitor. Even though the error can appear for no context. Focusing on this parameter can be very useful and offer valuable insights into the performance of your system. 

How to fix “your system has run out of application memory” on Mac?

Solution #1. Restart your Mac computer

The first solution you must try when going through an application error is restarting your Mac computer. It clears the temporary cache and files that are causing an issue within the Mac. 

Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo at the Mac’s left top corner.
Step 2: From the drop-down menu, select Restart…

Click Apple Logo Select Restart On Mac

Step 3: In the following prompted menu, choose Restart Button. 

Choose Restart On mac

Hopefully, the simple Restart often does a trick. If not, then move forward to the following troubleshooting tips. 

Solution #2. Clear Memory Space 

As running multiple applications simultaneously can cause annoying memory pop-up errors. Thus, force quitting unwanted applications is the best way to resolve this problem. The best part is that it’s simple to perform procedure. To do so, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Click on the Apple Menu located at the top left corner of Mac screen.
Step 2:
From the prompted menu, select Force Quit…

Click Apple Logo Select Force Quit Finder On Mac

Step 3: Then, press Command + A to select all applications.
Step 4: Atlast, choose Force Quit.

Command + A Select All Click Force Quit On Mac

Step 5: Next , Force Quit all application finder on mac.

Choose Force Quit On Mac

That’s It!

Solution #4. Manage browser externsion

Having multiple extensions within the browser can cause application running out of memory. Below, we’ll show you how to manage them on your Mac computer. 

For Safari Users

Step 1: Press Command + Space to access Spotlight Search. Type Safari in it and click on it to open.

Command + Space Safari On Mac

Step 2: Click on Safari from the Mac menu bar.
Step 3: Choose Settings…

Click Safari Select Settings... On Mac

Step 4: Go to the Extensions Tab.Check with PocketTube: Youtube Subscription Manager then by click on Uninstall in safari on mac.

Select Extensions Check Pocket Tube-Youtu... Choose Uninstall On Mac

Step 5: At last, choose Uninstall to delete it.

Choose Show In Finder On Mac

 

For Chrom Users

Step 1: Press Command + Space to access the Spotlight Search. Enter Chrome in it and click on it to open.

Command + Press Google Chrome On Mac

Step 2: Click More > More Tools.
Step 3: Select Manage Extensions.

Click More Icon Select Extensions Choose Mange Extensions On Mac

Step 4: Remove excessive extension.

Click Remove On Mac

Step 5: If you’ve installed a corrupted extension, resolve it by clicking Remove Extension.

Select Remove On Mac

Extensions come in handy to perform specific tasks, but many users use outdated or poor, eventually leading to particular problems, including this one. 

Solution #5. Limit Memory Usage via Finder

Finder is one of the prominent reasons why your system has run out of application memory. 

Step 1: Click on Finder from the Mac dock.
Step 2:
Select the Finder from the Mac menu bar.Choose Settings…

Click Finder Select Settings... On Mac

Step 3: Navigate to the General Tab. Below the New Finder Window show, ensure the option in the menu isn’t All My Files.

Click General Select All My File On Mac

Step 4: Select New Finder windows show then my file on mac.

Select My File On Mac

Step 5: Click Apple Logo Select Force Quit Finder on mac.

Click Apple Logo Select Force Quit Finder On Mac

Step 6: Click force quit applications and then select Finder Select Relaunch on mac.

Select Finder Choose Relaunch On Mac

Step 7: Next, do you want to force finder to Relaunch then close to finder on mac.

Click Relaunch On Mac

Solution #6. Prevent app from opening automatically

If there are multiple apps opening when you start the Mac computer, it could result in various RAM problems. Fortunately, there is an aspect within the System Settings that can work as a startup manager. From there, you can view all startup apps and turn it off. To do so, follow the steps to stop apps from starting up automatically. 

Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo from the top left corner of Mac screen. Choose System Settings… from the prompted menu.

Click Apple Logo Select System Settings.. On Mac

Step 2: Select General from the left pane. Click on Login Item from the right side.

Click General Select Login Items On Mac

Step 3: Choose the app from Open At Login Menu, and atlast select Minus Icon.

Select App Click (-) Minus Icon On Mac

Solution #7. Update macOS

Often, using the outdated version of macOS can lead to specific problems. Thus, in this scenario, updating macOS can be a safe move. And the best part is that it’s pretty handy to do so.

Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo from the top left corner of the Mac screen. Choose System Settings… from the prompted menu.

Click Apple Logo Select System Settings.. On Mac

Step 2: Select General from the left pane. Click on Software Update from right side.

Click General Select Software Update On Mac

Step 3: Now, let your Mac check for updates… If available, click on Download Now.

Select Checking For Updates... On Mac

Solution #8. Update App

Unlike macOS, there are chances that more than one or more applications you are using have a glitch that results to hog memory. Thus, you need to verify updates availability for those apps. Any bug can be the reason behind the issue. For that, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Press command + space to open Spotlight Search.Enter the App Store and click on it to open.

Command + Space App Store On Mac

Step 2: Click on Updates from the left pane.
Step 3: If there is an update available, click either Update All or Update.

Select Updates Click Update All On Mac

Solution #9. Contact Apple Support

If none of the solutions mentioned in this article helped you to get rid of the problem, then it’s high time to Contact Apple Support Team. That’s because they are experts that help to diagnose the problem and accordingly offers a set of effective solution to fix it. However, there are different ways to contact them; learn how to contact the Apple support team.   

Final Verdict!

That’s it, folks! This is how you can quickly resolve when your system has run out of application memory. However, if the issue continues on Mac running the latest macOS, please drop your queries in the comment box below.

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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