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However, there are multiple reasons for this; it could be due to multiple apps running simultaneously, outdated macOS or apps, and more.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.

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

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

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…

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

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…

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

Step 5: Next , Force Quit all application finder 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Step 4: Remove excessive extension.

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

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…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.