How to fix and resolve Windows 10/11 'System Resources are Low' errors

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix and resolve Windows 10/11 'System Resources are Low' errors. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Receiving a "System Resources are Low" warning in Windows 10 or 11 typically indicates that your computer has run out of available physical memory (RAM) or virtual memory. This often leads to applications freezing or crashing and can significantly degrade your overall productivity. This guide will walk you through the steps to identify the resource hog and resolve the error.

Quick Fix Steps

Before diving into deeper configuration changes, try these immediate actions to reclaim system resources:

1. Restart your computer: This clears the system RAM and terminates any "zombie" processes that may be leaking memory.
2. Close unnecessary browser tabs: Modern web browsers are resource-intensive. If your browser is not loading pages correctly, it may be due to too many open tabs consuming your RAM.
3. Close background applications: Check your system tray (bottom right corner) and exit apps you aren't currently using.

Detailed Instructions for Resolution

Step 1: Identify the Resource Hog using Task Manager

To find out exactly which application is consuming your resources, use the built-in Windows Task Manager.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Task Manager.
2. If you see a simplified view, click More details at the bottom.
3. Click on the Processes tab.
4. Click the Memory column header to sort processes by the amount of RAM they are using (highest to lowest).
5. Right-click any non-essential application using a high percentage of memory and select End task.

Step 2: Manage Startup Applications

Too many apps launching at boot can lead to a computer running slow and trigger resource warnings shortly after login.

1. In Task Manager, navigate to the Startup apps tab.
2. Review the list of applications and their "Startup impact".
3. Right-click any unnecessary application (e.g., music players, cloud storage you don't use daily) and select Disable.

Step 3: Adjust Virtual Memory (Paging File)

When your physical RAM is full, Windows uses a portion of your hard drive as "Virtual Memory". If this is set too low or managed incorrectly, you will see resource errors.

1. Press the Windows Key, type Advanced system settings, and press Enter.
2. Under the Advanced tab, in the Performance section, click Settings....
3. In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab.
4. Under the Virtual memory section, click Change....
5. Ensure the checkbox Automatically manage paging file size for all drives is ticked.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Scanning for System File Corruption

Occasionally, corrupted system files can cause memory leaks that trigger these warnings.

1. Press the Windows Key, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. In the window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. Wait for the process to complete. Windows will automatically attempt to repair any corrupted files it finds.

Checking for Hardware Failure

If you experience "System Resources are Low" warnings followed by a Blue screen of death (BSOD), you may have a failing RAM module.

1. Press the Windows Key, type Windows Memory Diagnostic, and press Enter.
2. Select Restart now and check for problems.
3. Your computer will restart and perform a deep scan of your physical memory. This may take several minutes.

If you have followed these steps and continue to receive resource warnings, your hardware may simply be insufficient for the software you are running. In this case, we recommend a physical RAM upgrade. To discuss hardware options or for further assistance, please Open a Ticket.

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