Error “Outlook Out of Memory or System Resources”: How Do I Fix It?

Ritu Roy | File Repair fix How to's Outlook Software Technology | 5 minutes read | Modified on: 28-09-2023
How to Resolve Outlook Out of Memory or System Resources Error

Microsoft Outlook is a widely used email client, known for its efficiency and productivity-enhancing features. However, like any software, it’s not immune to errors, and one common issue users may encounter is the “Outlook Out of Memory or System Resources” error. This error can be frustrating, but it’s typically fixable with a few troubleshooting steps. In this article, we will explore the reasons for this error and provide solutions to resolve it.

When you least expect it, Outlook errors might happen. The ‘Out of Memory or System Resources’ issue is one frequent unexpected Outlook error. According to the full error message:

“Out of memory or system resources. Close some windows or programs and try again”

A few examples of the error are as follows:

The folder cannot be displayed. This program can’t run because there isn’t enough free memory. Try once more after quitting one or more programs.

This program can’t run because there isn’t enough free memory. Try once more after quitting one or more programs.

The folder cannot be displayed. This program can’t run because there isn’t enough free memory. Try once more after quitting one or more programs.

The issue shows up when your system doesn’t have enough memory to keep running programs or when there isn’t enough memory to display the folder. The error notification messages call for a quick response and a remedy.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the typical reasons for this problem and provide you with some efficient fixes.

Error ‘Out of Memory or System Resources’ Frequently Occurring Causes

Microsoft Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021 may encounter the ‘Out of Memory or System Resources’ problem for a number of reasons. These comprise:

  • Too many applications or windows are running at once, using up a lot of system RAM.
  • Your computer has little RAM (random access memory) or virtual memory.
  • Outlook OST data file that is unavailable or unreliable
  • Conflicts with third-party software or add-ons
  • OST file that is too big or too large

Techniques for Fixing the “Out of Memory or System Resources” Error

To resolve the ‘Out of Memory or System Resources’ error in Microsoft Outlook when it is operating on a Windows laptop or PC, refer to the below solutions and techniques.

#1. Monitor Resource Usage

You can use Task Manager to view the resource utilization on your machine. This can assist you in determining whether you are really having memory or system resource problems. The following are the steps:

  • Use the keyboard shortcuts CTRL + SHIFT + DEL to launch the Task Manager on your computer. The Task Manager can also be accessed by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC on your keyboard.
  • Click the More Details button when it appears.
  • Go to the ‘Performance‘ tab. You may discover information about RAM, Processor, Network, and Storage usage here.
  • These specifics will enable you to determine whether your system is routinely getting close to its limit.
  • Then, return to the “Processes” page and look for any specific applications or processes that are utilizing too much processing power or RAM.
  • Close any that you come across. The ‘Out of Memory or System Resources’ problem ought to be resolved.

Searching for Outlook performance indicators is another technique to determine whether your system is experiencing a resource shortage. There is a resource shortage if your Outlook begins to operate slowly or sluggishly when launching the client, sending or receiving new emails, or returning search results. If Outlook routinely freezes or crashes, there is likely not enough memory available or an oversized/large OST file.

#2. Restart and Update Outlook

It is advisable to restart Outlook and update it to the most recent version in order to fix the “Out of Memory or System Resources” error.

  • First, use the Task Manager to quit Outlook and any related activities.
  • After a short while, restart Outlook.
  • Visit File > Office Account > Update Options next.
  • To check for and apply any Outlook updates that are available, choose “Update Now.”

Check to see whether the “Out of Memory or System Resources” error has been fixed by restarting the computer.

#3. System Resource Optimisation for Outlook

Follow these guidelines to make Outlook run as efficiently as possible:

To save system resources, think about closing any open windows or applications. In the System Properties of your computer, change the virtual memory settings. due to this

  • Click OK after entering sysdm. cpl by pressing Windows + R.
  • Go to the ‘Advanced‘ page and choose ‘Settings‘ from the ‘Performance‘ subsection.
  • To change and increase Outlook’s virtual memory allocation, select the Advanced tab and then “Change.”

#4. Locate and Remove Outlook’s Faulty Add-Ins

The ‘Out of Memory or System Resources’ problem may be experienced by Outlook users as a result of malfunctioning or damaged third-party add-ins. You must restart Outlook in safe mode before you can locate and handle these add-ins. After that, you must deactivate each add-in. The next step is to restart Outlook normally, open each add-in individually, and check Outlook for errors. Deactivate and uninstall that specific add-in to fix the problem if the error appears after activating the add-in.

The following steps explain how to launch Outlook in safe mode and turn off add-ins:

  • To run Outlook.exe in safe mode, press Windows + R, enter, and then click OK.
  • It launches Outlook in a secure mode. Click File > Options > Add-Ins.
  • Press the Go button
  • Select none of the add-ins, then click OK. All add-ins will be disabled if you do this.
  • Open Outlook again properly after closing it.
  • Pick the “File > Options > Add-Ins” and then press “Go.”
  • To enable a particular add-in, choose it and click OK.
  • Track down the mistake in Outlook. Use a different add-in if the error does not display.
  • Uninstall the problematic add-in from Outlook after repeating the previous two procedures until you have identified it.

#5. Repair Outlook Installation

If none of the suggestions above work, you could try fixing your Outlook installation:

  • Open the “Control Panel” and navigate to “Programs” > “Programs and Features.
  • On the list of installed programs, look for Microsoft Office or Outlook.
  • Right-click on it and select “Change.”
  • Choose the “Repair” option and follow the on-screen instructions.

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The Concluding Lines

The “Outlook out of memory or system resources” error can be a frustrating obstacle, but with the right steps, you can resolve it and enjoy uninterrupted access to your emails and other Outlook features. By following these troubleshooting tips, you can identify the root cause of the issue and apply the appropriate solution to get Outlook running smoothly again. Remember to regularly maintain your Outlook data files and keep your software up to date to prevent similar issues in the future.

If your OST file becomes unavailable or orphaned, you can use an OST to PST Converter application, like CubexSoft OST Converter. It has the ability to extract your mail items from an inoperable, orphaned, or inconsistent OST file and save them in PST format. When you’re ready to restore the items, import this PST into Outlook.