{"id":145621,"date":"2023-08-10T12:59:15","date_gmt":"2023-08-10T12:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/?p=145621"},"modified":"2026-06-16T10:35:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T10:35:30","slug":"how-to-fix-outlook-out-of-memory-or-system-resources-error","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/how-to-fix-outlook-out-of-memory-or-system-resources-error\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fix ‘Outlook Out of Memory or System Resources’ Error in Outlook 2021\/2019\/2016\/365?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The “Out of Memory or System Resources” error when your Outlook does not have enough system memory. This can prevent your email client to perform tasks such as opening a mail folder, loading emails, or syncing mailbox data. If this error appears in Windows Outlook, it can freeze up, crash, slow down or not open folders and emails. This post elucidates the cause of this error and a step-wise procedure to correct the error.<\/p>

What does the ‘Out of Memory or System Resources’ Error Mean?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>

This error indicates that your email client is unable to access enough RAM or system resources to complete a task. It commonly occurs Outlook reaches its memory limit, the OST file becomes too large, or add-ins consume excessive memory, then you may encounter this error.<\/p>

Below are some variations of the error:<\/p>

Error Message Variation<\/strong><\/td>What It Means<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Out of memory or system resources. Close some windows or programs and try again.<\/strong><\/td>Outlook reached the process memory limit. Most common in 32-bit Outlook.<\/td><\/tr>
There is not enough free memory to run this program. Quit one or more programs.<\/strong><\/td>System RAM is exhausted because too many applications are running.<\/td><\/tr>
Cannot display the folder. There is not enough free memory.<\/strong><\/td>Folder loading failure caused by an oversized or corrupt OST file.<\/td><\/tr>
Unable to display the folder. Not enough free memory.<\/strong><\/td>Add-ins or large attachments are creating memory spikes.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

Common Causes of “Outlook Out of Memory or System Resources” Error<\/strong><\/h2>

The table below mentioned the most probable reasons behind the error.<\/p>

Cause<\/strong><\/td>How Common<\/strong><\/td>First Check<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
32-bit Outlook hitting 2 GB memory ceiling<\/strong><\/td>40% of cases<\/td>File > Office Account > About Outlook<\/td><\/tr>
Oversized or corrupt OST file<\/strong><\/td>25% of cases<\/td>Check OST size in %LOCALAPPDATA%\\Microsoft\\Outlook<\/td><\/tr>
Faulty or too many add-ins<\/strong><\/td>20% of cases<\/td>Run Outlook in safe mode<\/td><\/tr>
Low system RAM or virtual memory<\/strong><\/td>10% of cases<\/td>Check Task Manager for RAM usage<\/td><\/tr>
Too many programs open<\/strong><\/td>5% of cases<\/td>Close unused applications<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

Why 32-bit Outlook Causes Memory Errors?<\/strong><\/h2>

The Outlook 32-bit edition has a 2 GB memory ceiling. When add-ins, large mailboxes, and multiple open folders together cross this limit, the “Out of Memory or System Resources” error appears. You many need to switch to 64-bit, if you are handling large mailboxes or several add-ins.<\/p>

Solutions to Fix ‘Out of Memory or System Resources’ Error in Outlook<\/strong><\/h2>

Follow the below solutions to fix this error in Microsoft Outlook, running on a Windows system. <\/p>

Solution 1 — Check if You Are Running 32-bit Outlook<\/strong><\/p>

The 32-bit version of Outlook can only use up to 2 GB of memory<\/strong><\/a>. If you are managing large mailbox or several add-ins, then your email client may run out of memory. In such a situation, you can switch to 64-bit Outlook to fix this issue. Here’s how:<\/p>

    \n
  1. Open Outlook.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Click File > Office Account.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Click About Outlook<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
    \"Click<\/figure>