8 Ways to Fix a Memory Leak on Windows 11/10

Part 1: What Cause Memory Leak on Windows 11/10?

Memory leaks on Windows systems typically arise when programs reserve memory space but don’t release it after completing tasks. Over time, this can cause your system to run out of available memory, slowing down performance or even leading to crashes.

These leaks can be triggered by several factors, including poorly optimized applications, outdated drivers, or even corrupted system files.

Part 2: How to Fix a Memory Leak on Windows

Now you are aware of the potential causes of memory leaks on Windows, here’s how to fix a memory leak:

Bonus Tip: Recover Data Lost during Memory Leak

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Massive Tips to Fix Attempted Write to Readonly Memory Windows 10/11

Way 1: Restart PC and Close Unnecessary Processes

One of the simplest yet effective methods to manage memory leaks is to restart your PC and close unnecessary processes. A reboot clears the memory cache and stops all active processes, providing a fresh start and freeing up RAM that may have been locked by running applications.

After restarting, follow these steps to close unnecessary background processes:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.

• In the "Processes" tab, sort by "Memory" usage to identify applications or processes consuming large amounts of RAM.

• Right-click on any unnecessary or high-memory processes and select End Task to close them.

  

Way 2: Disable Some Startup Programs

Disabling unnecessary startup programs can significantly reduce memory usage, as fewer applications will load automatically when Windows starts. Many programs set themselves to run at startup, consuming system memory even if you don’t immediately use them.

Here’s how to fix a memory leak by disabling startup programs, follow these steps:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.

• In Task Manager, navigate to the Startup tab. This shows a list of all applications set to start with Windows, along with their impact on startup speed.

• Right-click on programs you don’t need immediately at startup (like certain update services, cloud storage clients, or chat applications), and select Disable.

  

Way 3: Adjust the Setting for your system

Improving system performance can help manage memory usage more efficiently, reducing strain on resources and minimizing the likelihood of memory leaks. Windows has built-in settings to optimize performance, which can be adjusted for a smoother experience.

Follow these steps to adjust system settings:

• Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings .

• Choose High performance if available, as this power plan can allocate more resources to active processes.

  

Way 4: Update Your Device Drivers

Some users have reported that they’re experiencing memory leaks in the GPU on Windows.

Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause memory leaks, as they may not efficiently handle system resources. Updating your drivers ensures that they are optimized for the latest Windows features, and can help in the rog ally memory leak fix, by preventing memory leaks and improving system stability.

Here are the steps to fix memory leak GPU:

• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu.

• In Device Manager, look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark or focus on critical drivers, such as Display adapters, Network adapters, and Sound, video, and game controllers.

• Right-click on the device you want to update and select the Update driver.

• Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search online for the latest driver and install it if available.

• Once updates are installed, restart your computer to apply the changes.

  

Way 5: Use Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is a built-in utility that helps identify memory issues, such as faulty RAM, that could be causing memory leaks. Running this diagnostic can reveal hardware issues impacting system performance and help determine if your RAM needs repair or replacement.

Follow these steps to fix memory leak GPU by using the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool:

• Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.

• Choose Restart now and check for problems to begin the test immediately.

• Your PC will restart, and the tool will scan your memory for errors.

• After the test, your PC will reboot. View the results in Event Viewer under Windows Logs > System by finding MemoryDiagnostics-Results.

  

Way 6: Defrag Hard Drives Regularly

Defragmenting your hard drives is an essential maintenance step that can enhance system performance and reduce memory leaks. Over time, files on your hard drive can become fragmented, meaning they are stored in non-contiguous spaces.

This fragmentation can slow down data access and increase memory usage, as the system works harder to retrieve files. Regularly defragmenting your drives helps organize and consolidate files, leading to faster access and more efficient memory usage.

Consider defragging hard drives for memory leak fix by following these steps:

• Press Windows + S , type Defragment and Optimize Drives, and press Enter.

• In the Optimize Drives window, choose the drive you want to defrag (typically the C: drive).

• Click Optimize to begin the defragmentation process.

• If you have multiple drives, repeat these steps for any additional drives you wish to defragment.

  

Way 7: Scan Malware and Antivirus

Malware and viruses are a common cause of memory leaks, as malicious software often operates stealthily in the background, consuming system resources. These types of software can trigger memory leaks by running unwanted processes that occupy RAM or interfere with system operations, leading to slowdowns, crashes, and security risks.

Scanning your system for malware and viruses is essential to prevent these issues and maintain system stability. Here’s how you can perform a thorough scan on Windows 11/10 to remove any potential threats:

• Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Update & Security > Windows Security and select Virus & Threat Protection.

• Under Current Threats , click Quick Scan to perform a quick check of your system. This scan will review common locations where malware is known to hide.

  

For an additional layer of security, consider running a scan with a reputable third-party antivirus program. Programs such as Malwarebytes, Norton, or McAfee can provide deeper scans and specialized threat removal tools that complement Windows Security.

Way 8: Disable Runtime Broker

Runtime Broker is a Windows process that manages permissions for apps from the Microsoft Store. While it generally uses a minimal amount of RAM, certain situations can cause it to consume excessive memory, leading to memory leaks and system slowdowns. Disabling or limiting Runtime Broker can help free up system resources and prevent unnecessary memory usage, improving overall performance.

• Go to the Task Manager on Windows, and locate RunTime Broker.

• Right-click on RunTime Broker, and select End Task. It’ll immediately disable the runtime broker activity running in the foreground/background.

  

Part 3: FAQ

You can check for memory leaks by using the Task Manager to monitor high memory usage from specific processes. Tools like Windows Performance Monitor and Windows Memory Diagnostic can help identify problematic applications. Look for programs that continue to use more RAM over time without releasing it.

Replacing RAM won’t fix memory leaks, as the issue lies in software mismanagement, not the physical memory itself. However, adding more RAM can temporarily alleviate symptoms by increasing available resources. The best solution is to identify and fix the software or driver causing the leak.

Memory leaks can persist indefinitely if left unaddressed, as they result from software not releasing memory. They continue as long as the leaking application or service runs. Restarting the computer can temporarily clear memory, but the issue will recur if the underlying cause isn’t resolved.

Final Words

Memory leaks can severely impact your Windows system’s performance, causing slowdowns, crashes, and even data loss. Regular system maintenance, including updates, scanning for malware, and managing background processes, will help with memory leak fix. If you experience data loss due to memory leaks or unexpected crashes, consider using 4DDiG data recovery software. 4DDiG specializes in recovering lost or corrupted data quickly and efficiently with just one-click operation.