How to Fix Microsoft Outlook Out of Memory or System Resources Issues
Key Notes
- Reduce the memory cache size in Registry Editor.
- Terminate background applications consuming resources.
- Utilize Outlook’s built-in Inbox Repair Tool.
Mastering the Fix: Resolving Out of Memory or System Resources Error in Outlook
Experiencing the annoying “Out of memory or system resources” error while using Microsoft Outlook can disrupt your workflow significantly. This guide dives into actionable steps to restore efficiency and enhance your Outlook experience.
Detailed Solutions to Fix Outlook Memory Errors
Step 1: Adjust the Memory Cache Size
Begin by reducing the memory cache size of the Outlook data files to alleviate the error.
1.1: Press Win+S to open the search box.
1.2: Type “ regedit ” and open the “ Registry Editor ”.
1.3: Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\YourVersion\Outlook\PST
1.4: Right-click on “ PST ” in the left panel, select “ New> ”, then choose “ DWORD (32-bit) Value ”.
1.5: Name the new entry “ UseLegacyCacheSize ”.
1.6: Double-click on this entry to modify it, setting its value to “ 1 ”.Click “ OK ”.
Pro Tip: Always backup your registry before making changes to avoid system issues.
After finishing these adjustments, exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Relaunch Outlook to check if the issue is resolved.
Step 2: End Resource-Intensive Applications
Close unnecessary background applications to free up system resources. This helps Outlook run more smoothly.
2.1: Press Win+X and select “ Task Manager ”.
2.2: In the Task Manager, identify applications consuming high CPU, RAM, or Disk resources.
2.3: Right-click on these applications (excluding Outlook) and select “ End Task ”.
Reopen Outlook once these background processes have been terminated.
Step 3: Increase Memory Heap Size
If cache size adjustments don’t resolve the issue, increasing the memory heap size might help.
3.1: Open the Windows search, type “ regedit ”, and launch “ Registry Editor ”.
3.2: Navigate to this registry path and press Enter:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Messaging Subsystem
3.3: Right-click “ Windows Messaging Subsystem ”, select “ New> ” > “ DWORD (32-bit) Value ”.
3.4: Name it “ SharedMemMaxSize ”, then double-click to modify and set it to “ 300000 ”.
3.5: Create a new key named “ Applications ” under the same parent key.
3.6: Right-click “ Applications ”, create a key named “ Outlook ”.
3.7: In the “ Outlook ” key, create another DWORD named “ SharedMemMaxSize ”, and set its value to “ 300000 ”.
This change will require a system restart to take effect.
Step 4: Repair the Outlook Inbox
Use the built-in Inbox Repair Tool to fix any inbox-related issues that might be causing errors.
4.1: Open File Explorer using Win+E.
4.2: Navigate to:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16.
4.3: Locate and run the “ SCANPST. EXE ” application.
4.4: Click “ Start ” in the Outlook Inbox Repair Tool window.
4.5: Check the option to “ Make backup of scanned file before repairing ” and click “ Repair ” after the scan is done.
Once the repair is complete, start Outlook again to check the fix.
Step 5: Delete Unnecessary Outlook Data Files
Removing large, unnecessary.pst files can help alleviate memory errors in Outlook.
5.1: Search for “ control ” and open the Control Panel.
5.2: Change the “View by” option to “ Small icons ” and click on “ Mail (Microsoft Outlook) ”.
5.3: Click “ Data Files… ” to access the list of data files.
5.4: Select the unnecessary.pst file and click “ Remove ” to delete it.
5.5: Confirm the deletion by clicking “ Yes ” on the warning message.
Once the unwanted files are deleted, reopen Outlook for improved performance.
Step 6: Use the Office Repair Tool
Running the Office repair tool can resolve various Outlook issues related to system resources.
6.1: Open the search box, type “ appwiz.cpl ”, and hit Enter.
6.2: In the Programs and Features window, find Microsoft Office and right-click it, selecting “ Change ”.
6.3: Choose the “ Quick Repair ” option and follow the prompts.
Once finished, restart Outlook and test to ensure the issue has been resolved.
Additional Tips
- Clearing up space on your hard drive can improve overall system performance.
- Regularly archiving old emails can help reduce the size of Outlook data files.
- Ensure your Outlook and Windows operating system are up to date.
Summary
In conclusion, encountering the “Out of memory or system resources” error in Microsoft Outlook can be frustrating. However, by adjusting cache settings, closing resource-heavy applications, increasing memory heap size, repairing the inbox, deleting unnecessary data files, and utilizing the Office repair tool, you can effectively resolve these issues and restore Outlook’s performance.
Conclusion
Don’t let memory-related errors hinder your productivity in Outlook. Follow these practical solutions to manage system resources efficiently and maintain an optimal workflow. If issues persist, consider seeking help from IT professionals for deeper system diagnostics.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do I check the memory usage of Outlook?
To check the memory usage, open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, and look for Outlook under the Processes tab.
What should I do if these fixes do not work?
If the issues persist, consider reinstalling Outlook or contacting Microsoft Support for extensive diagnostics.