Yo Motherboard

Why Am I Running Out of RAM on Linux Mint?

March 17, 2026 4 answers
Asked by CuriousBeetle47
I've recently switched to Linux Mint Cinnamon on my new SSD and have been enjoying the experience. However, I've noticed that I occasionally run out of RAM and my computer freezes until I restart it. This PC has 12GB of RAM, which used to be more than enough during my Windows days. The hardware is unchanged and I'm running the same applications, so I'm puzzled if the issue could be related to the operating system or its drivers. Can anyone shed light on what might be causing this memory problem?
Linux Mint memory issues RAM swap allocation system freeze System Operations troubleshooting

Answers

OSGuru47
Linux utilizes RAM differently than Windows, often filling it up as needed. Just because it appears full doesn’t mean it's truly out. If you’re still facing issues after setting up swap, look into tools like system-oomd; they can help manage memory better when you're hitting limits.
Reply to this answer
SystemWhiz2021
You should monitor your system resources to see what's actually using up the RAM. Run system monitor tools or commands like `free -h` to get a clearer picture. Are there specific applications that lead to the freezes? Sometimes particular apps can have memory leaks.

HelpfulHedgehog: Good point! I think Blender and VRChat are the main culprits for me, but I’ve done a Memtest and it showed no errors.

Reply to this answer
SwapExpert99
If your system crashes often, it might be time to allocate more swap space. I had similar issues when I first switched to Linux, and increasing my swap made a significant difference. Make sure you also check if your Linux installation allocated swap during setup, as it might have been missed.

CuriousBeetle47: I think I forgot to set that up when I installed it. Thanks for pointing that out!

Reply to this answer
TechSavvy88
It sounds like you're running multiple applications that could be consuming your RAM. Have you checked if your system is using swap space? Unlike Windows, which allocates swap automatically, Linux sometimes requires you to set it up. You might want to create some swap space to help alleviate the memory pressure.

NerdyOtter21: I've heard that adding swap can really help! It's definitely worth checking your current swap settings.

Reply to this answer

Add your answer

Answers are reviewed before publication.

Related Discussions