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Info: This bug was fixed on August 12th 2014 with the release of the month's Patch Tuesday. Make sure to install every update available for your system, if you're having the problem described on this thread.
Hello, I've been facing a "tough" problem with my computer running Windows 8.1 x64. I did not upgrade from Windows 8, I did a clean install and for the past month, everytime I play some of the new 2013 games (Assassin's Creed Black Flag, Battlefield 4, CoD:Ghosts etc.), I'm constantly getting a "low memory" warning from time to time.
So, giving that my laptop is capable of running these games (Asus N56VZ - Intel Core i7, Intel HD 4000 + Nvidia GT650 M, 6GB DDR3, 750GB 7200rpm, Full-HD 15,6" screen), I began searching for an answer. Here's what I've concluded:
When the game (eg: Battlefield 4) opens, the memory consumption begins to rise, and rise, and rise, non stop, until the system doesn't have more memory available and triggers the low memory warning. However, in the exact moment that I "alt+tab" out of game OR the memory warning does it for me, all of the occupied memory is emptied instantly, like magic!
I was able to "understand" this using Process Explorer by MS (sysinternals), heres a screenshot that shows the "climbing" and the sudden drops:
I cant really discover where all this memory is being allocated/used, and I have no idea on whats causing this. I also don't know if this is Windows-related, device-related or driver-related.
Is anyone facing this as well?
[UPDATE DECEMBER 9th] This issue is triggered when the resolution in which the games are being played differs from the resolution configured on Windows.
If you are playing a game, say, in 1366x768, you need to change the system resolution to the same 1366x768 BEFORE opening the game. That will stop the excessive memory consumption and you'll be able to play the game fine.
My system is in Portuguese, but I think it's easy to get it:
This also concludes that the issue is Windows-related and not driver related, so we'll have to wait for Microsoft to patch it. Meanwhile, remember to change your resolution when you're going to play.
[UPDATE APRIL 26th 2014]
According to some Intel folks at communities.intel.com (http://is.gd/71Vha2), Microsoft has confirmed the issue with Windows 8.1 in an internal email. It resides - as it was explained - on the DWM (Desktop Window Manager) which triggers a memory leak when running fullscreen games with a resolution different than the desktop resolution.
The memory leak fills the system memory and page file with junk until there's no more memory available.
We assume Microsoft is already working on a fix for this, altough we never heard anything "official" from them regarding the issue.
[UPDATE AUGUST 14th 2014]
The problem has been finally fixed by Microsoft with the release of the August updates on Aug. 12th.
Make sure to install every single update available - including the optional ones - and you'll no longer receive low-memory warnings when running fullscreen games/apps with different resolution/refresh rate.
Also make sure you're using the latest drivers available for your Intel and/or Nvidia GPU (it might be important).
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
I might be a bit cynical but I looked through all the support KB's from the updates today and couldn't find anything that related to fixing this issue (unless I'm missing something)...
Yesterday i have made the update and i found via the link also no description, but...
Yah!, after nearly 10 months, microsoft have now solved this bug.
With the latest patches (Patch Day 12.08.2014, also install the optional Updates),
all different resolutions and framerates works well.
Hi all,
I've just asked Sharath Srinivasa to provide us with an update on their root cause analysis investigations in the forum over at: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/profile/defd7d05-7b67-451f-be46-f43fa1227635
It's disappointing that Microsoft claim that the issue is "Answered" when of course it's far from it. Hopefully we'll have an update shortly, though it also looks like Kevin @ Intel is in parallel working on a new set of drivers? https://communities.intel.com/thread/49139?start=60&tstart=0
Bru20, I can't speak for everyone else but I've only ever encountered the error when playing games in full screen. As I understand the issue, it involves a memory leak which is only present when playing games in full screen, and resolves itself when you're kicked back out of full screen mode to the desktop. If you're getting the error when you're running everyday tasks (i.e. web browsing, MS Office, etc.) outside of a full screen environment then it could be another issue?
Extremely frustrating; hopefully we'll have a fix shortly.
I know this thread is related to the low memory error when playing games but what about experiencing the issue at other times? I see many other threads and posts about the low memory error in general and was wondering if any of the learning from this thread can be used?
Would anyone familiar with the issue agree that it seems to me it is more widespread then just when playing games?
In my case after having my laptop for five months I have now started to get the low memory warning when of course there is plenty of memory available. It is a fairly basic laptop with Intel HD graphics and I do not play games.
I don't think anything recently changed on the machine that would have brought on the issue. Seeing as how evidence points to Intel graphics drivers (at least for gaming related errors) I will say that I did install a new Intel HD graphics driver (10.18.10.3621) via Windows Update in May but like I said only recently have I started experiencing this error.
Feel free to link to non gaming related low memory warning threads, but I probably have seen them.
Has anyone tried running games in "Compatibility Mode for Windows 7"? I think I read earlier in this thread or another Microsoft one that a user had some luck with that... If so that might be an easier temporary fix than changing the resolution each time!
I had the exact same problem. It seems that even the monitor frequency has to be set exactly as you have set in the game options. It was very helpful thanks!!!
