A Memory Leak occurs when applications or processes fail to effectively release memory after it is no longer needed. This results in decreased performance, applications freezing or crashing, slowdowns, high RAM usage, and degraded system stability. Windows 11 users occasionally encounter memory leaks, but fortunately, many of these issues can be resolved through simple troubleshooting steps.
Below, we provide a detailed, step-by-step guide to identify and fix memory leak issues on Windows 11:
Step 1: Identify the Memory Leak Issue on Your Windows 11 Computer
Confirm if you indeed have a memory leak:
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open the Task Manager. - Switch to the Processes tab.
- Click on the Memory header to sort processes by memory consumption.
- Note: If particular programs or processes continually consume increasing amounts of memory (GBs and percentages steadily rising even when idle), it indicates a memory leak.
Step 2: Restart Your Computer (Temporary Solution)
Sometimes, restarting is the quickest way to temporarily clear memory leaks.
- Method A: Click
Start→Power→ chooseRestart - Method B: Open the Run box (
Windows + R), typeshutdown /r→ HitEnter
Restarting resets the memory allocations, temporarily solving memory leak issues.
Step 3: Update Windows 11 to the Latest Version
Windows updates often contain fixes for memory leaks and stability improvements.
- Navigate to
Settings(Win + I). - Click on Windows Update (left side).
- Click on Check for updates and install all available updates.
- Restart your computer after updates are installation.
Step 4: Check and Repair System Files Using SFC and DISM
Corrupted system files often cause memory leaks. Use built-in tools to repair your system files:
Run System File Checker (SFC):
- Press Windows + S, type
cmd - Right-click Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator.
- Type the following command and press
Enter:
sfc /scannow
- Wait until the process completes (100% verification).
Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM):
Run each command separately (pressing Enter after each):
cmd
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your PC after the commands complete.
Step 5: Identify Problematic Applications and Processes
Some installed applications or drivers could cause memory leaks.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Identify processes or apps that take a continuously rising amount of RAM.
- Note down these processes/applications to search further online for their issues.
Action steps:
- Close applications:
- Close unnecessary apps and observe if memory usage stabilizes.
- Uninstall problematic software:
Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Select problematic app → Uninstall
Step 6: Update and Check Device Drivers
Faulty or outdated drivers are a common source of memory leaks.
How to update drivers on Windows 11:
- Right-click the Start Menu, choose Device Manager.
- Expand categories (graphics adapter, audio, network adapters, etc.).
- Right-click a driver, select Update driver → choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Complete the installations one by one and reboot.
Alternatively check manufacturer’s website for driver updates:
- Visit the hardware manufacturer’s official website (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, HP, Lenovo, Dell, etc.) and download Windows 11 compatible drivers.
Step 7: Adjust Your Windows 11 Virtual Memory Settings (Paging File)
Virtual memory settings help relieve pressure from system RAM.
- Press Windows + R, type
sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. - Navigate to the Advanced tab and click Settings under "Performance" section.
- Go to the again Advanced tab and select Change under the Virtual Memory section.
- Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives”.
- Select your system drive (typically
C:), choose the custom size option. - Recommended size:
- Initial size: Enter value equal to size recommended at the bottom.
- Maximum size: Typically 1.5 – 3 times the amount of RAM installed on your system. (Example: If you have 8GB RAM, a range of approximately 8–24GB virtual memory is safe.)
- Click Set → OK, reboot the PC.
Step 8: Disable Startup Programs on Windows
Too many startup programs consume system resources and may cause memory leak symptoms.
- Go to Task Manager (
Ctrl+Shift+Esc) → Startup tab - Right-click unnecessary apps and disable them to speed up startup and lower memory usage.
Step 9: Perform an Antivirus Scan or Anti-malware Check
System infections or malware can cause higher memory usage.
- Open Windows Security (type
"Windows Security"in search), then:- Go to Virus & threat protection → Quick scan or Full scan.
- Alternatively, use third-party AV software or anti-malware like Malwarebytes to scan and clean infections.
Step 10: Disable SysMain (Superfetch) Feature if Problematic
The Windows SysMain (Superfetch) feature occasionally leads to memory leak issues.
- Open Services (type
services.mscin Windows search). - Locate
SysMainservice → double-click to open. - Click Stop to halt it temporarily and change startup type to Disabled if issues persist.
- Click Apply → OK, then restart your system and monitor memory usage.
Step 11: Consider Resetting or Reinstalling Windows 11 (Last option)
Important: If nothing above works and you’re still encountering persistent memory leaks, resetting or reinstalling Windows 11 may be the only option left:
- Go to:
Settings → System → Recovery → Reset PCto get a fresh start.- Choose Keep my files (keeps personal data but reinstalls Windows and removes apps)
- Or Remove everything (complete fresh install, ensure backup prior to resetting).
Step 12: Contact Microsoft Support or Tech Specialist (If Required)
If your memory leak issue persists after following all steps, it may be a deeper issue with hardware or an unknown system conflict.
- Consider contacting Microsoft Support or a professional technician for further examination and resolution.
Precautions and Final Recommendations:
- Always have the latest Windows 11 updates.
- Keep hardware drivers updated.
- Regularly scan your system for malware.
- Close unnecessary programs and browser tabs throughout daily use.
By carefully following these detailed guidelines provided above, the Windows 11 memory leak problem should be resolved effectively, enhancing your system’s performance and stability.
