Error 0xc0000017, "Not enough virtual memory or paging file quota"

This code is Windows saying a program asked for memory and there was not enough virtual memory or paging file space left to give it. Microsoft's name for it is STATUS_NO_MEMORY. It happens when too many programs run at once, when the page file is too small or disabled, when the system drive is nearly full, or when a program leaks memory without releasing it.

The fix, in order

  1. Close programs you are not using, then restart the PC. A restart clears every leaked allocation, and if the error goes away and stays away, it was a one-off shortage rather than a leak.
  2. Free disk space on the system drive. The page file lives on that drive, so free space with Storage Sense or by removing large files, and keep at least 10 percent of the drive free.
  3. Restore the page file to system managed size. Open System, Advanced system settings, Performance Settings, Advanced, Virtual memory, tick Automatically manage paging file size for all drives, and restart. A fixed or disabled page file is a common cause of this exact error.
  4. Open Task Manager and find the hog. Sort by Memory and look for a process whose memory use keeps climbing without stopping, which is the signature of a leak. Close it, and update or reinstall that program.
  5. Update drivers and Windows. Faulty drivers can leak memory, so get the latest versions from the PC or hardware maker's support page and install any pending Windows updates.
  6. Test the RAM. Search for Windows Memory Diagnostic, run it, and restart when asked. Faulty RAM can reduce the usable memory Windows sees and trigger errors that look like shortages.
  7. Repair Windows files. In an admin Command Prompt run sfc /scannow, then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
Do not use RAM booster or memory cleaner apps to fix this. They free memory by forcing Windows to page out programs you are using, which makes the PC slower, and they cannot fix a leak or a page file that is too small. Find the leaking program or fix the page file instead.

If it still happens

If the error returns a few hours after every restart, a driver or a background program is leaking, so watch Task Manager over time to spot the process whose memory grows, then update or remove it. If Task Manager shows memory above 90 percent during normal use, the PC genuinely needs more RAM, so check how much is installed and whether the board has a free slot before buying.

Common questions

Is 0xc0000017 the same as 0xc000009a? They are close but not the same. 0xc0000017 means virtual memory or paging file space ran out, while 0xc000009a means some system resource ran out, which can be memory but can also be handles or pool. The fixes overlap, since closing programs, freeing disk space, and fixing leaks help both.

Will a bigger page file fix 0xc0000017? It helps when the cause is a page file that is too small or disabled, and restoring it to system managed size is the right first step. But a page file cannot fix a program that leaks memory without stopping, since that program will eventually fill any page file you give it.

How much RAM do I need to avoid 0xc0000017? There is no single number, it depends on what you run. Light desktop use is usually fine on 8 GB, while heavy multitasking, large games, and editing work need 16 GB or more. If Task Manager shows memory above 90 percent during normal use, the PC genuinely needs more RAM.

Related errors

Error 0xc000009a · Error 0xc0000006 · Error 0xc0000142

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