We found this problem mostly to occur after a VMware software update or change in the application’s preferences. This is a very common error message and can be resolved using the methods listed below given that you don’t actually have enough memory to power on the virtual machine.
What Causes ‘Not Enough Physical Memory’ Error in VMware?
How to Fix ‘Not Enough Physical Memory Available’ in VMware?
Before proceeding with the solutions below, make sure your system has enough RAM to run VMware. If not, then add more RAM to your system and set your pagefile size at least 16GB.
1. Use Safe Mode or Clean Boot Windows
There can be applications that could be interfering in the proper operation of VMware, especially other virtual environment applications like Virtual Box etc. To rule that out, either use Windows built-in Safe Mode or clean boot Windows. If VMware is operating normally in the clean boot environment or Safe Mode, then try to find out the conflicting application and try to sort out the issue between the applications.
2. Uninstall Conflicting Windows update
Microsoft releases updates for its products to improve features and patch loopholes. But Microsoft has a known history of releasing buggy updates. If the VMware error of not enough physical memory has started to occur just after a Windows update, then uninstalling that update can do the trick for us. Warning: Disabling an update is not recommended as it can become a security hazard; proceed at your own risk. Remember that you have to uninstall the latest windows updates one by one and check VMware till you find out the problematic update. After uninstalling the problematic update, reinstall other updates and hide that particular update till the problem is resolved either by Microsoft or VMware.
3. Run VMware as Administrator
VMware needs unrestricted access to different system files, services, and resources. If Windows security is restricting VMware’s access to certain files, services and resources, then VMware will show the ‘Not enough Physical Memory’ error. In that case, running VMware with administrator privileges may solve the problem.
4. Update VMware to the Latest Build
New technologies are emerging day by day on the horizon of the I.T. world. Every software application is updated to keep up with these emerging technologies. If your host environment has been updated to the latest build but you are using an outdated version of VMware, then you may encounter the error message under discussion. In that case, updating VMware to the latest built may solve the problem. Usually, whenever there is an upgrade available, users get a prompt at the startup of VMware. Users can also use the Workstation user interface and select Help > Software Updates. But if you are having trouble in using VMware then follow the steps mentioned below.
5. Change VMware Settings to Optimal
VMware settings allow a user to tweak the system as per their liking. But during this process, users sometimes set the VMware to non-optimal settings which will ultimately cause VMware to show the error of not having enough physical memory. In the present scenario, you should select from the second or third option as per your state but we will recommend using the third option.
6. Modify the config.ini file
If nothing has worked for you so far, then adding or changing the configuration file to restrict VMware Workstation to use a percentage of the host’s available RAM might solve the problem. This will ensure that the VM will use only 75% of the host’s RAM. and open the config.ini file. If it is not there then create one. Then Save the file and restart your system.
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