A memory leak happens when an app or driver keeps using more and more RAM without releasing it, until your PC slows down or warns that it’s low on memory. To fix a memory leak in Windows 11, first find the cause: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click the Memory column to sort by memory use, and watch for a process whose memory keeps climbing over time. Close or restart that app, then update it (or its driver) to get the developer’s fix. Restarting your PC clears any leak temporarily, and installing Windows and driver updates fixes most leaks for good.
Below is how to confirm a leak, the fixes in order, and how to tell a leak apart from a PC that simply needs more RAM.
Signs of a memory leak
- Your PC is fast after a restart but gets slower the longer it runs.
- Task Manager shows memory usage creeping up even when you aren’t opening new apps.
- One process uses far more memory than normal, and the number keeps growing.
- You see “Your computer is low on memory” warnings, or apps crash with out-of-memory errors.
Step 1: Find the app that’s leaking memory
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- On the Processes page, click the Memory column header to sort by memory use.
- Note the top few processes and their memory, then check again after 10 to 30 minutes of normal use.
- A process whose memory keeps growing, even when you’re not doing much in it, is the likely leak.
For more detail, open Resource Monitor (search Start for it) and click the Memory tab. The Commit and Working Set columns show how much each process is holding. A web browser with many tabs using a lot of memory is normal. Memory that climbs steadily with the same tabs open is not.
Step 2: Close or restart the leaking app
- Save your work in that app.
- In Task Manager, right-click the process and choose End task.
- Reopen the app. Its memory use should drop back to normal, at least for a while.
If memory is high but no single app stands out, restart your PC. This clears leaks in drivers and Windows services too.
Step 3: Update the app, drivers, and Windows
- Update the app from its own update menu, the Microsoft Store, or the developer’s website. Leaks are bugs, and updates often fix them.
- Update Windows in Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Also check Advanced options > Optional updates for driver updates.
- Update graphics, network, and audio drivers from your PC maker or the hardware maker. Driver leaks often show up as high memory in System or Non-paged pool on Task Manager’s Performance > Memory page.
Step 4: Stop unnecessary startup apps
- In Task Manager, click Startup apps.
- Right-click apps you don’t need running all the time and choose Disable.
- Restart and check whether memory stays stable.
Step 5: Scan for malware
Some malware runs quietly and uses memory. Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, choose Full scan, and click Scan now.
Step 6: Check your RAM and virtual memory
- Test RAM: Search Start for Windows Memory Diagnostic, choose Restart now and check for problems, and review the results after Windows restarts. Faulty RAM can cause crashes that look like memory problems.
- Virtual memory: Make sure the page file is managed automatically. Press Windows key + R, type sysdm.cpl, go to Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced > Change, and check Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- Repair system files: Run
sfc /scannowin an administrator Terminal. See how to run System File Checker.
Memory leak or not enough RAM?
| Memory leak | Not enough RAM |
|---|---|
| Memory use grows over hours with the same apps open | Memory is high as soon as you open your usual apps |
| Restarting fixes it temporarily | Restarting doesn’t help much |
| One process’s memory keeps rising | Many apps each use a normal amount |
| Fix: update or replace the leaking app or driver | Fix: close apps, use fewer browser tabs, or add RAM |
Frequently asked questions
Is high memory usage in Windows 11 always a leak?
No. Windows uses free memory for caching to make things faster, and it releases that memory when apps need it. It’s only a leak if one process keeps growing without releasing memory.
Do RAM cleaner apps help?
Generally not. They force memory to be released, which can make your PC slower as Windows reloads data. Fixing the leaking app is the real solution.
Can a memory leak damage my PC?
No. It can cause slowdowns, crashes, or lost unsaved work, but it doesn’t harm hardware. Restarting clears it.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.