Dealing with error codes on Facebook can be frustrating, but the “out of memory” error is one of the most common. This error typically occurs when the Facebook app or website is trying to load too much data at once, exceeding the available memory on your device or browser. The good news is that this error can often be easily fixed by freeing up space or resetting the app. Here are some quick solutions to try when you see the Facebook “out of memory” error.
Clear Cache and Data
One of the easiest ways to fix Facebook memory errors is by clearing the cache and app data. The Facebook app stores temporary internet files and data on your device which can build up over time, eventually leading to performance issues. Here’s how to clear cache and data:
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Facebook > Clear Cache and offload app, then reinstall
- On Computer: Clear browser cookies and cache
Deleting this temporary stored data frees up memory and often resolves memory errors. Make sure to re-open Facebook afterward for the changes to take effect.
Close Background Apps and Tabs
Another common trigger for Facebook memory issues is having too many other apps and browser tabs running in the background. Especially on mobile, having multiple apps open strains your device’s RAM (random access memory). Try closing out of all other apps before opening Facebook to free up additional memory. On desktop browsers, limit the number of open tabs.
Update the Facebook App
An outdated version of the Facebook app may also be the culprit behind memory error codes. Facebook regularly releases new app versions with bug fixes and performance upgrades. To ensure you’re running the latest optimized version, check for app updates:
- On iPhone: App Store > Updates > Check for Facebook app update
- On Android: Google Play Store > My Apps > Check for Facebook update
Updating to the latest version can resolve compatibility bugs leading to memory crashes.
Restart Your Device
In some cases, simply restarting your device or computer can clear upFacebook memory issues. Restarting clears out the current memory, closes all open apps, and reloads the device into a fresh state. If basic steps like clearing cache haven’t worked, try restarting your phone or computer and check if Facebook works properly again without any error codes.
Update Your Browser
When accessing Facebook on a web browser, using an outdated browser version can also trigger memory crashes. Make sure you’re using the latest version of browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge for the best performance. Outdated browsers may struggle with memory demands from complex websites like Facebook.
Update Your Device Software
Along with app updates, keeping your device’s operating system up to date is key to avoiding memory errors. Facebook designs its app to work best with the latest iOS and Android software. Using an outdated OS can lead to compatibility issues, so install the latest OS updates on your device or computer:
- iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update
- Android: Settings > System > System Update
- Windows: Settings > Update & Security > Check for Updates
- Mac: System Preferences > Software Update
Check Your Internet Connection
Unstable internet connections can also interfere with Facebook’s ability to load properly and cause memory crashes. Check that you have a steady, high-speed internet connection when trying to access Facebook. Switch from WiFi to mobile data or vice versa to test if one network is faster and more reliable. Using public WiFi networks can be particularly prone to connection drops that lead to errors.
Reset Your Router
In line with internet connectivity issues, a router reset can help clear up Facebook memory problems if they stem from your home network. Resetting your router to factory default settings clears out any bugs, refreshes the connection, and can improve network stability:
- Login to your router administration page (192.168.0.1)
- Find the router reset option and choose to reset (varies by brand/model)
- Wait for the router to restart fully
- Reconnect devices to the WiFi network
Uninstall and Reinstall the App
If you’ve tried all other troubleshooting steps without success, uninstalling and reinstalling the Facebook app may be necessary to fix persistent memory crashes. This gives you a clean slate to eliminate any corrupted files or cached data from the app install. Follow the uninstall process and re-download a fresh copy of the Facebook app from the app store.
Disable Problematic Browser Extensions
Browser extensions like ad blockers can sometimes interfere with Facebook’s functionality and cause memory overloads. Try disabling any browser extensions and restarting the browser to see if that resolves the issue when accessing Facebook in desktop browsers.
Scan Device for Malware
In rarer cases, device malware or viruses could be the culprit behind Facebook memory crashes. Run security scans using reliable antivirus software to check for and remove any malicious programs hogging device resources and causing the error.
Free Up Storage Space
Limited free storage space on your device can also contribute to the memory resources available for Facebook. Try deleting unused apps and files to free up storage capacity. Maintaining at least 100MB or more of available space is ideal if you frequently use memory-intensive apps like Facebook.
Close Memory-Intensive Programs
Check if you have any other apps or programs running that use significant memory resources, like gaming or video streaming apps. Close out of them before launching Facebook to maximize available device memory. Too many high-memory programs at once can lead to crashes.
Restart Your Phone
One quick fix to try is restarting your phone, as this will clear out any apps or processes currently running in the background. To restart an iPhone, hold down the side or volume button and slider to power off. For Android, hold down the power button and tap Restart. Restarting will reload the device and kill background apps that may be hogging memory.
Force Stop Facebook App
You can also try force stopping just the Facebook app itself through your phone’s settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Facebook > Force Stop. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Force Stop. Tapping Force Stop closes out of the app and restarts it fresh, which may resolve any memory issues.
Update Phone Software
Make sure your phone’s operating system is up to date, as Facebook may have issues running on outdated software. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update to update iOS. On Android, go to Settings > System > System update. Keeping your OS version current ensures compatibility with apps.
Reinstall Facebook App
If force stopping Facebook didn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app. This gives you a clean slate, removing any corrupted data that may be causing crashes. On iPhone, hold down the Facebook icon until it jiggles, then tap the X to delete. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Uninstall. Then reinstall a fresh copy from the app store.
Restart Your Router
Connectivity issues with your WiFi router can also interfere with Facebook’s performance. The easiest fix is simply restarting your router to refresh the connections. Unplug the router’s power cable for one minute, then plug back in. Allow a few minutes for the router to reboot and re-establish the WiFi network. Then reconnect your phone.
Clear Browser Cache and Data
If accessing Facebook in a mobile browser, try clearing out the browser’s history, cache and data. This removes any temporary files that may be causing crashes. In Chrome for Android, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data. On iPhone, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Data.
Update Facebook App
Downloading the latest version of the Facebook app may also remedy any memory bugs. In the App Store on iPhone or Play Store on Android, search for Facebook and check if any updates are available. Tap Update to download the newest version, which may have fixed memory issues.
Close Background Apps
Try closing out of any apps running in the background before launching Facebook, as too many can overload available memory. Double tap the Home button on iPhone or Recents button on Android to view background apps. Swipe up on each app preview to close it out.
Check Connection Speed
Slow or unstable internet could potentially cause Facebook crashes. Check the connection speed on your phone – switch between WiFi and mobile data if needed. Move closer to your router, or reset modem/router if connection is very slow. Faster, more reliable connectivity can prevent errors.
Update Your Phone’s Operating System
Make sure your phone is running the latest OS version available. Facebook may have compatibility issues on outdated operating systems. On iPhones, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest iOS update. On Android phones, go to Settings > System > System update and update to the newest Android OS version.
Delete and Reinstall Facebook App
If you keep seeing the out of memory error, deleting and reinstalling the Facebook app can help. This gives you a clean slate, removing any corrupted files that may be causing crashes. On an iPhone, press and hold the Facebook icon until the icons shake, then tap the X to delete. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Facebook and tap Uninstall. Then install a fresh copy from the app store.
Force Close Other Apps
Too many apps running in the background can consume available memory needed for Facebook. Double tap the Home button on an iPhone or Recents button on Android to see currently running apps. Swipe up on each app preview to force close it before launching Facebook.
Check Available Storage Space
If your phone is low on storage space, it can lead to out of memory errors. Try deleting unused apps, photos and files to free up available memory. At least 100-200MB of free space is recommended. You can check storage under Settings > General > iPhone Storage on iOS or Settings > Storage on Android.
Disable Browser Extensions
If accessing Facebook through a mobile browser, try disabling any extensions or add-ons installed. These may conflict and cause memory issues. In Chrome for Android, tap the 3-dot menu > Settings > Site Settings > Extensions and turn off any for facebook.com. In iOS Safari, ensure content blockers are disabled.
Reset Network Settings
As a last resort, resetting your phone’s network settings may resolve persistent Facebook memory crashes related to connectivity issues. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will wipe all WiFi passwords and connections, so you’ll need to rejoin networks.
Conclusion
In summary, the Facebook “out of memory” error typically occurs when the app tries to load too much data for the device’s available memory to handle. Clearing app cache/data, closing background apps, updating software, reinstalling the app, freeing up storage space, and resetting network settings are all effective troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue. With the app properly restarted and device memory freed up, Facebook should be able to run normally without further memory crashes.
Following the solutions outlined, you should be able to get Facebook working again quickly whenever those pesky out of memory errors pop up. Be sure to keep apps updated and operating systems current to avoidcompatibility bugs. Manage memory usage from too many background apps or browser tabs. And clear temporary cached data to give Facebook a fresh start.
With proactive device maintenance and smart memory management, the Facebook app can continue providing access to connect with friends and family without performance issues. Don’t let obscure error codes prevent you from enjoying everything Facebook has to offer. Quickly apply these troubleshooting tips to get back up and running, without that annoying “out of memory” crash getting in the way.
More Technical Details on Facebook’s Out of Memory Error
For those wanting a more technical explanation of Facebook’s out of memory error, here are some additional details on what causes it and how the app memory management works:
Memory Limits on Mobile Devices
Facebook’s mobile apps are dealing with strict memory limitations on phones and tablets. These mobile operating systems impose limits on how much memory any single app can use in the background or foreground:
- iOS apps are restricted to around 500 MB of memory (varies by device)
- Android apps have a memory level cap set by the phone OEM, often around 1 GB
With these constrained memory allowances, apps need to carefully manage their memory usage. If not coded efficiently, they can easily hit these limits and crash.
Memory Leaks
The Facebook app is complex with many dynamic functions, meaning it consumes a lot of memory. Coding bugs can cause memory leaks, where the app allocates memory but fails to release it when no longer needed. Over time, these memory leaks accumulate and eventually exhaust the app’s available memory.
Loading High-Resolution Images and Video
A core function of Facebook is viewing photos and videos in the app. As users post higher resolution images and longer videos, loading and decoding these requires large amounts of memory. Facebook’s image and video caches can quickly fill up available memory limits.
Performance Differences on Low-Memory Devices
Phones with less than 2GB of RAM are more prone to seeing Facebook out of memory errors. With many background services and other apps running, there’s less free memory available for Facebook itself. In contrast, phones with 4GB+ RAM have much more headroom.
Memory Fragmentation
As memory is allocated, deallocated, and allocated again over the course of app usage, it can become fragmented. Even if enough total free memory exists, fragmented memory prevents large contiguous blocks being available for loading images/videos.
Web Browser Memory Limits
When accessing Facebook in a mobile web browser, similar memory constraints apply. Mobile browsers have set limits on how much memory a web page can use before freezing or crashing:
- Chrome for Android: ~512 MB
- Safari for iOS: ~300 MB
The Facebook website uses significant memory for its interactive features and media content. On lower-memory devices, browsers can hit limits and Facebook tabs crash.
Summary
In summary, the Facebook app has to carefully manage memory to function smoothly within the tight memory constraints of mobile operating systems. Memory leaks, decoding media files, fragmentation, and browser limitations can all contribute to Facebook exceeding available memory and throwing an out of memory error. Understanding these technical causes helps explain why the troubleshooting steps outlined earlier are effective at resolving issues.
With proactive management – closing apps, updating software, clearing cache, freeing disk space, using higher memory devices – you can avoid or fix the dreaded Facebook out of memory crashes. The tips provided offer actionable solutions to get Facebook working again quickly when those errors pop up so you can get back to connecting with friends.