Illustrator "Not Enough Memory (RAM)" Error

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Free memory and disk space

   Copy steps
   1. Quit browsers, other Adobe apps and anything heavy
   2. Keep plenty of free space on the drive Illustrator uses (forum experts ask about disk space first)
   3. Restart Illustrator; users report this only helps temporarily, so continue below
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Set the scratch disk

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   1. Edit > Preferences > Plug-ins & Scratch Disks (Illustrator > Settings on Mac)
   2. Choose a fast drive with lots of free space as primary and, if possible, a second one
   3. Restart Illustrator
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Lighten the document

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   1. Use View > Outline (Ctrl+Y / Cmd+Y) while editing heavy artwork
   2. Object > Rasterize or Expand complex effects you will not change; embed or link huge images instead of pasting them
   3. Split a large file into several smaller files
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Isolate a feature and update

   Copy steps
   1. Run Safe Mode to see if the error stays; turn off the feature that triggers it (for example real-time drawing and shape editing)
   2. Update Illustrator: users reported the issue began with 30.2 and got worse around 30.7, so check for a newer build
   3. If it started after an update, install the previous version from Creative Cloud > Other versions
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Messages such as "There isn't enough memory", "The operation cannot complete because there isn't enough memory" or "System has run out of application memory", often even on machines with 24-128 GB of RAM.

Why it happens

• High memory use reported in Illustrator 2025/2026 builds, including on Apple Silicon Macs
• Complex artwork with many effects, gradient meshes, blends or huge embedded images
• Scratch disk drive nearly full
• Many other apps open at once
• A specific feature such as real-time drawing and shape tools triggering it

This guide also covers

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The same problem in other apps

All not loading, error messages & connection guides →

• Figma Plugins Not Working or Won't Load (Figma)
• Canva Not Loading or Stuck on White Screen (Canva)

Other Adobe Illustrator errors

• How to Cancel Adobe Illustrator Subscription (and the Early Termination Fee)
• Adobe Illustrator Keeps Crashing or Freezing
• Illustrator GPU Performance Error and "Not Enough GPU Memory"
• Why Is Adobe Illustrator So Slow and Laggy?
• Illustrator "File Is Damaged" or Can't Open AI File
• Illustrator Crashes or Errors When Saving
• Illustrator Missing Fonts Warning
• Illustrator Export Not Working or Export Fails