RAM vanishing into the abyss
RAM vanishing into the abyss
I have 32GB RAM, but about half of it remains unused. I think WSL might be the cause, though I uninstalled it completely. I can't see where the memory is being consumed. When I run a game, it uses nearly all the available RAM even if the game only needs a few gigabytes. I don't know what's happening.
In short, there might be defective RAM, memory leaks caused by drivers or software, system restrictions, or malware—especially if RAM isn't properly tracked in Task Manager and is linked with high hard faults or seconds.
Suggested checks:
- Perform a detailed memory test using tools like MemTest86 or Windows Memory Diagnostic.
- Try launching Windows in Safe Mode to see if the problem persists; this can point to third-party drivers or software.
- Employ advanced monitoring solutions (such as Sysinternals RAMMap or Process Explorer) to analyze kernel-paged and nonpaged memory usage, and verify if Windows flags unusual standby or locked memory not visible in standard Task Manager.
Additional tips:
- Search for malware or rootkits using multiple security programs (e.g., Windows Defender, Malwarebytes).
- Review recent driver or software updates, particularly for graphics or chipset drivers—some users report AMD Adrenaline as a potential source.
- Examine "Resource Monitor" or the "Details" section in Task Manager to identify any hidden processes that might be causing the issue.