4 Ways to Fix DirectX ‘Could Not Allocate Sufficient Memory’ Error on Windows 11

Quick Fixes

• Increase the Paging file size under Advanced System Settings > Performance > Virtual memory.
• Launch the Disk Cleanup utility to clear the DirectX Shader cache manually.

Common Fixes

• Launch the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool: Press the Windows key, search Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, and click to open it. Select ‘Restart now and check for problems (Recommended)’ and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Switch to a lower in-game graphic setting: Reduce the graphic quality by accessing the in-game settings.
• Update DirectX and Windows 11: The latest DirectX 12 Ultimate comes included with the Windows Update. Press the Windows + I shortcut to open Settings, select Windows Update, and install available updates.

Fix 1: Increase the Paging File Size

Windows kernel uses the paging file size for carrying out virtual memory operations. Increasing the paging file size boosts the virtual memory, eliminating the DirectX ‘Could not allocate sufficient memory’ error on Windows 11.

Step 1: Press the Windows key > search View advanced system settings > click to open it.

Step 2: Switch to the Advanced tab > click Settings under Performance.

Step 3: Select Change under the Virtual memory section.

Step 4: Uncheck Automatically managing paging file size for all drives, highlight your desired drive, enable Custom size, and set your preferred Initial and Maximum size.

Note: The initial size should be 1.5 times the size of your RAM, and the maximum size can be up to 3 times the size of your RAM.

Step 5: Select Set to apply changes and click OK.

Fix 2: Clear the DirectX Cache

A corrupt DirectX cache can often create an insufficient memory allocation error on Windows 11. Clearing it manually should fix the issue.

Step 1: Press the Windows key > search Disk Cleanup > click to open it.

Step 2: Select your Windows installation drive > click OK.

Step 3: Check DirectX Shader Cache in the list > click OK to remove it. Select Delete Files when prompted to confirm the action.

Fix 3: Update or Reinstall the Graphics Driver

A corrupt cache and an obsolete graphic driver are common causes of DirectX’s ‘Could not allocate sufficient memory’ error. Update it manually to restore normalcy.

Step 1: Right-click the Start icon to open the Power User Menu and select Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand Display adapters, right-click your graphic driver, and select Update driver.

If the error persists, uninstall the driver using Uninstall device and restart your PC to let Windows 11 install it afresh.

Fix 4: Underclock the Chipset

If nothing works, you can underclock your CPU by accessing the BIOS settings. This decreases resource consumption and fixes the DirectX insufficient memory allocation error.

Caution: Reducing the CPU clock frequency may cause voltage fluctuations, making the processor unstable.

Step 1: Press the Windows + X shortcut to open the Power user Menu, select Shut down or sign out, and click Restart.

Step 2: Open the BIOS setup by pressing the dedicated key ( e.g., F2 ) at the startup.

Step 3: Locate the CPU Clock Ratio or CPU Multiplier, lower its existing value, and save changes.

Note: These settings may differ on your Chipset.