Many laptops and desktops rely on the integrated GPU for video loading, video rendering, and more. Many of my colleagues have complained about the “GPU memory is full”error on Windows computers. We need to understand the difference between integrated and dedicated or discrete GPU configuration and how you can solve this problem on laptops and desktops.
Why is your Windows PC’s GPU memory full?
We have shared several reasons why GPU memory is full on your Windows 11/10 computer. We’ve encountered this issue in the past and fixed it for good after a couple of updates.
Using the program
We’ve noticed that many laptops can’t run Discord and games at the same time. You should find that the program is consuming the most GPU memory on the system. We have suggested that Discord users switch to the TeamSpeak program. Finding an alternative to a problematic program. We have shown you how to find the criminal and confront him.
Unmanaged background process
Windows runs a lot of background processes and services and they consume resources unnecessarily. On the Microsoft forums, you can find complaints that unknown services are taking away RAM and CPU resources. Identify services with high CPU and memory usage and background processes to resolve the issue.
Budget equipment
Millions of Windows PCs run on legacy machines. XP ran smoothly on my old computer, but we installed Windows 7 on decade-old hardware. You may have installed the latest operating system on older hardware and it is having a hard time keeping up with the software requirements. We have provided several solutions and you can try them to fix your GPU memory issue.
Windows Threats
The number of infected Windows PCs has increased and administrators are not taking them seriously. Many users know little about malware infection and continue to blame the operating system for slow performance. We have shown you how to maintain the software and protect it from threats.
Pirated Windows and programs
Nobody wants to pay for a Windows product key because it’s expensive. You will find a product key at Walmart or any online store, but many users do not have enough funds to purchase it. Alternatives focus on promoting illegal activators and pirated software. Avoid pirated activation tools because they make you feel special for a few days and then make your computer worse. Do not download or install pirated programs.
Outdated drivers and unsupported hardware
Windows 11 has killed millions of PCs around the world. Fortunately, the Redmond-based company supported the previous project until October 14, 2025. The manufacturers have released the latest drivers for the hardware and you should update the latest drivers on your system. We recommend that users revert to Windows 10 or upgrade their hardware. We have installed Windows 10 on our gaming PC and do not plan to update the software anytime soon.
Difference Between Integrated and Dedicated GPU (GPU)
We need to understand the difference between integrated and dedicated GPU.
Integrated GPU
Many Intel and AMD processors have Intel HD Graphics and Vega Graphics. The central processing unit or processor has a graphics processor inside it. The integrated GPU shares a room with the CPU, which has many disadvantages. You shouldn’t expect Intel HD graphics and Vega graphics to work wonders. A manufacturer can promote the chip for gaming or light video editing, but they are limited in many ways.
Dedicated GPU
For desktop computers, you should install a dedicated GPU and choose a primary card for graphics-intensive work. A discrete or dedicated GPU has a circuit board, a dedicated GPU, memory, and a cooling unit. Don’t let the small form factor fool you because a discrete graphics card can run heavy games and render 3D projects.
Most video editing software should have a graphics card such as RX 6500 or RTX 3060. We have suggested base models from AMD and Nvidia brands.
Check background processes
Let’s identify a Windows component that is overusing system resources. I’m using a laptop with integrated Vega graphics and this might give you a broader idea.
1. Press the Windows key + X, then select “Task Manager”from the drop-down menu.
2. Use the slider and view GPU statistics.
3. Watch your GPU percentage spike.
4. Increased GPU and CPU usage.
5. Scroll down and find the process that is consuming GPU resources.
6. Microsoft Edge consumes 737MB of memory and GPU resources.
I showed you the example above and you can identify the culprit using the task manager.
System bottleneck
Have you assembled a computer from non-standard parts? Many budget design and gaming machines sacrifice a few components due to cost cutting. Many inexpensive computers face the same problem and lack the latest hardware to run modern software.
I suggest readers upgrade two components for smoother performance.
A. SSD
b. Memory/RAM
V. Add a dedicated GPU (if your budget allows)
Your GPU uses storage as swap memory and stores files on the SSD. The new SSD has impressive read/write speeds and should serve as a swap vessel.
Most Intel and AMD mobile GPUs use RAM to share memory. My Ryzen 5 system has 8GB of RAM but 5.88GB is available. Integrated graphics reserved 2 GB for video memory. Upgrade your RAM for a small improvement.
There is no doubt that a dedicated graphics card resolves the “GPU memory full”error.
PC Threat Elimination
We cannot leave malware or a virus on the system. PC threats break documents, files, folders, system files, etc. Most threats do not attack aggressively instantly, but infect the system slowly. Take steps to remove threats from Windows PC.
Windows Security can help you find malware, viruses, adware, and spyware, but there’s one problem. In the past, Microsoft’s security solution has avoided many threats. Defender’s solution is inconsistent and you can opt for a premium solution at the moment.
I am using the Malwarebytes (Free) version.
The Malwarebytes team did not sponsor us, and I am an active user. Run a full system scan and quarantine the threats.
Remove pirated programs and software
Pirated software is a demon in disguise. Many intruders and hackers have confessed to infiltrating your domain using pirated software. I recommend that users return to the official Windows OS and remove the pirated programs. Let me show you how to remove malware from installed programs on Windows PC.
1. Press the Windows key + R together.
2. Type “MRT”and press the Enter key.
3. Click the “Next”button.
4. Select the “Full Scan”option, then click the “Next”button.
5. Run a system scan.
6. Click on the “Finish”button.
Do not use your computer during a system scan. Stay away from the keyboard and wait for the scan to complete. Disable any removable devices such as flash drives or external storage devices.
Find alternatives
Find alternative programs and get rid of pirated software.
A. Try Linux OS (Kubuntu 22.4 LTS recommended for 5 year old computers)
You don’t have to pay a dime to use Ubuntu or any Linux software.
b. Try LibreOffice
I permanently switched to LibreOffice Writer instead of MS Word.
V. Try Xtreme Download Manager
I abandoned Internet Download Manager and used the latest version of XDM.
e. Try VLC
I use VLC Media Player on all computers.
f. Try BleachBit
I uninstalled CCleaner and installed BleachBit instead.
gram. Try KeePass
I installed KeePass Password Safe – a password manager.
hour Try Crete
You should give Krita a try if you don’t have enough money to pay for PhotoShop.
I. Try Kdenlive
I recently started using Kdenlive as a video editor.
Above, I suggested open source alternatives and free software. i use free software
suggested above and they are an ideal replacement for paid programs.
bottom line
Reinstall the Windows operating system if nothing works in your favor. I urge readers to upgrade the hardware and you can consult any certified engineer for suggestions on upgrading the hardware. I encourage readers to consider upgrading their graphics cards and learn about the program and system requirements. Update your hardware if the program says 16 GB of RAM and a dedicated GPU. Let us know which solution helped you resolve the “your GPU memory is full”error.