Your computer is low on memory.

[cheddar-caveman]

I keep getting this message on my 2018 15" MBP. Presumably this refers to RAM as I have just cleared out a whole load of images and freed up 21Gb.

The only thing running is Safari.

 

[Amethyst1]

Fire up Activity Monitor and sort applications by RAM/memory usage. Post a screenshot.

 

[cheddar-caveman]

Thanks Amethyst1, not sure what you mean by RAM/memory but I think its this..........

 

[chabig]

Based on the image you just posted, your memory is fine.

 

[Amethyst1]

Thanks Amethyst1, not sure what you mean by RAM/memory but I think its this..........

Yes. That looks fine - try waiting until the warning appears again and then post an Activity Monitor screenshot so we can see what's going on in that exact moment.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Also, I see a line entry, "Private Internet Access", is that a VPN?
I wonder if that is causing any additional issues.

 

[cheddar-caveman]

Thanks guys, will do..........

 

[Apple_Robert]

Also, I see a line entry, "Private Internet Access", is that a VPN?
I wonder if that is causing any additional issues.

Private Internet Access is a VPN service.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I keep getting this message on my 2018 15" MBP. Presumably this refers to RAM as I have just cleared out a whole load of images and freed up 21Gb.

The only thing running is Safari.View attachment 1786283

View attachment 1786284

You say you cleaned out a bunch of pictures. Did you have a lot of pictures open at once, or a lot of tabs ? If so, that may have been what was causing the message.

 

[cheddar-caveman]

I thought this message referred to disk space so removed all my photos to external storage but it seems it's RAM that runs short!

 

[cheddar-caveman]

Yes. That looks fine - try waiting until the warning appears again and then post an Activity Monitor screenshot so we can see what's going on in that exact moment.

Here it is!

 

[cheddar-caveman]

Here is another Memory list. I notice that when you close Safari by clicking on the top-left red button, it doesn't actually close the application, it's still open in the background and you have to go to the tool bar and physically "Quit". This saves a lot of memory.

Also, what is that long number, highlighted, in this shot? It's the second highest memory user???

Also, what is the WindowServber, top of the list?

Is there any way I can add more memory on this MBP - 2018 15" ?

 

[cheddar-caveman]

I have just done an Onyx maintenance run, opened nothing and this is the Memory map now.
That long number seems to be associated with Safari?
But still using nearly 4Gb of memory doing nothing!

 

[Amethyst1]

I notice that when you close Safari by clicking on the top-left red button, it doesn't actually close the application, it's still open in the background and you have to go to the tool bar and physically "Quit".

That's normal behaviour on macOS. Unless you explicitly "Quit" an application, it stays open in the background.

Also, what is the WindowServber, top of the list?

Basically it's the layer that macOS' entire user interface sits on top of.

Is there any way I can add more memory on this MBP - 2018 15" ?

Since RAM is soldered in your MBP, you cannot simply add more. But according to your screenshots, you're not actually running out of RAM.

 

[cheddar-caveman]

" But according to your screenshots, you're not actually running out of RAM."

So why do I keep getting the "low on memory" warning?

 

[chabig]

So why do I keep getting the "low on memory" warning?

Nothing you've posted shows your machine "running out of" memory. In fact, everything is normal, as apparent from the green memory pressure graph. Can we see a screenshot of that warning?

 

[cheddar-caveman]

My first post 1

 

[chabig]

My first post 1

Roger. Yesterday I saw something else, I think. Certainly you are not still getting that. If so, note the foreground app when it pops up. That’s probably the culprit.

 

[cheddar-caveman]

👍

 

[ivanwi11iams]

From what I have heard, Mac OS does not get viruses or 'false advertising', right?
So, this would not be a 'fake' message of sorts, would it?

You know how 'back in the day', Windows had those fake messages and if you clicked on it, you'd be infected or directed to a website to pay for something that was not needed? Merely thinking outside the box here.

Also, do you have Apple Care on this unit, if so, consult Apple support. See what they say...

 

[Nermal]

Apparently this message comes from malware.

I can't vouch for the reliability of the "ComboCleaner" tool linked from that page. I've never heard of it, which isn't a good sign.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't recall getting a low memory message before (although I could have). I have gotten a message saying Safari is using a lot of memory.

Apparently this message comes from malware.

I can't vouch for the reliability of the "ComboCleaner" tool linked from that page. I've never heard of it, which isn't a good sign.

Good find. That looks to be what the OP may have. I would run Malwarebytes, Cheddar. That should find it and remove it.

 

[antiprotest]

I got something like that when I first got my M1 Mac but haven't seen it in months. Weird. I wasn't doing anything special then either.

 

[cheddar-caveman]

Apparently this message comes from malware.

I can't vouch for the reliability of the "ComboCleaner" tool linked from that page. I've never heard of it, which isn't a good sign.

YES! That's exactly what it is (was) as I have now run Malwarebytes and sure enough it came up with a Malware thingy which has been "removed"😎😎
I wonder where that came from???
Many thanks folks, great result!