Have you ever encountered the frustrating issue of having memory installed on your Windows computer that is not being recognized or utilized? In this article, I will provide four fixes to help resolve this problem.
Update System and BIOS Settings
Another step to consider is checking if your system is running a 64-bit operating system, as 32-bit systems have limitations on RAM usage.
Adjust BIOS Configuration
| BIOS Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Memory Remapping | Allows the BIOS to use memory above the 4GB limit on 32-bit systems. |
| Adjust Memory Frequency | Ensures that the RAM is running at the correct speed for optimal performance. |
| Check Memory Timings | Adjusts the timing settings for the RAM to improve stability and performance. |
| Update BIOS | Ensures that the BIOS is up to date and compatible with the installed RAM. |
Address Hardware and Integrated Graphics Issues
If you are experiencing issues with your Windows RAM where memory installed is not usable, there are a few fixes you can try. First, check if your RAM is properly seated in the motherboard. Make sure the RAM sticks are fully inserted into the slots and properly secured.
Next, check if your system is recognizing the full amount of RAM installed. Open Task Manager and go to the Performance tab to see how much RAM is being recognized. If the full amount is not showing, try updating your BIOS to the latest version.
Another fix is to check if your Windows operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit and make sure you are using a 64-bit version if you have more than 4GB of RAM installed. Lastly, run a memory diagnostic tool to check for any hardware issues that may be causing the problem.
Optimize Operating System Configuration
- Disable Memory Mapping in BIOS:
- Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the designated key (usually F2 or Delete).
- Navigate to the memory settings and look for an option related to memory mapping.
- Disable memory mapping and save the changes before exiting the BIOS.
- Update System Drivers:
- Open Device Manager by pressing Win+X and selecting it from the menu.
- Expand the categories and look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark, indicating outdated drivers.
- Right-click on the device and select Update Driver to download and install the latest driver.
- Adjust Virtual Memory Settings:
- Open Control Panel and navigate to System and Security > System.
- Click on Advanced system settings and go to the Advanced tab.
- Under the Performance section, click on Settings and go to the Advanced tab.
- Click on Change under the Virtual Memory section and uncheck the option for automatically managing paging file size.
- Set a custom size for the paging file based on the recommended values.
- Click OK to apply the changes and restart the computer.
- Run Memory Diagnostic Tool:
- Open Windows Memory Diagnostic by typing it into the search bar and selecting the app.
- Choose to restart the computer and check for memory problems.
- The tool will run a series of tests to identify any issues with the RAM.
F.A.Qs
Why is my installed RAM not fully usable?
Your installed RAM may not be fully usable due to BIOS settings that restrict Windows from accessing all the memory. Adjusting the BIOS configuration and ensuring the internal GPU is disabled if a dedicated graphics card is present can help resolve this issue.
Why is my RAM not being used?
Your RAM may not be used due to memory limitations set by your system or due to faulty RAM that is damaged or outdated.
How to make all your RAM usable?
To make all your RAM usable, you can try restarting your device, clearing RAM cache, updating software, deleting unused extensions, and using optimization software to improve performance.
Why is only 8GB of 16GB RAM usable?
Only 8GB of the 16GB RAM is usable because the configuration of Windows has been limited to recognize and utilize a specific amount of physical memory. To access the full 16GB, one can enter the BIOS where the total memory will be displayed.
