How to fix Out of Video Memory error in Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 is a highly anticipated sequel to the popular psychological horror game, Alan Wake. As with any new game, players may encounter technical issues, and one common problem is the “Out of Video Memory” error. This error can be frustrating, but fear not! In this blog post, we’ll guide you through some steps to help you resolve the issue and enjoy Alan Wake 2 without interruptions.

What Causes the “Out of Video Memory” Error?

Before we dive into the solutions, it’s essential to understand what’s causing this error. Video memory, also known as VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), is a crucial component for rendering graphics in games. When you receive an “Out of Video Memory” error, it means that your graphics card’s VRAM is fully utilized, and the game cannot allocate more memory for its rendering tasks. This can happen for various reasons, including high-resolution textures, complex graphics, or running the game on hardware with insufficient VRAM.

Now, let’s explore the steps to fix this issue:

1. Reduce Game Resolution

Firstly, lower the resolution of Alan Wake 2 on your system. A lower resolution reduces the video memory required by the game due to fewer pixels needing rendering by your graphics card.

Higher resolution in Alan Wake 2 consumes more video memory to render the game. Thus, reducing resolution can positively impact and eliminate the ‘out of video memory’ error message.

Please follow the instructions below:

• First, open Alan Wake 2 on your PC.
• Then, navigate to the Options menu.

• Then, switch to the Graphics tab.
• Finally, under the Display section, change the Display Resolution to a lower value.

• If you’re using DLSS or FSR, you also need to lower the Render Resolution.
• See if the problem persists. 

2. Lower Alan Wake 2 Graphics Settings

The graphics settings in Alan Wake 2 significantly influence your system’s video memory consumption. It’s evident that higher settings yield more load on your computer’s graphics card.

When this occurs, you may see an ‘out of video memory’ error if your GPU can’t handle the game’s textures. In this case, you should lower the game’s graphics settings and overall quality.

Fortunately, despite its high system requirements, Alan Wake 2 remains visually stunning even on lower-quality presets. Use the instructions below to adjust the game’s graphics settings in AW2:

• First, navigate to the Options menu.

• After that, switch to the Graphics tab.
• Then, scroll down and use the Quality Preset option to switch to a lower preset than your current one.

3. Close Background Apps

Background apps utilizing system resources can cause the error message to appear, especially when certain apps use more resources than usual. Therefore, close all such background apps to free up system resources.

This will enable the game to use more system resources and eliminate the error message. To close background apps using Task Manager, follow these instructions:

• First, right-click on the Start Menu icon and select Task Manager from the menu.

• In the Task Manager window, look for apps that are consuming your system resources.
• Then, select the app and click the End task option.
• Repeat this process depending on the amount of background apps you have. 
• Finally, open Alan Wake 2 and see if the problem persists. 

4. Update Graphics Drivers

Updating your graphics drivers is an essential step in resolving the “Out of Video Memory” error in Alan Wake 2. Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can lead to a variety of issues, including VRAM-related errors. Here’s a more detailed guide on how to update your graphics drivers:

1. Identify Your Graphics Card: Before you can update your graphics drivers, you need to know the make and model of your graphics card. You might have an NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics card. To find this information:
   • For Windows:
     • Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager.”
     • Expand the “Display adapters” category to see your graphics card model.
   • For macOS:
     • Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
     • Select “About This Mac” and then click “System Report.”
     • Under “Graphics/Displays,” you’ll find your graphics card information.
2. Visit the Manufacturer’s Website:
   • If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, go to the NVIDIA website.
   • If you have an AMD graphics card, visit the AMD website.
   • For Intel integrated graphics, you can check for updates on the Intel website.
3. Download the Latest Drivers:
   • On the manufacturer’s website, you will usually find a tool or a search option that helps you identify and download the correct drivers for your specific graphics card and operating system.
   • Download the latest driver that is compatible with your graphics card model and your version of Windows or macOS.
4. Install the New Drivers:
   • After downloading the drivers, run the installer, and follow the on-screen instructions to install the updated drivers.
   • You may need to restart your computer after the installation is complete.
5. Test Alan Wake 2:
   • Launch the game and see if the “Out of Video Memory” error still occurs. With updated graphics drivers, the error may no longer be an issue.
6. Regularly Check for Updates:
   • Keep in mind that graphics driver updates are released periodically to improve performance and fix issues. It’s a good practice to periodically check for updates and keep your drivers up to date.

By following these steps and ensuring that your graphics drivers are current, you can help eliminate the “Out of Video Memory” error and enjoy playing Alan Wake 2 without interruptions. If you continue to experience issues after updating your drivers, you can explore other solutions, such as adjusting graphics settings and optimizing your system as mentioned in the previous blog post.

5. Repair Alan Wake 2 Files

Repairing game files can often help resolve issues like the “Out of Video Memory” error in Alan Wake 2. This process verifies the integrity of the game files and replaces any corrupted or missing files. Here’s how you can repair Alan Wake 2 game files:

1. Steam: If you purchased Alan Wake 2 on Steam, you can use the built-in feature for verifying the integrity of game files. Follow these steps:
   • Open the Steam client and go to your game library.
   • Right-click on Alan Wake 2 and select “Properties.”
   • Go to the “Local Files” tab.
   • Click “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”
   • Steam will then compare your game files with the ones on the server and replace any corrupted or missing files.
2. Epic Games Store: If you bought the game on the Epic Games Store, you can verify and repair game files using the following steps:
   • Open the Epic Games Launcher.
   • Go to your library and locate Alan Wake 2.
   • Click on the three dots (…) next to the game.
   • Choose “Verify.”
3. Other Platforms: For other platforms, such as GOG or standalone versions, you may need to manually reinstall the game. Uninstall the game and then download and install it again from the original source.
4. Test the Game: After the file verification or reinstallation is complete, launch Alan Wake 2 and check if the “Out of Video Memory” error persists. Repairing the game files should resolve most issues related to corrupted game data.
5. Update Graphics Drivers (Again): Sometimes, repairing game files may expose underlying issues with outdated or incompatible graphics drivers. Therefore, it’s a good practice to ensure your graphics drivers are up to date, as mentioned in the previous section.

If repairing the game files doesn’t resolve the problem, you can also try other troubleshooting steps, such as adjusting graphics settings, allocating more VRAM if possible, and ensuring your system meets the game’s minimum and recommended system requirements. Sometimes, a combination of these fixes may be needed to eliminate the “Out of Video Memory” error and provide a smoother gaming experience in Alan Wake 2.

6. Adjust Virtual Memory Size

Adjusting the virtual memory (also known as the page file) size can be helpful in addressing the “Out of Video Memory” error in Alan Wake 2. Virtual memory serves as an extension of your physical RAM, allowing your system to use a portion of your hard drive or SSD as temporary memory when your physical RAM is fully utilized. Here’s how you can adjust the virtual memory size:

Note: Before making any changes to your virtual memory settings, it’s essential to be cautious and follow these steps carefully.

1. Access Virtual Memory Settings:
   • For Windows 10/11:
     • Right-click on “This PC” or “My Computer” and select “Properties.”
     • In the left pane, click on “Advanced system settings.”
     • In the “System Properties” window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
     • Under the “Performance” section, click on “Settings.”
     • In the “Performance Options” window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
     • Under the “Virtual memory” section, click on “Change.”
2. Customize Virtual Memory:
   • Uncheck the box that says, “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
   • Select your system drive (usually C:), where the page file will be located.
   • Choose between the following options:
     • “System managed size”: This option allows Windows to automatically manage the page file size. It is generally recommended for most users.
     • “Custom size”: Select this option if you want to set a specific initial size and maximum size for the page file.
3. Set Custom Size (Optional):
   • If you choose to set a custom size, enter values for the initial size and maximum size in megabytes (MB). The recommended size is usually 1.5 times your physical RAM, but you can adjust this based on your system’s needs.
4. Apply Changes:
   • Click “Set” after specifying your custom size or choosing “System managed size.”
   • Click “OK” to apply the changes.
   • You may be prompted to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Make sure to save any open work before doing so.
5. Test the Game: After adjusting the virtual memory settings, launch Alan Wake 2 and check if the “Out of Video Memory” error still occurs. Customizing the virtual memory size can help ensure that your system has enough memory resources to handle both the game and other processes effectively.

Remember that while adjusting virtual memory settings can be helpful, it is not a guaranteed solution for all cases. If the error persists, consider trying other solutions, such as lowering graphics settings, updating graphics drivers, and repairing the game files, as mentioned in the previous sections.

Conclusion

Experiencing the “Out of Video Memory” error in Alan Wake 2 can be frustrating, but with the right steps, you can resolve this issue and enjoy the game without interruptions. Start by adjusting your graphics settings, updating your graphics drivers, and optimizing your system. If these solutions don’t work, consider upgrading your hardware to ensure a smoother gaming experience. Don’t let technical issues keep you from diving into the world of Alan Wake 2!