For fans of skateboarding simulation games, Skate on PC offers an exhilarating ride through freeform tricks, open-world exploration, and creative play. However, a frustrating issue faced by many players is the dreaded “Critical Low Memory Error.” This error abruptly halts gameplay and can prevent the user from starting or progressing within the game. If you’ve run into this issue, this guide will walk you through the steps to fix it.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
If you’re experiencing the “Critical Low Memory Error” while playing Skate on PC, it’s likely due to insufficient virtual memory allocation, outdated drivers, or game-specific bugs. Quick fixes include increasing virtual memory (page file), updating graphics drivers, and verifying game files through Steam or EA App. In more persistent cases, adjusting in-game settings and ensuring Windows is up to date can offer lasting solutions.
What is the Critical Low Memory Error?
The “Critical Low Memory Error” occurs when the game detects that there isn’t enough available system memory (RAM) or virtual memory to run properly. Even though your system may technically meet the game’s requirements, several background processes, improper configurations, or software bugs can trigger this error.
Common Causes of the Error
Before jumping into the solutions, it’s crucial to understand what typically causes this error:
- Insufficient Virtual Memory: The Windows OS uses a paging file as backup RAM; if it’s too small, applications may fail.
- Background Processes: Having multiple applications open can consume memory resources needed by Skate.
- Outdated Drivers: Especially the GPU driver, which is responsible for rendering and resource management.
- Corrupted Game Files: Parts of the game may be damaged or missing, triggering memory allocation issues.
- Buggy Game Patches: Some updates to Skate may introduce new memory management problems.
Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Increase Virtual Memory in Windows
This step alone can resolve memory errors.
- Open the Control Panel and go to System > Advanced System Settings.
- Under the Performance section, click Settings.
- Go to the Advanced tab and click on Change under Virtual Memory.
- Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size.”
- Select your system drive (usually C:) and click on “Custom size.”
- Set the Initial Size (MB) to at least 4096 and Maximum Size (MB) to 8192 or more.
- Click Set and reboot your computer.
This allows Windows to “borrow” storage space as virtual memory, which helps reduce memory errors while gaming.
2. Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated drivers are a frequent culprit.
- For NVIDIA users: Go to the official website and download the latest Game Ready Driver.
- For AMD users: Head to the AMD Drivers page for updates.
- Always choose a clean install if the option is available.
This ensures compatibility with the latest game patches and improves resource allocation.
3. Verify Game Files
Corrupted or missing game files can also lead to memory errors.
- Steam: Right-click on Skate in the Library, choose Properties, then go to Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.
- EA App: Go to your Game Library > Click on Skate > Choose Repair.
Once the scan is complete, relaunch the game to see if the issue persists.
4. Lower In-Game Settings
If you are running the game on high or ultra settings, consider reducing them:
- Set graphics to Medium or Low.
- Disable features like Ambient Occlusion and Motion Blur.
- Lower the resolution if you’re running above 1080p.
Reducing resource demand can help keep memory usage within limits, especially on mid-range or older systems.
5. Close Background Applications
Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to shut down any unnecessary background apps, especially the following:
- Chrome or Firefox with multiple tabs
- Discord (disable overlay too)
- Screen recording software
- Streaming apps or services
More available memory means more headroom for Skate to run smoothly.
6. Set Skate to High Priority
Giving the game process more CPU priority can help allocate resources better.
- Open Task Manager after launching the game.
- Go to the Details tab.
- Right-click on Skate.exe, hover over Set Priority, and choose High.
7. Check for Game and Windows Updates
Ensure both your game client and Windows OS are fully updated:
- Install any pending Windows Updates via Settings > Update & Security.
- Check for game updates in either Steam or the EA App.
Patch notes might even mention fixes related to memory issues.
8. Reinstall the Game (as a Last Resort)
If everything else fails, it’s time for a fresh installation:
- Uninstall the game from your platform of choice.
- Delete any remaining files in the installation folder manually.
- Restart your PC and reinstall the game from the official store.
This removes corrupted files and clears any misconfigurations that may not have been solved through verification.
Additional Tips
- Disable Windows Game Mode or Game Bar—these features sometimes interfere with performance.
- Scan your system for malware to eliminate background resource hogs.
- Consider upgrading your RAM if you have less than 8GB currently.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Does upgrading to 16GB of RAM help fix this error?
- A: Yes, upgrading physical RAM can significantly reduce the likelihood of this error, particularly for users running multiple background applications.
- Q: Can this error be caused by a faulty graphics card?
- A: While rare, a faulty GPU with memory issues could potentially trigger memory errors. Testing the GPU with other games is recommended.
- Q: Will running the game in compatibility mode solve the issue?
- A: Sometimes running the game in Windows 8 compatibility mode helps bypass memory checks, but results may vary.
- Q: Is page file size related to disk space?
- A: Yes, since the page file uses hard drive space, make sure you have enough free storage on your primary disk.
- Q: What’s the ideal virtual memory setting?
- A: Ideally, set the Initial Size to 1.5x your physical RAM and Maximum Size to 3x your RAM. Example: For 8GB RAM, use 12288MB max.
Addressing the “Critical Low Memory Error” in Skate on PC isn’t just about throwing more