How to Free Up Memory and Improve RAM Performance on Linux

Linux systems are known for their efficiency, but even the best setups can slow down if you’re running low on memory. Maybe you’ve noticed your computer lagging or applications taking longer to load. Here’s how you can free up memory and boost your RAM performance without rebooting.

1. Check What’s Using Your RAM

Start by figuring out what’s eating your memory. Open a terminal and run:

top

or

htop

(Install htop with sudo apt install htop if you don’t have it.)

Look for processes that are hogging the most memory. Sometimes, it’s a browser tab, a background service, or something you forgot you started.

2. Close Unnecessary Applications

If you see apps you don’t need, close them. This might sound obvious, but sometimes we leave terminals, editors, or browsers open for days. Shutting them down can free up a lot of RAM.

3. Clear Cached Memory

Linux uses unused RAM to cache files and make things faster. But if you need to free up cache, you can do it safely. Run:

sudo sh -c 'echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches'

This will clear pagecache, dentries, and inodes. Note: This doesn’t kill processes or services; it just frees up what Linux was holding onto “just in case.”

4. Restart Heavy Services

Some services and daemons can slowly eat more RAM over time (a.k.a. memory leaks). Identify them with top or htop, then restart them:

sudo systemctl restart [service-name]

For example, to restart Apache:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

5. Disable Startup Programs

Too many background programs can eat up RAM before you even open your browser. Check what runs on startup:

• On Ubuntu, go to Startup Applications.
• For server environments, check /etc/rc.local or systemd units in /etc/systemd/system/.

Disable what you don’t need.

6. Use Lighter Alternatives

If you’re on an older system or limited hardware, consider lightweight alternatives:

• Use XFCE or LXDE desktop environments instead of GNOME or KDE.
• Try apps like FeatherPad instead of heavy editors.
• Swap out Firefox/Chrome for Midori or qutebrowser.

7. Add Swap Space

Swap helps when you run out of RAM. It’s slower than RAM but better than crashing. To add swap:

sudo fallocate -l 2G /swapfile
sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
sudo mkswap /swapfile
sudo swapon /swapfile

Add it to /etc/fstab to make it permanent.

8. Monitor Regularly

Set a habit to check memory usage every so often, especially if you run a server. Tools like free -h and vmstat give a quick overview.

Final Tips

• Keep your system and apps updated for better memory management.
• Uninstall programs you don’t use.
• Consider adding more RAM if you’re always maxing out.

Freeing up memory on Linux doesn’t have to be a hassle. A few regular checks and tweaks go a long way toward a snappier, smoother system.

Have your own Linux memory hacks? Share them in the comments!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!