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Unable to allocate memory from the system paged pool

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This article provides a resolution for the issue that it is unable to allocate memory from the system paged pool.

Applies to:   Windows Server 2012 R2
Original KB number:   312362

Symptoms

When your server is under a heavy load, the Server service may repeatedly log the following error in the System Event log. It indicates that the server is out of paged pool memory:

Source - SRV
Type - Error
Event ID - 2020
Description -

The server was unable to allocate from the system paged pool because the pool was empty.
Data -
0000: 00040000 00540001 00000000 c00007e4
0010: 00000000 c000009a 00000000 00000000
0020: 00000000 00000000 0000000b

Cause

Several factors may deplete the supply of paged pool memory. Enabling pool tagging and taking poolsnaps at different time intervals may help you to understand which driver is consuming paged pool memory. If the poolsnaps indicate that the MmSt tag (Mm section object prototype PTEs) is the largest consumer and paged pool memory has been depleted or the system is logging error event 2020s, there is a large probability that there are a large number of files that are open on the server. By default, the Memory Manager tries to trim allocated paged pool memory when the system reaches 80 percent of the total paged pool. Depending on the system configuration, a possible maximum paged pool memory on a computer can be 343 MB and 80 percent of this number is 274 MB. If the Memory Manager is unable to trim fast enough to keep up with the demand, the event that is listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article may occur. By tuning the Memory Manager to start the trimming process earlier (for example, when it reaches 60 percent), it would be possible to keep up with the paged pool demand during sudden peak usage, and avoid running out of paged pool memory.

Resolution

Important

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

The following tuning recommendation has been helpful in alleviating the problem:

  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

  2. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management

  3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:
    Value name: PoolUsageMaximum
    Data type: REG_DWORD
    Radix: Decimal
    Value data: 60

    Setting the value at 60 informs the Memory Manager to start the trimming process at 60 percent of PagedPoolMax rather than the default setting of 80 percent. If a threshold of 60 percent isn't enough to handle spikes in activity, reduce this setting to 50 percent or 40 percent.

    Value name: PagedPoolSize
    Data type: REG_DWORD
    Radix: Hex
    Value data: 0xFFFFFFFF

    Setting PagedPoolSize to 0xFFFFFFFF allocates the maximum paged pool in lieu of other resources to the computer.

    Caution

    The 0xFFFFFFFF PagedPoolSize setting is not recommended for use on 32-bit Windows Server 2003-based computers that have 64GB of RAM. This will potentially bring the Free System PTE entry down and can cause continuous reboot of the computer. For this configuration, carefully choose a value based on the requirements and available resources.

  4. Quit Registry Editor.

  5. Restart the server for the changes to take effect.

Status

Microsoft has confirmed that it's a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.