James Harper
How To Resolve MindsEye Out of Video Memory Error on PC
The ‘Out of Video Memory’ error can be a real pain, especially if you’re hyped to jump into MindsEye and then bam — crash or stutter. Sometimes it just feels like the game is fighting your hardware, and you’re stuck trying to figure out why. Anyway, here’s a rundown of what worked for me after some trial and error.
Step 1: Restart Steam and Your PC
First off, yeah, it might seem obvious, but give Steam a complete exit — right-click the icon in the system tray and pick Exit. Then restart the computer. Sometimes, just resetting the runtime makes all the difference. I often find that if Steam’s been running forever, it’d just keep holding onto stuff, causing memory glitches. After rebooting, relaunch Steam and see if the error pops back up.
Step 2: Switch Steam to Offline Mode
Go to Steam in the top-left menu, then pick Go Offline. Why? Because online mode can sometimes cause background downloads or sync processes that hog up memory. When you’re offline, the game’s in a cleaner environment. It’s worth a shot if you notice the error occurs right after a long gaming session or update. Expect less memory load — sometimes it helps to just *freeze* everything else.
Step 3: Adjust Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
In Windows Settings: System > Display. Scroll and find Graphics settings. Click Advanced graphics settings. Toggle Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling on or off. Not sure why, but on some setups, turning it off reduces the crashes or hiccups. Then restart your game and check. On some machines, this totally killed the memory error dead — weird, but hey.
Step 4: Launch in Windowed Mode
Right when the game starts loading, hit Alt + Enter. This quick switch to windowed mode often sidesteps some memory leaks or rendering issues. I’ve seen some setups where fullscreen just pushes the GPU too hard, so this is a kind of weird, but effective workaround.
Step 5: Run the Game Directly from Files
In Steam, right-click on MindsEye, pick Manage > Browse local files. Find the executable (like MindsEye.exe) and launch it directly. Sometimes, launching through Steam adds some overhead or overlay issues. If it still crashes, try right-click the exe, then Properties > Compatibility. Check Run this program as administrator. This step helped on a few setups where permissions or overzealous security software were causing memory errors.
Step 6: Allow Game Through Antivirus/Firewall
This is a classic: Make sure your AV isn’t blocking the game. Open Windows Security, go to Virus & threat protection, then Manage ransomware protection. Check if MindsEye is allowed. Likewise, add the game folder or executable to your antivirus exceptions if you’re using something else. I’ve seen security apps cause the game’s memory to not allocate properly, leading to that out-of-memory message.
Step 7: Verify Game Files via Steam
Sometimes, your game files get corrupted or aren’t properly installed. Right-click MindsEye in Steam, then Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files. Wait for it to finish. If there are missing or broken files, Steam will re-download or fix them — pretty much a must-do for any weird game glitch that’s not hardware-related.
Step 8: Rename/Delete Config Folder
Head over to C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\MindsEye\Saved. Rename or delete the Config folder. Be warned, this resets your settings, so back up anything important. Sometimes the config data gets corrupted or contains old info that messes up memory allocation, so resetting can clear hidden glitches. Not foolproof, but works in stubborn cases.
Step 9: Reinstall Graphics Drivers
If you’re still fighting, make sure your GPU drivers are up to date. For NVIDIA, visit NVIDIA Drivers. For AMD, check AMD Drivers. I prefer a clean uninstall—use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in safe mode if you can — then install fresh drivers. Old, buggy drivers can cause weird memory issues.
Step 10: Force Use of Dedicated Graphics Card
Make sure MindsEye is using your dedicated GPU, especially if you’re on a laptop with integrated Intel graphics. Go to Graphics settings in Windows, add the app if needed, and pick High performance. Without this, it might run on the integrated GPU, which can cause out-of-memory errors if it doesn’t have enough VRAM.
Step 11: Increase Virtual Memory
This one’s kinda old-school but surprisingly effective. Search for View advanced system settings. Under Performance, click Settings. Switch to the Advanced tab, then click Change in Virtual memory. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size. Pick your drive (probably C:), set custom size (something like 4096 MB or higher depending on your RAM), and hit Set. Reboot and see if that helps. Because of course Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Step 12: Use Launch Options for DX11 / DX12
In Steam, right-click MindsEye, go to Properties > Launch Options. Type -dx11 or -dx12. Sometimes, the game’s renderer freaks out and tries using the wrong API. For some systems, forcing DX11 or DX12 stabilizes memory usage and gets past the error. Not guaranteed, but worth a try.
Step 13: Enable Power Saver Mode
Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. If you see Power Saver, activate it. Less power means less GPU stress sometimes, which could help avoid hitting that VRAM ceiling. It’s not ideal for performance, but it’s a quick bandaid if everything else fails.
Step 14: BIOS Update
This one’s riskier, but sometimes system BIOS updates resolve compatibility and memory issues. Head over to your PC or motherboard maker’s site, follow their instructions carefully, and update BIOS. Make sure your device stays plugged in and powered during the process—bricking isn’t fun. Usually, BIOS updates help with hardware compatibility that can cause video memory errors.
Step 15: Install Visual C++ Redistributor
Ensure your system has the latest Visual C++ Redistributable packages. Download from Microsoft’s official page. Install both x86 and x64 versions; sometimes missing DLLs cause weird memory errors.
Step 16: Disable Overclocking & Overlays
If your system’s OC’d, try setting everything back to default. Overclocking can cause instability and memory issues. Also, disable overlays — Steam, Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, etc. They can consume GPU memory or cause conflicts that lead to crashes.
Step 17: Disconnect External Peripherals
Sometimes, extra USB devices or extra monitors can cause ghost issues. Unplug secondary screens, game controllers, or external drives. Fewer peripherals = less interference. It’s a weird thing, but I’ve had systems where just disconnecting a USB headset made the memory error disappear.
Step 18: Reinstall MindsEye
If nothing else, uninstall the game via Steam, then delete leftover files in the installation folder. Restart the PC, then install fresh. Installing on a fast SSD (yes, even better if it’s C:) helps, since loading textures and assets faster reduces memory strain.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If errors keep cropping, check your Windows updates and system driver status. Sometimes, keeping the OS in sync fixes compatibility hell. And don’t forget to visit forums or the official support if things get really stubborn.
Conclusion
Following these steps can clear up a lot of the common causes behind that pesky ‘Out of Video Memory’ error. Sometimes it’s just a matter of resetting a setting or updating a driver, but a combo approach tends to do the trick. Expect some trial and error, but at least it’s not an unfixable mess.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘Out of Video Memory’ error?
This pops up when your GPU runs out of VRAM trying to process heavy graphics. Crashes, stutters, or black screens are common symptoms.
How do I tell if I got a dedicated GPU?
Open Device Manager, then go to Display adapters. If you see models like NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon, you’re good. If you only see integrated Intel chips, that’s probably your bottleneck.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone.
Yep, a lot of the common troubleshooting tricks can actually fix this problem without having to go full reinstallation mode on the game. If the game won’t launch, crashes on startup, or just acts wonky, chances are one of these steps will help before you start uninstalling everything. Sometimes, it’s just a simple fix that gets overlooked. On one setup it worked like a charm, on another, it was a total pain — because of course, Windows and game configs like to be unpredictable.
Method 1: Check Your Game Files & Verify Integrity
This is usually the first thing to try. If your game is on Steam, go into your library, right-click the game, and pick Properties. Then navigate to Local Files and click Verify Integrity of Game Files. This command scans all game files and replaces anything corrupted or missing. It helps because sometimes, updates or downloads get interrupted or corrupted, causing issues. Expect a few minutes of scan time, and if it finds problems, it’ll automatically redownload the corrupted files.
Why it helps: fixes corrupted game data or partial installs. When you notice the game won’t start or crashes immediately, this is a good, safe bet.
On some setups, this process fails the first time or seems to hang, then suddenly works after a reboot, which is kinda weird but consistent enough.
Method 2: Reset Game Settings/Config Files
Often, config files get tangled or improperly saved. Find them in C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\GameName\Settings or sometimes in Program Files. Deleting or renaming those config files forces the game to regenerate them fresh at next launch. It’s like resetting all preferences to default. Usually, that leads to the game launching normally.
Why it helps: solves issues caused by corrupted or incompatible custom settings. When you’ve fiddled with graphics or control configs and it won’t load, this one’s worth trying.
Uncertain why, but on some machines, it’s the fix that pops up out of nowhere.
Method 3: Disable Overlay & Background Apps
Things like Discord, GeForce Experience, or Steam overlay can interfere with game launching. If you’re seeing crashes or black screens, try disabling overlays. For Steam, click Steam > Settings > In-Game, then uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game. For Discord, go to User Settings > Overlay and toggle off.
Why it helps: overlays sometimes conflict with game rendering or input. Disabling them eliminates a possible cause.
On some setups, disabling overlays fixed crashes, but on others, it was a dead end—go figure.
Method 4: Update Graphics Drivers & Windows
Seems obvious, but making sure your drivers are current is key. Head to the GPU manufacturer’s website — NVIDIA or AMD — and grab the latest drivers. Also, check Windows Update in Settings > Update & Security. Outdated drivers or OS bugs can mess with game launching.
Why it helps: graphics card drivers often fix performance issues or bugs that cause crashes or black screens. When your game suddenly refuses to start after a Windows update, updating drivers might fix that.
No guarantee on how fast this will work, but… it’s worth a shot.
Method 5: Run the Game as Administrator & Compatibility Mode
If permissions are an issue, right-click the game’s executable or shortcut, go to Properties, then Compatability. Check Run this program as administrator. Sometimes Windows blocks the game from accessing certain files or folders, and giving it admin rights helps. If it’s an older game, trying compatibility mode for Windows 8 or 7 can help too.
Why it helps: grants the game the necessary permissions to access files, save data, or communicate with other system components. If you get “access denied” errors, this is worth trying.
On some setups, this fix is like magic, but on others… not so much.
Method 6: Reinstall or Use a Cleaner Tool
If all else fails, a clean reinstall can wipe out lurking corrupted files or registry entries. First, uninstall the game. Then, delete leftover folders — check C:\Program Files\GameName and AppData\Local\GameFolder. Use a tool like Revo Uninstaller if needed to find leftovers. After that, reinstall fresh.
Why it helps: gets rid of broken installs or corrupt configs you missed before. Sometimes, just starting from scratch clears everything up.
Worth noting, some games leave behind weird registry keys, so cleanup tools help prevent reintroduction of old issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does verifying game files sometimes fail or do nothing? Because of permissions issues or a lock on files. Running your game launcher or Steam as administrator might fix that.
- How long should a verify or reinstall take? Usually 10-20 minutes, but depends on your drive speed and internet connection.
- What if these steps don’t work? There’s always deeper stuff like checking system logs, hardware issues, or conflicts with other software. Maybe even a Windows repair or clean install if it’s persistent across all games.
Summary
- Verify game files — quick and easy first step
- Reset settings/config files
- Disable overlays and background apps
- Update drivers and Windows
- Run as admin or try compatibility mode
- Reinstall if nothing else works
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Because, honestly, troubleshooting anything game-related is half figuring out what *not* to do first.