That definitely sounds frustrating, especially since you're not running any heavy effects. Here are a few things you can try that might help fix the RAM issue in After Effects:
1. Purge Memory & Disk Cache
Even simple timelines can hog memory if cache files build up. Try this:
Go to Edit > Purge > All Memory & Disk Cache
Restart AE and see if previewing improves
2. Check Your Memory Settings
Make sure After Effects has enough memory to work with:
Go to Preferences > Memory & Performance
Adjust the "RAM reserved for other applications" to give AE more headroom
If you have multiple Adobe apps open, consider disabling "Enable Multi-Frame Rendering" temporarily
3. Empty Disk Cache
Sometimes the disk cache bloats silently:
Go to Preferences > Media & Disk Cache
Click "Empty Disk Cache"
Also, check if the cache location is on a fast drive with enough space
4. Lower Preview Resolution
Even with no effects, 4K or high-res clips can eat up RAM quickly.
In the Composition window, set resolution to Half or Quarter
Turn off motion blur and frame blending if they’re enabled
5. Check for Background Processes
Even if no other apps are visibly open, some background processes might be running:
On Windows: Open Task Manager and check memory usage
On macOS: Use Activity Monitor
Look for background Adobe processes or 3rd-party plugins that might be stuck
6. Update After Effects
If you haven’t already, update to the latest version. Some past builds (like AE 22.x) had memory leak issues that were fixed in later updates.
If you're reviewing a lot of video content or working with reference material in parallel, it's a good idea to keep that viewing outside of AE to save memory. Apps like YouCine are great for watching films or shows separately on another device while keeping After Effects free to run smoothly.
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