Skip to main content
S
sabrinah68284144
Participant
February 23, 2023
Question

Photoshop error "not enough memory" when exporting any .gif files

  • February 23, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 2057 views

When I try to export a .gif file from my project, I get the not enough memory error from the save for web pop-up. My gifs are not big. My largest file size is 610kb, and the video I am converting it from is 23 seconds with every 2 frames, totalling about 200 frames. Even when I change these numbers to lower the frames, lower the quality, lower the colors-- the answer is the same. The pop-up is always that I do not have enough memory.

I have tried increasing Photoshop's alotment in preferences -> performance, and I have tried decreasing it as well. I have tried both .mov and .mp4 video files. I have tried compressing my video first. Nothing works. I have cleared video cache. I have all other applications closed and quitted, so nothing is running in the background. I have shut down the application and started it back up. I've done just about every suggestion on the forums.

I can export photo files just fine. I can export a png that is 2MB without issue, but I cannot export a 500KB gif at all. This is very frustrating, and I am looking for solutions to this issue. My shorter video files do this as well.

 

Specifications: Photoshop version 24.2

Computer: Mac os Monterey, 8GB RAM, 250GB free storage.

2 replies

P
PSHoudini
Participating Frequently
September 25, 2025

same here. but in my case it's saving a PSD file. Now when i try to update photoshop to latest version is just says waiting but nothing updates...already like this for more than half an hour. 

P
PSHoudini
Participating Frequently
September 25, 2025

ok...i managed to fix my issue. In the drive photoshop is saved in there were like 5 or 6 giant GB temp files. I deleted them and then tied saving my PSD agaiin and it worked out this time. aparently photoshop is creating some huge temp files that are filling up all my memory.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 25, 2025

    How much free space do you have on your system-drive and on the primary Scratch Disk? 

     

    Are you working with (lots of) Embedded Smart Objects? Those can, it is my impression, be especially demanding on the system drive if one runs a long session. 

    Pete.Green
    Community Manager
    Pete.GreenCommunity Manager
    February 23, 2023

    Hi @sabrinah68284144 ,

     

    Sorry for the trouble with exporting your gif files, do you get this not enough memory error if you export the gif using File > Export > Export As and choose gif?

     

    Can you provide Photoshop's help > System Info text to the thread here?

     

    Does it help to increase or decrease the amount of memory available in Preferences > Performance > Memory Usage?

     

    Get back with more details and let us know,

    Regards,

    PG

     

      M
      MSnowie
      Participant
      September 24, 2025

      I'm having the same issue as the original poster. Using "File > Export > Export As and choosing gif" exports a static single frame, not an animated gif.

      c.pfaffenbichler
      Community Expert
      c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 25, 2025

      Have you tried File > Export > Save for Web? 

      Could you please post screenshots taken at View > 100% with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Timeline, Options Bar, …) visible? 

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices