Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-04

How to Fix: Out of memory error: Java heap memory on Android Studio

Fix Java heap space error in Android Studio by reducing memory usage and increasing heap size.

Quick Answer: Try reducing the memory allocation for your project, increase the heap size in the Android Studio settings, or use a memory profiler to identify the source of the issue.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The Java heap memory error, also known as java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space, occurs when the Android Studio compiler runs out of available memory to process your project. This issue affects Android developers who compile their projects using the Android Studio compiler and experience a significant increase in compilation time or crashes due to insufficient memory.

This error can be frustrating for developers as it often occurs unexpectedly, causing delays in development and testing. However, by following these steps, you can resolve this issue and improve your overall coding experience.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for the Java heap memory error is that the Android Studio compiler requires a significant amount of memory to process large projects or those with many dependencies. This can lead to out-of-memory errors when the available memory is insufficient.
  • Another possible cause is upgrading your project to SDK 21, which may require more memory than previous versions. However, this is unlikely to be the sole cause of the issue, as you mentioned that you were not sure if it was related to the upgrade.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Increasing Memory Allocation for Android Studio

  1. Step 1: Open Android Studio and navigate to Settings (or Preferences on Mac) by clicking on the gear icon or pressing Ctrl + Shift + Alt + S.
  2. Step 2: In the Settings window, click on 'Build, Execution, Deployment' in the left-hand menu.
  3. Step 3: Under the 'Other settings' section, scroll down to the 'Java compiler' subsection and select the 'Increase memory allocation for Java compilation' option.
  4. Step 4: Adjust the memory allocation according to your system's available memory. A good starting point is to set it to 2-4 GB, but you can increase or decrease this value as needed.

Optimizing Project Configuration and Dependencies

  1. Step 1: Review your project's configuration files (e.g., build.gradle) to ensure that dependencies are properly configured.
  2. Step 2: Check for any unnecessary libraries or dependencies that may be consuming excessive memory. Remove them if possible.
  3. Step 3: Consider splitting large projects into smaller modules or using Gradle's 'multi-project' feature to optimize compilation time and memory usage.

✨ Wrapping Up

By following these steps, you can resolve the Java heap memory error in Android Studio and improve your overall coding experience. Remember to regularly review your project's configuration and dependencies to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🛠️ Related Fixes

How to Fix: Pc crashes shortly after launching game (rainbow

Fix Pc crashes shortly after launching game (rainbow six siege). Compl

How to Fix: Installing an APK on a locked down phone

Installing an APK on a locked down phone: Try using a rooted device, e

How to Fix: New PC build- no signal and no clue

Fix New PC build- no signal and no clue. Complete troubleshooting guid