+++
title = "When a connection says \"not enough memory\""
description = "The device has about 107 KB to share, and a secure connection takes about 52 KB. How to free some, and why it happens."
weight = 8
[extra]
tag = "Memory"
+++

## What you see

Opening a Gemini page fails with *not enough memory: stop IRC or retry*. Or SSH says *Not enough memory: close IRC or a Gemini page*, or IRC says *not enough memory: close the SSH session*. Or an update check or install makes IRC disconnect for a moment.

## What to do

1. **Stop IRC.** In the IRC App, type `/quit` and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>. IRC disconnects and **stays** disconnected until you type something again, so it does not take the memory back.
2. **Try again.** A Gemini fetch needs 55 KB free before it starts.
3. **Start IRC again** when you are done: type a line in the IRC App, and it reconnects and rejoins its channels.

## See it

The [System App](/guide/system/)'s **Memory** view shows free memory, the lowest since the device started, and the largest free block, drawn against the three memory floors (55, 40 and 20 KB). Watch it fall when a connection opens, and recover when it closes.

## What the other things cost

Small next to a secure connection, but they add up when memory is already short:

| | While it is in use |
|---|---|
| An [SSH](/guide/ssh/) session, from login until it ends | 50 KB: IRC waits while it is open, and it doesn't start under 75 KB free |
| A note open in the editor, whatever its size | 17 KB |
| Sharing the card with a browser | 13 KB |
| The Shell | 7 KB |
| The VPN tunnel | under 2 KB |
| Showing a PNG | one free block of 32 KB, while it is decoded |

## Why it happens

The Cardputer's chip has no extra memory (no PSRAM). A secure (TLS) connection costs about **52 KB** at its peak, and IRC's own connection holds about 40 KB of the 107 KB there is. A second secure connection on top does not fit, so the firmware refuses it early instead of crashing. This is also why IRC steps aside during an update, and why the daily update check waits until IRC is not connected: see [Updates](/guide/updates/).