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LG TV Memory Full Message – Meaning, Causes & Fix

LGSmart TVUpdated 2026-10-13

A "Memory Full" message on an LG TV (running WebOS) appears when the TV's internal storage is nearly or completely full, preventing new apps from being installed, app updates from completing, or the TV from operating smoothly. LG TVs use a combination of RAM (for running apps) and internal flash storage (for installed apps, app data, and cache); the "Memory Full" message most often refers to the internal flash storage being full, though on some models it can also indicate insufficient RAM when too many apps are open at once. This guide explains what causes the memory full message and how to free up space and resolve the warning. For related LG TV issues, see our LG TV HDMI No Signal guide and our Samsung TV Update Failed Message guide.

Quick Answer

What it means

The TV's internal flash storage (or, less commonly, RAM) is nearly or completely full, preventing new apps from being installed, app updates from completing, or the TV from operating smoothly.

Severity

Low

Can you fix it yourself?

Yes — freeing storage by uninstalling unused apps and clearing caches is fully DIY and resolves the message in nearly all cases.

Call a technician when

A technician is rarely needed — contact LG support only if the memory full message persists after clearing all apps and caches, which may indicate a firmware bug requiring a software update or a factory reset.

What Does Memory Full Mean?

LG TVs running WebOS have a limited amount of internal flash storage (typically 4-8 GB on most models, with only a portion available for user apps and data) used to store installed apps, app data, app caches, and some system data. As you install more apps and use them over time, this storage fills up. When the available storage drops below a threshold (often around 5-10% free), the TV displays a "Memory Full" (or "Storage Full") message and may refuse to install new apps, update existing apps, or operate smoothly (apps may crash or load slowly).

A separate but related message can appear when the TV's RAM (the working memory used to run apps) is exhausted — typically when many apps are open in the background. On most models the "Memory Full" message refers to internal storage, not RAM, but the fixes overlap (closing apps and clearing caches help both).

Common causes include:

1. Too many installed apps: The most common cause — many installed apps each consume storage for the app itself plus its data and cache. 2. Large app caches: Streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video) accumulate large caches of thumbnails, metadata, and temporary files that fill storage. 3. Recorded content (Time Machine / USB DVR): On models with USB recording, recorded content on the TV's internal storage fills it. 4. App data and login sessions: Apps store user data, login tokens, and preferences that accumulate over time. 5. System cache buildup: The TV's own system cache and temporary files can grow over time. 6. Firmware update residue: A failed or interrupted firmware update (see our Samsung update failed guide for the parallel issue) can leave residual update files consuming storage. 7. Too many apps running in background: Exhausting RAM rather than storage — many apps open simultaneously cause sluggish performance and a memory warning.

This storage-exhaustion issue is conceptually related to the Samsung TV update failed condition, where insufficient storage blocks a normal operation.

What Causes This Error?

  • Too many installed apps each consuming storage for the app itself plus its data and cache — the most common cause
  • Large app caches from streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video) accumulating thumbnails, metadata, and temporary files
  • Recorded content from Time Machine or USB DVR filling the TV's internal storage
  • App data and login sessions accumulating user data, login tokens, and preferences over time
  • System cache buildup from the TV's own system cache and temporary files growing over time
  • Firmware update residue from a failed or interrupted firmware update leaving residual update files
  • Too many apps running in the background exhausting RAM and causing sluggish performance and a memory warning
  • Buggy app with a memory or storage leak consuming storage over time without releasing it

How to Fix Memory Full

  1. 1

    Uninstall unused apps. Navigate to Home > Edit Mode (or long-press an app icon), select unused apps, and uninstall them. Removing 3-5 large or unused apps typically frees several hundred MB and resolves the message immediately.

  2. 2

    Clear app caches for the remaining apps. For each major streaming app (Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video), navigate to Settings > General > Apps, select the app, and clear its cache. Streaming-app caches can each be 100-500 MB, so clearing them frees significant space.

  3. 3

    Delete recorded content if you use USB DVR. Navigate to the Time Machine / Recorded content menu and delete recordings you no longer need. Recorded content can consume many GB and is a common cause of the memory full message on models with USB recording.

  4. 4

    Close background apps and restart the TV. Press the Home button to see recently used apps, close any you aren't using (swipe up or select X), then unplug the TV for 60 seconds and plug it back in. A restart clears RAM and flushes temporary files.

  5. 5

    Check the firmware version and update if available. Navigate to Settings > Support > Software Update > Check for Updates. An outdated firmware version may have a storage-management bug that an update fixes. See our Samsung TV update failed guide for the USB update procedure if the over-the-network update fails.

  6. 6

    Factory reset as a last resort. If the memory full message persists after uninstalling apps, clearing caches, deleting recordings, and updating the firmware, perform a factory reset via Settings > General > Reset to Initial Settings. Back up any custom settings first — a factory reset erases all apps, logins, and preferences but fully clears storage.

When to Call a Professional

A memory full message rarely requires a technician — it's resolved by uninstalling unused apps, clearing caches, deleting recordings, and restarting the TV. Contact LG support only if the message persists after a full cleanup and a firmware update, which may indicate a firmware bug that LG can patch in a future release, or a hardware storage fault (very rare) that requires service. A factory reset resolves nearly all persistent cases before support is needed.

Can You Still Use the Device?

An LG TV displaying a Memory Full message is fully usable for watching and using existing apps — the message is a warning that storage is low, not a fault that disables the TV. You may be unable to install new apps or update existing apps until storage is freed, and some apps may run more slowly, but the TV continues to operate. Freeing storage by uninstalling apps and clearing caches resolves the warning and restores full function.

Official Resources

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional repair advice. CodeExplain is not affiliated with LG or any other brand mentioned. Always consult a qualified technician for complex repairs.