Out of Memory" error occurs during a solve on an OD cost matrix or vehicle routing problem network analysis layer

Error Message

While solving a large origin-destination (OD) cost matrix or vehicle routing problem (VRP) network analysis layer, the following error message is returned:

“Error: Out of memory”.

Cause

During the analysis process, ArcGIS Network Analyst compiles and temporarily stores intermediate information in memory. This information is referenced near the end of the solve process. After the solve process is complete, the information is cleared from memory.

This out-of-memory error message appears when the system’s memory is depleted before Network Analyst has finished storing all the intermediate information.

Solution or Workaround

Warning:
The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary.
Esri cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions; therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.

1. Open the Registry Editor.
   ▪ In Windows XP, click Start > Run, type regedit, and click OK.
   ▪ In Windows 7 or Vista, click Start, type regedit in the search text box, then press Enter.
   
2. Expand the following keys, which look like folders: HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > ESRI.
3. Click the NetworkAnalyst key.
   ▪ If the NetworkAnalyst key does not exist, create a key by right-clicking on the key that is one level above (ESRI) and click New > Key. Rename the new key NetworkAnalyst.
   ▪ Several steps below require the creation of a key in the registry. To do that, follow the same procedure that was just used; right-click the key in which to create the new key and select New > Key, then rename the new key to match the name given in the step.
4. In the NetworkAnalyst key, create a key named ODCostMatrix if it does not already exist.
5. Double-click ODCostMatrix.
6. In the ODCostMatrix key, look for the DWORD key value named DestinationChunkSize. Create it if it does not exist.
   
7. Double-click DestinationChunkSize to open the Edit DWORD Value dialog box.
8. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, click Decimal and enter an integer between one and 1000 in the Value data text box.
   ▪ The value that is entered here determines the maximum number of destinations to search for at each step of the solve process when solving using a hierarchy. By default, Network Analyst searches for 1000 destinations. By entering a value that is less than 1000, the maximum memory requirement is reduced, but the solve time may increase.
9. In the ODCostMatrix key, look for the DWORD key value named OriginChunkSize. Create it if it does not already exist.
   
10. Double-click OriginChunkSize to open the Edit DWORD Value dialog box.
11. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, click Decimal and enter an integer between one and 1000 in the Value data text box.
    ▪ The value that is entered here determines the maximum number of origins to search for at each step of the solve process when solving without using a hierarchy. By default, Network Analyst searches for 1000 origins. By entering a value that is less than 1000, the maximum memory requirement is reduced, but the solve time may increase.
12. Solve the OD or VRP analysis layer in ArcMap.
13. Finally, delete the key values that were created in the steps above.
    ▪ The only way to determine whether chunking is enabled is by looking in the registry for the key values mentioned above. Therefore, to ensure that chunking is not being used in any future analysis, delete the key values that were just created, once the analysis is complete.