How to reduce RAM usage without a reboot?

[jamjar]

@varikonniemi

Have you done a detailed assessment of what is actually holding the RAM?

More detailed than by Task Manager and HTOP?

By those, Firefox, qbittorrent, and Gajim are the principal hoarders.

[Aragorn]

@jamjar

I will let sluggishness build again and try the second command before choosing a solution and having the page close.

The second command does the same thing as the first command. It’s only a different syntax.

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@varikonniemi

This is quite weird, as the RAM used should be freed when the using program is closed.

Unfortunately, Mozilla software has quite a reputation on account of memory leaks. And browser extensions could even play a role in that.

[jamjar]

@Aragorn

The second command does the same thing as the first command. It’s only a different syntax.

In that case, the post is solved.

Of the many comments providing similar commands, choosing the one giving alternative versions and on the page itself.

@Aragorn

Unfortunately, Mozilla software has quite a reputation on account of memory leaks. And browser extensions could even play a role in that.

I am running several extensions.

[varikonniemi]

If you use those and find firefox still uses memory after closing it, why not kill the lingering processes and reclaim the memory?

If you don’t find an obvious process that is using the memory, then it is a leak deeper in the stack.

[jamjar]

@varikonniemi

If you use those and find firefox still uses memory after closing it, why not kill the lingering processes and reclaim the memory?

I believe that would work too and will try it next time I experience sluggishness.

However if both methods work, flushing the cache would have the advantage of being the same command every time while identifying the process number and killing it would look different each time.