Darkbloom model won’t load: not enough memory
Switching to a larger Darkbloom model sometimes fails with a memory error right after another model ran, even on a Mac with enough memory.
Why it happens
macOS keeps recently read files, including the last model’s weights, in its file cache. Darkbloom counts that memory as in use when it decides whether a model fits, so the cache can block a model that would otherwise load.
Fix
- Stop or switch away from the current model.
- Clear the file cache: run sudo purge in Terminal and enter your Mac password.
- Load the larger model again.
- If it still fails, close memory-heavy apps. If it fails with nothing else running, the model is too big for this Mac.
How Bloomkeeper helps
With your one-time permission, Bloomkeeper clears the file cache before every model switch (it is allowed to run only the purge command) and counts that memory when it checks whether a larger model fits.
Questions
Why does Darkbloom say not enough memory when my Mac has enough?
macOS is holding the previous model’s files in its file cache and Darkbloom counts that as used memory. Run sudo purge, then load the model again.
Is sudo purge safe?
Yes. It only empties the file cache; macOS reloads files from disk as needed. The next few file reads are a little slower.
Related
Updated 2026-09-26. Still stuck? Ask in #bloom-dash-optimizer on the Darkbloom Slack or contact us. Bloomkeeper is independent and not affiliated with Darkbloom.