Error while opening document from bytes 'bad allocation'

Curtis Chau

Updated: April 22, 2026

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  # Error while opening document from bytes 'bad allocation' Processing large PDF documents can be crucial for some businesses. When using IronPDF to load an existing PDF file, IronPDF allocates a portion of memory to store the loaded PDF. Applications running on **32-bit** have a memory limit of **2 GB** per process. Loading a PDF file larger than 500 MB can exceed this limitation, resulting in a 'bad allocation' exception. Exception message: ```txt IronPdf.Exceptions.IronPdfNativeException: 'Error while opening document from bytes: 'bad allocation'. ``` ## Solution To solve this, please set the application to run on **64-bit**. This allows the application to access a larger memory space, avoiding the 'bad allocation' error. Follow these steps to configure your Visual Studio project to target a 64-bit platform: ```cs // Open your project in Visual Studio // In the Solution Explorer, right-click on your project and select 'Properties' // Navigate to the 'Build' tab // Select 'x64' from the 'Platform target' dropdown <PropertyGroup> <PlatformTarget>x64</PlatformTarget> </PropertyGroup> // Save your changes and rebuild the project ``` By setting the platform target to x64, the application can utilize the expanded memory capacity of a 64-bit system, thereby preventing memory allocation issues related to large PDF files.

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Processing large PDF documents can be crucial for some businesses.

When using IronPDF to load an existing PDF file, IronPDF allocates a portion of memory to store the loaded PDF. Applications running on 32-bit have a memory limit of 2 GB per process. Loading a PDF file larger than 500 MB can exceed this limitation, resulting in a 'bad allocation' exception.

Exception message:

IronPdf.Exceptions.IronPdfNativeException: 'Error while opening document from bytes: 'bad allocation'.

IronPdf.Exceptions.IronPdfNativeException: 'Error while opening document from bytes: 'bad allocation'.

Solution

To solve this, please set the application to run on 64-bit. This allows the application to access a larger memory space, avoiding the 'bad allocation' error. Follow these steps to configure your Visual Studio project to target a 64-bit platform:

// Open your project in Visual Studio
// In the Solution Explorer, right-click on your project and select 'Properties'

// Navigate to the 'Build' tab

// Select 'x64' from the 'Platform target' dropdown
<PropertyGroup>
  <PlatformTarget>x64</PlatformTarget>
</PropertyGroup>

// Save your changes and rebuild the project

// Open your project in Visual Studio
// In the Solution Explorer, right-click on your project and select 'Properties'

// Navigate to the 'Build' tab

// Select 'x64' from the 'Platform target' dropdown
<PropertyGroup>
  <PlatformTarget>x64</PlatformTarget>
</PropertyGroup>

// Save your changes and rebuild the project

' Open your project in Visual Studio
' In the Solution Explorer, right-click on your project and select 'Properties'

' Navigate to the 'Build' tab

' Select 'x64' from the 'Platform target' dropdown
(Of PropertyGroup) (Of PlatformTarget) x64</PlatformTarget> </PropertyGroup>

' Save your changes and rebuild the project

' Open your project in Visual Studio
' In the Solution Explorer, right-click on your project and select 'Properties'

' Navigate to the 'Build' tab

' Select 'x64' from the 'Platform target' dropdown
(Of PropertyGroup) (Of PlatformTarget) x64</PlatformTarget> </PropertyGroup>

' Save your changes and rebuild the project

By setting the platform target to x64, the application can utilize the expanded memory capacity of a 64-bit system, thereby preventing memory allocation issues related to large PDF files.

Curtis Chau

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Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

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