Workload Automation System Agent Install Fails with "CreateProcess error=1455, The paging file is too small"

Products

• Workload Automation Agent

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to install or upgrade the Workload Automation System Agent on Windows Server, the installation fails during the post-install phase. The install log reveals the following error during the generation of files or keystores:

:Unexpected error occurred during file generation:

   Exception: java.lang.RuntimeException: Error generating keystores: exception:java.io.IOException: Cannot run program "cmd": CreateProcess error=1455, The paging file is too small for this operation to complete

   Exception Message: Error generating keystores: exception:java.io.IOException: Cannot run program "cmd": CreateProcess error=1455, The paging file is too small for this operation to complete

   Exception stack trace:

java.lang.RuntimeException: Error generating keystores: exception:java.io.IOException: Cannot run program "cmd": CreateProcess error=1455, The paging file is too small for this operation to complete

at com.ca.generator.GenerateFiles.generateKeystores(GenerateFiles.java:1145)

at com.ca.generator.GenerateFilesDriver.main(GenerateFilesDriver.java:31)

Caused by: java.io.IOException: Cannot run program "cmd": CreateProcess error=1455, The paging file is too small for this operation to complete

at java.lang.ProcessBuilder.start(ProcessBuilder.java:1048)

at java.lang.Runtime.exec(Runtime.java:621)

at java.lang.Runtime.exec(Runtime.java:451)

at java.lang.Runtime.exec(Runtime.java:348)

at com.ca.generator.GenerateFiles.runCommand(GenerateFiles.java:1446)

at com.ca.generator.GenerateFiles.generateKeystores(GenerateFiles.java:1117)

... 1 more

Caused by: java.io.IOException: CreateProcess error=1455, The paging file is too small for this operation to complete

at java.lang.ProcessImpl.create(Native Method)

at java.lang.ProcessImpl.<init>(ProcessImpl.java:453)

at java.lang.ProcessImpl.start(ProcessImpl.java:139)

at java.lang.ProcessBuilder.start(ProcessBuilder.java:1029)

... 6 more

 

Environment

• Workload Automation Agent (All supported versions)
• Microsoft Windows Server (All supported versions)

Cause

This is a Windows operating system-level error indicating that the system has reached its "commit limit." The Java process attempting to spawn cmd.exe or keytool.exe fails because there is insufficient virtual memory (paging file) to support the new process. This can be caused by:

• The paging file being set too small for the current workload.
• The disk drive hosting the paging file being out of space.
• Significant memory fragmentation preventing the allocation of the required memory block.

Resolution

1. Adjust Paging File Settings: Consult with your Windows Administrator to increase the size of the paging file. Ensure it meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for the server's physical RAM and current load.
2. Verify Disk Space: Ensure the disk drive where the paging file resides (typically C:) has sufficient free space.
3. Reboot the Server: A reboot will clear memory fragmentation and release leaked memory from background processes, which often resolves the CreateProcess 1455 error temporarily.
4. Resource Management: Use Task Manager to identify and terminate unnecessary background processes that may be consuming excessive virtual memory.