In our recent webinar, we explored one of the most frustrating and difficult-to-diagnose issues in Java applications: native memory leaks.
While Java developers are well-versed in dealing with heap memory leaks using tools like heap dumps and profilers, native memory leaks are a different beast altogether. These leaks occur outside the Java heap, making them invisible to traditional JVM monitoring tools—and often go undetected until they cause unexplained crashes, performance degradation, or instability in production environments.
This session was designed to shine a light on this often-overlooked problem.
What We Covered
Our speaker took the audience deep into the inner workings of native memory in the JVM. From how native memory is allocated, to why it leaks, to the real-world impact on live systems—every concept was broken down with clarity.
We walked through real production examples where native memory was quietly consumed over time due to issues like:
- Improper use of Direct ByteBuffers
- Leaks through JNI (Java Native Interface)
- Thread-local storage and unmanaged thread creation
- Leaky or misbehaving third-party libraries
What made this session especially valuable was its practical focus. Rather than just identifying the issue, we spent time on how to detect, analyze, and fix these leaks using purpose-built tools and diagnostics that go beyond what heap analysis offers.
Why This Matters
Native memory issues don’t just affect niche applications. They hide in plain sight and can affect any long-running, memory-intensive Java process—especially under high load or when integrated with native libraries.
If you’re experiencing JVM crashes without clear root causes, or if your application keeps running out of memory despite healthy-looking heap metrics, it’s time to look outside the heap.
We’ve also covered the topic extensively in this companion blog post: Java Native Memory Leaks – Causes, Detection & Fixes
Key Takeaways:
- Understand how native memory is managed in Java applications
- Learn the key differences between heap and native memory leaks
- Discover common sources of native memory leaks (e.g., JNI, direct buffers, threads, third-party libraries)
- Gain actionable steps to detect, analyze, and fix native leaks before they impact production
Webinar Deck
Revisit the key concepts and solutions discussed during the session:
Webinar Recording
Here’s the full webinar recording to revisit the expert insights and strategies shared during the session:
Q&A Session
Our experts addressed some excellent questions from attendees, shedding light on real-world Java performance challenges.
Participant Feedback
We always appreciate hearing from you! Here’s what our attendees had to say about this session.
Stay Tuned for Next Month!
We host a webinar every month covering key topics in Java performance and troubleshooting. Stay connected for details on our next session!
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