fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space (again)

Sprezzatura

I'm converting a project that compiles without error under Qt 5, to Qt 6. I'm getting the

Compiler out of heap space

error.
I've researched the other posts about this error, and they don't fix the problem.
I've added "/Zm2000" to the compiler options. No go.
This error does not occur when compiling with Qt 5.
It fails with VS 2019 and VS 2022, Qt 6.6, and Qt 6.9.
There are no egregiously large .CPP files. The largest .CPP source file is 141KB or 4,412 lines.
The .QRC file includes fifteen .PNG files totalling 176KB.
I have 32GB of RAM.

Any suggestions?

Sprezzatura

@Christian-Ehrlicher

Good news! It's working!

The solution was to upgrade from VS 2022 ver. 17.13, to ver. 17.14.
I tried getting VS to update itself, but it locked up and wiped itself. I had to download and re-install VS 17.14.

Here's the kicker: I got the suggestion from OpenAI/ChatGPT!

I'm an AI skeptic, but I have to give credit where it's due.

Also, ChatGPT suggested "-bigobj", but that didn't make a difference.

A sincere thanks to Christian and hskoglund from a 77-year old, half-blind hack :o)

Christian Ehrlicher

@Sprezzatura said in fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space (again):

Any suggestions?

Use a 64bit compiler even when you compile for 32bits.

Sprezzatura

@Christian-Ehrlicher I am using a 64-bit compiler. Compiling for 64-bit executable.

IgKh

@Sprezzatura said in fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space (again):

There are no egregiously large .CPP files.

During the compilation of which file does the error happen? Or does it happen during the link phase?

Sprezzatura

@IgKh said in fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space (again):

During the compilation of which file does the error happen?

Strangely, the error messages all point to Qt header files, which or course I have not altered or modified in any way:

C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qabstracteventdispatcher.h(18): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtGui/qbrush.h(116): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qabstracteventdispatcher.h(18): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtWidgets/qwidget.h(717): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qhash.h(2699): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qvariant.h(333): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtWidgets/qabstractbutton.h(24): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qabstracteventdispatcher.h(18): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qdebug.h(703): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qdebug.h(507): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qttypetraits.h(29): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qdebug.h(320): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qdebug.h(602): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qdebug.h(320): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qbytearrayview.h(41): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtWidgets/qwidget.h(787): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qsharedpointer_impl.h(1060): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qhash.h(863): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qabstracteventdispatcher.h(18): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.43.34808\include\optional(94): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space

IgKh

@Sprezzatura That's not what I asked. I didn't ask which file the error message points to, but rather during the compilation of which of your project files does the error happen? In C++ each project source file is compiled separately as a different compilation unit, re-parsing the header files (unless using pch).

Just post the entire build output if you don't know.

Sprezzatura

@IgKh Sorry, it looks like the error arises when compiling the first 21 .CPP files. Then the next 7 .CPP don't have the error. Then I see:

jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG065.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG013.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG034.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG_IOPL.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG021.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG028.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG030.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG031.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG059.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG078.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG093.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG093B.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG093C.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG096.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG096W.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG106.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG121.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG125.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG129.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile.Debug [debug\PG131.obj] Error 2
jom: C:\Progeny\CC_Qt\build\Desktop_Qt_6_9_0_MSVC2022_64bit-Debug\Makefile [debug] Error 2

Here's a typical error message:

PG065.CPP
C:\Qt\6.9.0\msvc2022_64\include\QtCore/qabstracteventdispatcher.h(18): fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space
	cl -c -nologo -Zc:wchar_t -FS -std:c++17 -Zc:__cplusplus -permissive- /Zm2000 -Zi -MDd -utf-8 -W0 /Fddebug\CC9.vc.pdb -DUNICODE -D_UNICODE -DWIN32 -D_ENABLE_EXTENDED_ALIGNED_STORAGE -DWIN64 -DCC_MATE -DQT_WIDGETS_LIB -DQT_HELP_LIB -DQT_PRINTSUPPORT_LIB -DQT_UITOOLS_LIB -DS4STAND_ALONE -DVERSION_MAJOR=9 -DVERSION_MINOR=0 -DVERSION_BUILD=7 -D_CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS -DWIN32 -DS4WIN32 -D_MBCS -DS4FOX -DQT_QML_DEBUG -DQT_HELP_LIB -DQT_UITOOLS_LIB -DQT_OPENGLWIDGETS_LIB -DQT_PRINTSUPPORT_LIB -DQT_WIDGETS_LIB -DQT_OPENGL_LIB -DQT_GUI_LIB -DQT_SQL_LIB -DQT_NETWORK_LIB -DQT_XML_LIB -DQT_CORE_LIB -Fodebug\PG_IOPL.obj C:\---\sandbox\CodeBase6\PG_IOPL.CPP

hskoglund

If you compile in release mode, do you still get the same compiler error?
(Also, when compiling in debug mode, try removing that -FS option.)

Christian Ehrlicher

@Sprezzatura said in fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space (again):

I am using a 64-bit compiler. Compiling for 64-bit executable.

Then you will not get this error.
What does 'where cl' prints out?

Sprezzatura

@hskoglund I get the same errors in Release mode.

The "/FS" is generated by Qt, not sure how to suppress it.
"/FS-"?

Sprezzatura

@Christian-Ehrlicher Not sure where to enter "where cl". The Terminal Window returns:

INFO: Could not find files for the given pattern(s)

The compiler I am using, according to the "Manake Kits" section, is:

Microsoft Visual C++ Compiler 17.12.35527.113 (amd64)

Not (x86), not (amd64_x86), not (x86_amd64), nor anything containing "arm".

To reiterate, it compiles successfully under Qt 5.15 + VS 2019.

BTW thank you for your help and patience :o)

Sprezzatura

@Christian-Ehrlicher Here's the output from "vswhere":

instanceId: 1b580a97
installDate: 12 Apr 2025 9:53:45 AM
installationName: VisualStudio/15.9.78+36631.12
installationPath: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2017\Professional
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installedChannelId: VisualStudio.15.Release
installedChannelUri: https://aka.ms/vs/15/release/channel
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Sprezzatura

This post is deleted!

Christian Ehrlicher

Sorry I meant where cl.exe

Sprezzatura

@Christian-Ehrlicher

where cl.exe
INFO: Could not find files for the given pattern(s).

Sprezzatura

@Christian-Ehrlicher I've found the culprit. If I include the following in the .PRO file:

QMAKE_CFLAGS += -Zc:__cplusplus
QMAKE_CFLAGS += -permissive-

It compiles successfully with Qt 5.15
However, when I include this to the .PRO file:

QMAKE_CFLAGS += -std:c++17
QMAKE_CFLAGS += -Zc:__cplusplus
QMAKE_CFLAGS += -permissive-

even Qt 5.15 fails with the "Out of Heap Space" error.
If I remove this line and try to compile with Qt 6.9, I get:

~~QMAKE_CFLAGS += -std:c++17~~

"Qt requires a C++17 compiler, and a suitable value for __cplusplus. On MSVC, you must pass the /Zc:__cplusplus option to the compiler"

Why would this option cause the Out of Heap Space error? Are there other options I need to add?

Christian Ehrlicher

You have to call it in the console where you build you Qt... you are using a 32bit compiler.

λ where cl
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\bin\Hostx64\x64\cl.exe

Sprezzatura

@Christian-Ehrlicher
[1] Here's what is displayed in the Compile Output window when I delete the "-nologo" option:

Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 19.43.34810 for x64
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

Note the "x64".

[2] My .PRO file contains:

contains(QT_ARCH, i386) {
    message("32-bit" $$QT_ARCH $$QT_VERSION)
}
contains(QT_ARCH, x86_64) {
    message("64-bit" $$QT_ARCH $$QT_VERSION)
}

This is displayed in the Compile Output window:

Project MESSAGE: 64-bit x86_64 6.9.0

[3] I tried creating a new Kit and adding a 32-bit compiler. Qt flat out rejected it.

[4] What does the "λ" lambda mean in your example?
When you say "the console where you build your Qt", do you mean the Terminal window in Qt Creator?
When I do that, I get:

>where cl
INFO: Could not find files for the given pattern(s).

I'm using Windows.

Christian Ehrlicher

@Sprezzatura said in fatal error C1060: compiler is out of heap space (again):

where cl
INFO: Could not find files for the given pattern(s).

Again: execute this on the command line where you also compiled your Qt. Execatly where you did 'cl -nologo'
You are using a 32bit compiler which creates 64 bit executables. Or you have very low ram on your system which I doubt.

hskoglund

In my VS2002 installation there are 4 different cl.exe versions:
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.43.34808\bin\Hostx86\x86\cl.exe
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.43.34808\bin\Hostx86\x64\cl.exe
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.43.34808\bin\Hostx64\x86\cl.exe
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.43.34808\bin\Hostx64\x64\cl.exe

Two of them (the ..\Hostx86\x64\cl.exe and the ..\Hostx64\x64\cl.exe will show the same output:
"Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 19.43.34810 for x64" and both will compile and build 64 bit ..exe files for Qt6.

So you have a 50% chance of running the correct compiler, i.e. the cl.exe in the subdirectory ..\Hostx64\x64