Set vector_memory_size with SCOPE=SPFILE and restart the database for it to apply; the setting does nothing until the restart. On the 23ai Free edition with 2 GB of RAM, keep the allocation conservative so the vector pool does not starve core processes. Verify the actual SGA composition in the startup log, not just the parameter value.

Context: Oracle 23ai vector memory troubleshooting: documents the gotcha that AI Vector Search needs vector_memory_size set explicitly via ALTER SYSTEM with SCOPE=SPFILE, followed by a restart to take effect. The 23ai Free edition is limited to 2 GB of RAM, so over-allocating the vector pool starves other database processes; start conservative.

## Matched source
Source: Published skill
Original query: "Oracle 23ai vector search needs vector_memory_size set plus a restart"
Key terms: 23ai, memory, needs, oracle, plus, restart, search, size, vector