diff --git a/gallery_app.py b/gallery_app.py
index 8622630..7bb45a3 100644
--- a/gallery_app.py
+++ b/gallery_app.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class AppState:
         
         # View Settings
         self.page = 0
-        self.page_size = 24
+        self.page_size = 12  # Reduced from 24 to prevent memory issues
         self.grid_cols = 4
         self.preview_quality = 50 
         
@@ -608,24 +608,7 @@ def set_page(p: int):
     state._dirty_pagination = True
     state._dirty_gallery = True
     refresh_ui()
-    
-    # Preload next page in background
-    asyncio.create_task(preload_adjacent_pages())
-
-async def preload_adjacent_pages():
-    """Preload thumbnails for adjacent pages in background."""
-    pages_to_preload = []
-    
-    if state.page < state.total_pages - 1:
-        next_start = (state.page + 1) * state.page_size
-        pages_to_preload.extend(state.all_images[next_start:next_start + state.page_size])
-    
-    if pages_to_preload:
-        await run.cpu_bound(
-            SorterEngine.load_batch_parallel,
-            pages_to_preload,
-            state.preview_quality
-        )
+    # Removed background preloading - was causing memory issues
 
 def refresh_ui():
     """Refresh dirty UI components only."""