It's not possible to answer your question you have not provided the source code and relevant serial output all in code tags nor the wiring diagrams of the failing setup.
What proof do you have of 'RAM issues'
You might want to read the pinned post re 'How to get the best from the forum', then read one or more of the tutorials on State machines and on doing multiple things at the same time.
the above statement shows a major misunderstanding on your part. The Nerds tutorial on ESP-NOW will be useful.