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Fix Memory Full Error – Printer Troubleshooting Guide | TroubleshootMyPrinter




How to Fix: Memory Full Error

The printer displays a ‘Memory Full’ or ‘Out of Memory’ error, unable to process print jobs due to insufficient RAM. This occurs most often with complex documents, high-resolution images, or when multiple large jobs are queued simultaneously, particularly on printers with limited onboard memory. This guide walks you through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to fix memory full error on any printer, regardless of brand or model.

Common Causes

This problem is most often caused by one or more of the following:

  • Print job is too large or complex for the printer’s available memory
  • High-resolution images or complex graphics overwhelming the printer’s buffer
  • Multiple large print jobs queued simultaneously
  • Printer firmware using excessive memory due to a bug or misconfiguration
  • Fax memory full with received faxes that have not been printed or forwarded

Step-by-Step Solution

Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue. Test your printer after each step.

  1. Step 1: Cancel the current print job and try printing fewer pages at a time
  2. Step 2: Reduce the print resolution from 1200 dpi to 600 dpi in the driver settings
  3. Step 3: Simplify complex documents by reducing image quality or converting to PDF before printing
  4. Step 4: Clear the printer’s memory by power cycling it (turn off, wait 30 seconds, turn on)
  5. Step 5: If fax memory is full, print or delete stored faxes from the printer’s fax menu
  6. Step 6: Upgrade the printer’s RAM if it has an expansion slot (check printer specifications)
  7. Step 7: Switch from PostScript to PCL driver, which typically uses less printer memory

Brand-Specific Troubleshooting

Some printer brands require slightly different troubleshooting approaches. See the brand-specific guidance below.

Hp Printers

HP LaserJet printers display error ’07.x’ or ‘Out of Memory’ when RAM is exhausted. Many HP LaserJet Enterprise and Pro models have DIMM slots for memory expansion. The HP EWS (Embedded Web Server) shows current memory usage under the System > Device Information page.

For more Hp-specific troubleshooting, visit our Hp Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Brother Printers

Brother printers display ‘Out of Memory’ or ‘Memory Full’ errors. Brother’s ‘Reduce Data’ option in the driver settings can help by compressing the print data. Some Brother models support SO-DIMM memory upgrades — check the model specifications.

For more Brother-specific troubleshooting, visit our Brother Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Lexmark Printers

Lexmark printers display error ’38 Memory Full’ or ’35 Insufficient Memory.’ Lexmark provides memory upgrade options for most business models. The printer’s menu can show available vs. total memory. Lexmark recommends 256MB minimum for complex documents.

For more Lexmark-specific troubleshooting, visit our Lexmark Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Xerox Printers

Xerox printers may display ‘Memory Full – Send Later’ errors during complex jobs. The CentreWare web interface shows memory allocation and can clear stored jobs. Xerox enterprise models typically have 2GB+ of RAM and rarely encounter this issue.

For more Xerox-specific troubleshooting, visit our Xerox Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Related Problems

Users experiencing memory full error often encounter these related issues:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my printer’s available memory?

Print a configuration page from the printer’s menu, which usually shows total and available memory. On network printers, you can also check through the Embedded Web Server by typing the printer’s IP address in a web browser. Some printers show memory information in the System or Device Information section of the control panel menu.

Can I add more memory to my printer?

Many laser printers, especially business and enterprise models, have memory expansion slots (usually DIMM or SO-DIMM). Check your printer’s specifications for maximum supported memory and compatible memory types. Consumer inkjet printers generally do not support memory upgrades. Adding memory is recommended if you regularly print complex documents or high-resolution graphics.

Why does my printer run out of memory on complex documents?

Printers process each page in memory before printing. Complex pages with high-resolution images, embedded fonts, transparency effects, or vector graphics require significant memory to render. The printer must hold the entire rendered page in its buffer. Reduce the print resolution, simplify graphics, or print in smaller batches to work within the printer’s memory limitations.

Need brand-specific help?

This guide covers the general fix. For model-specific instructions, find your printer brand below and navigate to your exact model for tailored troubleshooting steps.