Brother printers are widely used in homes and offices for their efficiency and reliability. However, like any electronic device, they can sometimes encounter issues, one of the most common being the "Out of Memory" error. This article will discuss the common causes of the Brother printer memory full error, and provide effective solutions on how to fix it.
This guide will discuss the following:
- Common Issues: Brother Printer Memory Full Error
- Solutions: Fix Brother Printer Out of Memory Error
- FAQs about Fixing Out of Memory in Brother Printer
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Ⅰ. Common Issues: Brother Printer Memory Full Error
When encountering an "Out of Memory" error, your Brother printer may trigger this warning due to many factors. Understanding the root cause can help us take effective measures to solve the problem.
1. What is the Memory Full Error?
An "Out of Memory" error occurs when a printer cannot process a print job because its internal memory (RAM) is full or overloaded. Printers have a limited amount of memory for storing and processing print data, including text, images, fonts, and page layout information. When the print job is too large or complex for the printer's available memory to handle, it triggers a Memory Full error. This error can prevent the printer from completing the current task and may even cause it to become very slow or unresponsive.
2. Why Does My Brother Printer Say Out of Memory?
There are several common reasons why Brother printers show "Out of Memory" error:
Large or Complex Files
Large documents, especially those containing high-resolution images, complex graphics, or many pages of content, require more memory to process. If the file is too large or too intricate, it may exceed the printer's available memory and cause the error.
Overloaded Print Queue
When there are multiple print jobs in the queue, especially if some jobs are stuck or incomplete, the printer may be unable to process new tasks. The memory used to store data for each job can quickly fill up, leading to the "Memory Full" error.
High-Resolution Print Settings
If the printer settings are set to the highest resolution (for example, printing high-quality photos), the printer will use more memory to process each page. Printing large documents or multi-page graphics at high resolution can quickly exhaust available memory.
Outdated Firmware or Drivers
If the printer's firmware or driver is outdated or malfunctioning, it may not be able to manage memory usage efficiently. In addition, older drivers may not have the necessary optimizations for managing larger or more complex print jobs, resulting in memory issues.
Limited Printer Memory
Some Brother printers, especially lower-end or older models, come with limited memory. When printing large or complex documents, the memory capacity may be insufficient to handle the workload. As a result, the printer may display a "Memory Full" error.
Network Connection Issues
If your Brother printer is connected via a network (WiFi or Ethernet), slow or unstable network connections may cause delays in data transfer. Additionally, large files may take longer to transmit, causing the printer's memory to fill up before it can process the entire job.
Multiple Concurrent Print Jobs
When multiple print jobs are sent to the printer at once, it needs to manage more data at the same time. This can lead to memory overload if the tasks are complex or the printer has limited memory.
3. Common Symptoms of Brother Printer Memory Full
You may notice the following symptoms when your Brother printer has a "Memory Full" error:
Print Job Fails to Complete: The printer may stop processing the current print job, and the print queue may get stuck, and cannot continue to print.
Display Error Message: Your Brother printer's control panel will display "Out of Memory" or a similar error message to remind the user that memory has been exhausted.
Slow Printing Speed: If your printer is processing large or complex files, you may notice that the printer's response speed becomes much slower than usual.
Print Queue Backlog: Multiple print jobs are piled up in the print queue and cannot continue to print the next job, causing the printer to be unable to complete subsequent tasks.
Printer Crashes or Restarts: In extreme cases, the printer may crash or restart automatically in an attempt to clear its memory and recover.
Ⅱ. Solutions: Fix Brother Printer Out of Memory Error
When faced with a Brother printer running out of memory, here are a series of step-by-step solutions you can take.
1. Clear the Print Queue
The first step in fixing the memory issue is to clear the print queue. If there are many pending or stuck print jobs in the queue, they can quickly take up memory space.
- Step 1: On your computer, open the "Devices and Printers" section.
- Step 2: Find and right-click your Brother printer icon, then select "See what’s printing."
- Step 3: In the print queue window, cancel or delete any unfinished or stuck print jobs.
- Step 4: If the print jobs don't delete, try restarting your Brother printer.
Clearing the print queue helps free up memory and allows the printer to focus on processing new tasks.
2. Reduce the Size of the Print File
Large files, especially those with high-resolution images or complex graphics, can consume significant printer memory. Reducing the file size before printing can decrease the strain on the printer's memory, making it more manageable.
Here are some things you can do:
- Convert the document to PDF format. PDF files are usually small and easy to manage, making them suitable for printing.
- If the document contains high-resolution images, try using image editing software to reduce the image resolution or compress the image files.
- When printing large documents, only select the pages you need to print instead of printing the entire document.
- When printing, select "Draft Mode" instead of "High Quality Mode" to reduce the memory required for each page.
3. Upgrade the Printer Memory (Extended RAM)
Some Brother printers allow users to upgrade the printer memory (RAM). If your printer model supports memory expansion, adding additional memory can help resolve the issue and improve the printer's ability to handle large or complex tasks.
- Step 1: Check if your Brother printer model supports memory upgrades. You can do this by consulting the printer's manual or visiting the Brother website for specifications.
- Step 2: If supported, purchase a compatible memory module from an authorized dealer or Brother store.
- Step 3: Follow the installation instructions provided in the manual to install the new memory module.
- Step 4: After completing the memory module installation, restart the printer and check if the memory problem is resolved.
You can watch the video below to learn more about how to replace memory on a Brother printer.
4. Adjust Printer Settings to Reduce Memory Load
You can also adjust the print settings to lighten the load on the printer's memory. This can help prevent the memory full error, especially when printing large or detailed documents.
You can follow these steps:
- Open the print settings on your computer. Select the "Print Quality" option. Change the print quality setting from "High" to "Normal" or "Draft" mode.
- Specify a page number range in the "Print Dialog Box" to control what is printed, and select only the pages you want to print.
- Select a lower resolution in the "Print Settings" and disable Advanced options to avoid using unnecessary features.
- Turn off high-load features such as image enhancement and page margin adjustment in the "Print Settings" to reduce the need for printer memory.
5. Update Printer Drivers and Firmware
Outdated printer drivers or firmware can sometimes cause memory-related issues. By updating your printer's software, you can optimize its memory usage and improve its overall performance.
- Step 1: Visit the Brother website and download the latest printer drivers and firmware updates for your printer model.
- Step 2: Enter your Brother printer model and select the firmware update appropriate for your operating system version.
- Step 3: Follow the instructions provided on the website to install and upgrade.
- Step 4: After the update is complete, restart your printer and computer. Try reprinting your job to check that the problem is resolved.
6. Reset the Printer
If none of the above methods work, performing a factory reset on the printer can sometimes resolve memory issues. Resetting the printer clears cached data and temporary memory, which can restore the printer to normal operation.
- Step 1: On your Brother printer's control panel, navigate to the "Reset" or "Restore Factory Settings" option in the "Settings" menu.
- Step 2: Follow the on-screen instructions to reset the printer.
- Step 3: After the reset is complete, reconnect the printer and try printing again. You can refer to this blog How to Reset Brother Printer for detailed instructions.
Ⅲ. FAQs about Fixing Out of Memory in Brother Printer
Q1. Why does my printer need memory, and what does it do?
Printer memory temporarily stores print data from the computer. It allows the printer to process and save multiple or complex print jobs. When memory is full, the printer cannot process new jobs efficiently, resulting in errors.
Q2. Will resetting my Brother printer erase all stored data?
Yes, a full factory reset will usually erase print queues, user settings, and stored data. If you want to retain your settings, consider other memory-clearing options, like canceling specific print jobs or clearing temporary files only.
Q3. How do I keep data in the memory of my Brother printer?
Brother iPrint&Scan supports viewing and managing print tasks and helps you save and export print tasks and logs. First, install and open Brother iPrint&Scan to connect to your Brother printer. Then, view current print tasks and logs and select the data you want to retain. If the software supports it, you can export or save the tasks and logs to the computer for later recovery.
Q4. How do I know if my printer's memory upgrade was successful?
After upgrading your Brother printer's memory, you can check if the memory was installed successfully by printing a status page or checking the printer's menus. The printer's memory or RAM is usually listed in the "Printer Information" or "System Settings" section of the control panel or web interface.
Q5. What types of files use the most memory on my Brother printer?
Files with high-resolution images, large graphical elements, or complex layouts tend to consume the most memory. Documents with a lot of embedded images, detailed charts, or very large files can overload the printer's memory quickly. Additionally, multi-page documents with a lot of color graphics may require more memory to process.
Q6. Does scanning or copying use up my printer's memory?
Yes, scanning and copying do use up memory, especially high-resolution scans or multiple-page copies. Reducing the scan resolution or copying fewer pages at a time can reduce memory pressure.
Q7. How can I prevent "Out of Memory" errors in the future?
To prevent memory errors, avoid sending large files or multiple print jobs at once. Clear the print queue regularly, and make sure you format your documents efficiently to use less memory (e.g., reduce the resolution of images when high quality is not required).
Conclusion: Clear Brother Printer Memory Full
The "Out of Memory" error on Brother printers can be frustrating, but there are many effective solutions you can try to fix the problem. By clearing the print queue, reducing file sizes, upgrading the memory, adjusting print settings, updating drivers, and resetting the printer, you can resolve the issue and restore your printer to normal operation. If the issue persists, don't hesitate to contact Brother customer support for further assistance.
