24
HP Printer
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Error 24 on an HP printer means the printer's memory ran out while trying to process a print job. The printer received more data than its RAM can hold at one time. This most often happens with very complex documents — large graphics, photos, or documents with many different fonts. The fix usually involves simplifying the document, reducing print resolution, or adding more memory to the printer.
Affected Models
- HP LaserJet 4
- HP LaserJet 4 Plus
- HP LaserJet 5
- HP LaserJet 4Si
- HP LaserJet 5Si
Common Causes
- The print job contains complex graphics or images that exceed the printer's available RAM
- A document with many different fonts requires more memory than the printer has installed
- Printing at a high resolution (600 dpi or 1200 dpi) requires significantly more memory per page
- Multiple large print jobs sent to the printer at the same time are competing for memory
- The printer has minimal RAM installed and does not have enough capacity for modern complex documents
How to Fix It
-
Press the Continue or Go button on the printer to continue printing. The printer will attempt to print what it has in memory. Some pages may be missing content, but this clears the error immediately.
Pressing Continue tells the printer to print what it has processed so far, even if the memory was too full to hold the entire page. You may get a partial print.
-
Try reducing the print resolution. In the print dialog on your computer, change the quality setting from 600 dpi to 300 dpi. Lower resolution requires significantly less memory per page.
For most text documents, 300 dpi is perfectly readable. Only detailed photo prints or fine graphics benefit meaningfully from 600 dpi.
-
If printing a PDF, try printing with 'Print as Image' enabled. In Adobe Reader, click Advanced in the print dialog and check 'Print as image'. This converts each page to a raster image before sending, which is sometimes more efficient for memory.
This option is particularly helpful for PDFs with complex vector graphics that consume large amounts of printer memory when processed as PostScript.
-
Reduce the number of fonts in the document. Each embedded font uses printer memory. If the document uses 10 or more different font faces, consolidating to 2–3 fonts can significantly reduce memory requirements.
Open the document in Word or your document editor and check the font list. Replace decorative or unusual fonts with standard printer-resident fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier.
-
If error 24 is a recurring problem, consider upgrading the printer's RAM. Most older HP LaserJet models have a SIMM or DIMM memory slot on the side or back. Check your printer's manual for the compatible RAM specification.
Adding a 16 MB or 32 MB DIMM (available for $15–$40 online for older LaserJet models) permanently eliminates most memory overflow errors. Installation takes about 5 minutes.
When to Call a Professional
Error 24 is usually fixable without a technician. If you regularly print complex documents, adding RAM to the printer is the permanent solution. RAM upgrades for older HP LaserJet models cost $15–$60 and are user-installable. If the issue is with a single document, simplifying the document costs nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will error 24 damage my printer?
No — error 24 is a recoverable memory overflow. The printer stops processing and waits for you to press Continue. No hardware is damaged. The only downside is a failed or partial print job.
How much RAM does my HP LaserJet have?
Older HP LaserJet models (4, 5 series) typically come with 4 MB or 8 MB of RAM. You can check the current memory by printing a configuration page: hold the Go button for 5–10 seconds. The printed page shows total installed RAM. Upgrading to 16 MB or 32 MB is recommended for modern print jobs.
Why did my document print fine last week but causes error 24 today?
The document may have changed — perhaps someone added more images, photos, or a new font. Alternatively, other memory-resident data in the printer (downloaded fonts, macros) may have accumulated and left less free RAM for your job. Print a configuration page to check total and free memory.