Brother Printer Error Code 24 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error 24 means the printer's memory is completely full. Too much print data has accumulated in the buffer and the printer cannot accept any more until it is cleared. Printing is paused until the memory is freed up.

Affected Models

Brother HL-L2350DW
Brother HL-L3270CDW
Brother MFC-L2710DW
Brother DCP-L2550DW
Brother MFC-J6545DW

Common Causes

Multiple large print jobs were sent to the printer at the same time and filled the buffer
A single very large document — such as a booklet or high-resolution photo document — filled the memory
The printer received a job but was unable to print it, causing data to pile up in the buffer
The printer is set to a very high resolution, making each page's data much larger than necessary
An older Brother printer model with limited built-in memory is being used for modern, data-heavy documents

How to Fix It

Go to your computer's print queue and cancel all pending jobs.

This frees up the printer's memory immediately. Remove every queued job, not just the most recent one.
Turn the printer off and back on to flush its memory buffer completely.

Powering off clears anything remaining in the printer's RAM that was not already printed.
Reduce the print resolution in your driver settings before resending the job.

Dropping from 1200 DPI to 600 DPI reduces the data size significantly and is often enough to prevent the error.
If printing a large document, break it into smaller batches of 10 to 20 pages.

Sending smaller chunks prevents the buffer from filling up before the printer can process earlier pages.
Check if your Brother printer model supports a RAM upgrade and consider installing one.

Many Brother laser printers support additional memory modules. Adding more RAM lets the printer handle larger jobs.

When to Call a Professional

Error 24 is usually resolved through settings changes and queue management. If your printer regularly hits memory limits even with simple documents, the printer's RAM may have failed. Memory board diagnosis and replacement at a repair shop runs $60 to $110.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much memory does a typical Brother laser printer have?

Most entry-level Brother laser printers come with 32 MB or 64 MB of built-in memory. Mid-range models typically have 128 MB to 256 MB. For heavy printing, especially graphics-heavy documents, 256 MB or more is recommended. Check your model's spec sheet for the exact amount.

Can I clear the printer memory without turning it off?

On some Brother models, pressing the X or Cancel button repeatedly will flush the current print job from the buffer. However, turning the printer off and on is the most reliable way to clear all memory and start fresh.

Does error 24 delete my print jobs permanently?

Yes — when the printer clears its memory, the print data is gone. You will need to send the job again from your computer. The original file on your computer is unaffected — only the queued print data in the printer's buffer is lost.