Brother Printer Error Code 25 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error 25 means the printer ran out of memory while trying to print a duplex (double-sided) job. Duplex printing requires the printer to hold an entire page in memory while it flips the paper. The page data was too large for the available memory.

Affected Models

Brother HL-L2350DW
Brother HL-L2390DW
Brother MFC-L2710DW
Brother MFC-L2750DW
Brother DCP-L2550DW

Common Causes

The pages being printed in duplex mode contain complex graphics or images that require too much memory
The printer resolution is set very high, making duplex memory requirements much larger
The printer's available memory is already partially used by other data when the duplex job arrives
The printer model has limited built-in memory and is not well suited for duplex printing of large files
An older or less capable Brother model is handling a document designed for a higher-end printer

How to Fix It

Cancel the current job and restart the printer.

Clearing the queue and restarting frees up any fragmented memory that was left over from previous jobs.
Reduce the print resolution. In your Brother driver, change from 1200 DPI to 600 DPI before resending.

Lower resolution dramatically reduces the memory needed for each page, especially for duplex printing.
Try printing the document in single-sided mode first to confirm it prints correctly.

If single-sided works fine, the issue is specifically with the memory requirements of duplex mode for that document.
In the printer driver, enable 'Page Protection' if your model offers it.

Page Protection helps the printer manage memory more efficiently for complex pages, reducing overrun and full-memory errors.
Consider upgrading the printer's RAM if your model supports it.

Go to brother.com, search your model number, and check the Specifications tab for optional memory information.

When to Call a Professional

Error 25 is generally solved by adjusting settings rather than hardware repair. If you need to regularly print complex double-sided documents, a RAM upgrade is the best long-term solution. A Brother-compatible RAM module typically costs $15 to $40 and can be self-installed on supported models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does error 25 only happen with duplex printing?

Yes — error 25 is specifically triggered during duplex jobs. If you print the same document in single-sided mode and it works, the error is definitely related to the memory overhead that duplex printing requires. Single-sided printing uses roughly half the memory of duplex for the same document.

Will turning off duplex printing permanently fix the issue?

It will prevent error 25, but you would lose the ability to print double-sided. The better long-term fix is to either reduce print resolution or add more RAM to the printer. Both allow you to continue printing duplex without errors.

Can I print a duplex job in parts to avoid the error?

Yes — print odd pages first, then even pages, using the manual duplex option if your printer has it. Alternatively, break a 40-page document into 10-page sections and print each section as a separate duplex job. This gives the printer memory time to clear between sections.