64
HP Printer
Severity: CriticalWhat Does This Error Mean?
Error 64 is a scan buffer error on HP LaserJet printers. The printer's scan buffer — the memory area used to prepare a page for printing — encountered a problem. This usually means the print job data is corrupted or the printer's memory is faulty.
Affected Models
- HP LaserJet 4000 Series
- HP LaserJet 4050 Series
- HP LaserJet 4100 Series
- HP LaserJet 5000 Series
- HP LaserJet Enterprise M600 Series
Common Causes
- A corrupted or badly formatted print job was sent to the printer
- The printer driver on your computer is outdated or mismatched with the printer model
- The printer's RAM memory module is faulty or has become unseated
- A PostScript or PCL print language error occurred in the data stream
- The printer's formatter board is failing and cannot process page data correctly
How to Fix It
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Cancel all print jobs from every computer that sends jobs to this printer. Then power cycle the printer.
On Windows, open Devices and Printers, right-click the printer, select 'See what's printing', and cancel all jobs.
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Uninstall the current printer driver from your computer. Download the latest driver from HP's official support website and reinstall it.
Using the wrong driver — even one that is close but not exact — is a common cause of scan buffer errors.
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Try printing a simple document like a plain text file or a one-page Word document.
Complex PDFs with high-resolution images are more likely to trigger buffer errors. Testing with a simple file helps isolate the cause.
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If you have added RAM to the printer, open the printer and reseat the memory module. Make sure it is fully clicked into its slot.
A memory module that is even slightly loose can cause intermittent buffer errors.
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Access the printer's control panel and set the print language to 'Auto' instead of forcing a specific language like PostScript or PCL.
A language mismatch between the print job and the printer setting is a common and easy-to-fix cause of error 64.
When to Call a Professional
If the error persists after clearing all print jobs and reinstalling the driver, the RAM module or formatter board may need replacement. A technician can run diagnostics to determine which component is at fault. Formatter board replacement typically costs $100 to $300.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a scan buffer in a printer?
A scan buffer is a section of the printer's memory used to temporarily hold page data while the printer processes it. Think of it like a staging area — the print job goes in, the printer organizes it, and then sends it to be printed. If the data is corrupted or too large, the buffer fails and triggers error 64.
Does error 64 mean I need to buy a new printer?
Not necessarily. Most error 64 cases are caused by bad print jobs or outdated drivers — both easy fixes. Only if the error persists after all software fixes should you suspect a hardware problem. Hardware fixes (RAM or formatter board) can be worthwhile on newer, expensive printers.
Can a specific file cause this error every time?
Yes. If a particular PDF or image file is corrupted, it will trigger error 64 every time you try to print it. Try opening the file in a different app and printing from there. Or export it to a different format (like printing to PDF first) and try again.