HP Error 20 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Updated July 2026 · Independent PrinterCare USA support guide
Error 20 on your HP LaserJet can be incredibly frustrating because it prevents you from printing even simple documents, leaving you wondering if your printer is failing. The good news is that this error almost never means your printer is broken—it simply means the device has exhausted its RAM while processing a job, usually due to a large file, complex graphics, or a temporary software glitch.
This error appears most often when printing high-resolution images, multi-page PDF files with embedded fonts, or documents with extensive formatting from Microsoft Word or Adobe software. The fix depends on whether you want a quick temporary solution or a permanent resolution, and we'll walk you through both options.
How to fix it — step by step
- Power cycle the printer completely. Turn off your HP LaserJet using the power button on the front panel, and wait for all lights to stop flashing. Unplug the power cable from the back of the printer and leave it disconnected for a full sixty seconds. Plug the power cable back in, turn the printer on, and wait for the ready light to appear before attempting to print again.
- Clear the print queue on your computer. On Windows 11, open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers and Scanners, select your HP printer, and click Remove Device. On macOS, go to System Settings, navigate to General, then Printers and Scanners, select your HP printer, and click the minus button to remove it. Restart your computer and add the printer back by going through the standard add printer process.
- Restart the print spooler service on Windows. Press Windows Key plus R, type services.msc, and click OK to open the Services window. Find Print Spooler in the list, right-click it, select Restart, and wait for the service to fully restart. This clears any corrupted print jobs that might be stuck in the queue causing memory errors.
- Simplify your document before printing. Remove or reduce the resolution of any images in your document, delete unnecessary pages, and convert complex PDFs to simpler formats if possible. Try printing just the first few pages of a large document to isolate whether the error happens with specific content or all jobs. This helps you determine if the error is file-specific or a broader printer memory issue.
- Update the printer firmware through the HP web interface. Find your printer's IP address by printing a network configuration page from your printer's menu, then type that IP address into your web browser to access the printer's web interface. Look for the Administration or Settings section, find Firmware Update, and check for available updates. Download and install any available firmware updates, as these often include memory management improvements that resolve error twenty.
- Install additional memory modules if the printer supports upgrades. Consult your specific HP LaserJet model's manual to determine if it accepts optional memory upgrades, which typically cost between sixty and one hundred ninety dollars depending on capacity. If your model supports memory expansion, power off the printer, locate the memory access panel on the back or bottom, and install the new RAM module according to the manual's instructions. This permanently increases the printer's available memory and resolves error twenty for large or complex documents.
- Check for driver updates on your computer. Visit the HP support website, enter your printer model number, download the latest printer driver for Windows 11 or macOS, and run the installation file. Restart your computer after installation completes, as outdated drivers can cause memory allocation problems between your computer and printer. This ensures your operating system is communicating efficiently with your printer's memory.
- Contact HP remote support if the issue persists. If error twenty continues after trying the steps above, HP offers remote diagnostic and repair support for approximately forty-nine dollars per incident, which includes memory testing and advanced troubleshooting. A technician can access your printer remotely, run diagnostic tests, and resolve persistent issues without you needing to schedule an in-person service visit. This option is available through HP's support website or by calling their technical support line.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does error 20 keep happening even after I power cycle the printer?
Recurring error twenty typically indicates that your print jobs are genuinely too large for your printer's available memory, not just a temporary glitch. This happens most often with high-resolution image files, complex PDF documents, or files with multiple embedded fonts. You'll need to either simplify your documents, upgrade your printer's memory with optional modules, or use a higher-capacity printer model.
Can error 20 be caused by a problem with my computer or network?
Yes, absolutely—outdated printer drivers on Windows 11 or macOS, network connectivity issues, or corrupted files on your computer can all trigger error twenty on your HP LaserJet. Start by updating your printer driver from the HP website and ensuring your printer has a stable network connection. If the error only happens with specific files, the problem is likely that file itself rather than the printer hardware.
Is error 20 dangerous or will it damage my printer?
Error twenty is completely harmless and will not damage your HP LaserJet printer in any way. The printer simply stops processing the job and displays the error message as a safety mechanism to prevent unpredictable behavior. You can safely power cycle the printer and try again without any risk of hardware damage.
How much does it cost to upgrade memory on an HP LaserJet printer?
Optional memory upgrades for HP LaserJet printers typically range from sixty dollars for smaller capacity modules to one hundred ninety dollars for maximum capacity upgrades, depending on your specific printer model. You can install these yourself following the manual, or you can have a technician do it for you for an additional service fee. Check your printer's documentation to confirm it supports memory upgrades before purchasing modules.