- Printers
- Laser printer
20.0000
HP 20.0000 on a laser printer: memory out while printing
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Low
Quick answer
The printer does not have enough RAM to process this print job. Turn it off and on and print again. If it repeats, try a different HP print driver or, with the PCL 6 driver, use the optimize for raster path setting.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- If you continue a job that exceeds memory, the page may print incomplete. Check the output before relying on it.
Safe checks you can perform
- Restart and retry
- Driver or raster path
- Test with a simple document
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Memory and settings review
- Do not attempt this professional task: Memory upgrade if the model allows it
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Memory and settings review
What they doIf 20.0000 appears even with simple jobs, HP support reviews the installed memory and the driver settings.
They must show youthe configuration page with the installed memory.
In writingwhat was changed and a correct test print.
Memory upgrade if the model allows it
What they doHP mentions adding memory if possible; a technician confirms whether your model accepts an upgrade and which module.
They must show youmemory before and after on the configuration page.
In writingthe reference of the module installed.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Restart and retry
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- turn the printer off, turn it back on and send the same job again.
- Result that matters:
- the job prints without 20.0000.
- If it prints:
- it was a one off memory state.
- If it returns with the same document:
- try another driver or the raster path option.
- Evidence to keep:
- note of the document that caused the error.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Pro - Troubleshoot 20.xx (memory failure) and 21.xx (print failure) error messages
Driver or raster path
- Who:
- you, on the computer.
- How:
- download a different print driver for your model from HP's support site or, if you use PCL 6, turn on optimize for raster path in the printing preferences.
- Result that matters:
- the same document prints.
- If it prints:
- the driver or its setting was the cause.
- If it still fails:
- try a simple document to narrow it down.
- Evidence to keep:
- screenshot of the driver and setting used.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Pro - Troubleshoot 20.xx (memory failure) and 21.xx (print failure) error messages
Test with a simple document
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- print a text only page from the same computer.
- Result that matters:
- that page prints normally.
- If it prints:
- the large document is hitting the limit; split it into parts.
- If even a simple page gives 20.0000:
- contact HP support.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the panel with the code and a note of the tests.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Pro - Troubleshoot 20.xx (memory failure) and 21.xx (print failure) error messages
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Printers
- Brand
- HP
- Product type
- Laser printer
Known code variants
- HP 20.0000
- HP 20.xx memoria
- HP 20.xx memory error
- HP LaserJet 20.0000
- HP memory out in print
- memoria insuficiente en impresión HP
What it means
HP defines 20.0000 on LaserJet Pro printers as memory out in print: the job needs more RAM than the printer has to process it. It is a memory limit, not a fault, and usually depends on the size or complexity of the document and on the driver. HP suggests restarting and retrying, switching drivers, using optimize for raster path with PCL 6 and, where the model allows it, adding memory. Codes 20.0001 to 20.0006 are the same limit in copy, scan, photo and fax.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Loweditorial warning
If you continue a job that exceeds memory, the page may print incomplete. Check the output before relying on it.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Pro - Troubleshoot 20.xx (memory failure) and 21.xx (print failure) error messages
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Job too large for the RAMCommon
This is HP's definition. It fits if the error appears with one heavy or image rich document and not with simpler ones.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Pro - Troubleshoot 20.xx (memory failure) and 21.xx (print failure) error messages
- Driver not suited to the jobPossible
HP suggests trying another driver and, with PCL 6, the raster path option. If it prints with another driver, that was the cause.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Pro - Troubleshoot 20.xx (memory failure) and 21.xx (print failure) error messages
Virtual technician
Does 20.0000 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
HP LaserJet Pro - Troubleshoot 20.xx (memory failure) and 21.xx (print failure) error messages
HP Support · official_doc
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