39
HP Printer
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Error 39 on HP printers means the printer received a print job that is too complex or too large to process. The printer's memory ran out before it could finish building the page. This usually happens with documents that have large images, many fonts, or very dense graphics.
Affected Models
- HP LaserJet Pro M100 Series
- HP LaserJet Pro M200 Series
- HP LaserJet Pro M400 Series
- HP LaserJet Enterprise M500 Series
- HP LaserJet 4000 Series
Common Causes
- The document contains high-resolution images that exceed the printer's memory capacity
- Too many different fonts are embedded in a single document
- The print job was sent at a resolution higher than the printer can handle (e.g. 1200 dpi on a low-memory model)
- The printer's RAM is insufficient for the complexity of the page being printed
- A corrupted print driver is misformatting the data sent to the printer
How to Fix It
-
Cancel all pending print jobs. Open the print queue on your computer, select every job listed, and delete them all.
On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, click your printer, then open the print queue.
-
Turn the printer off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This clears the printer's memory and resets its processing state.
A full power cycle is more effective than just pressing cancel on the printer panel.
-
Reduce the print resolution in your printer settings. Change it from 1200 dpi to 600 dpi and try printing again.
In Windows, go to Printer Properties > Paper/Quality tab to find the resolution setting.
-
Simplify the document if possible. Flatten images in the source application, reduce image resolution to 150–300 dpi, and limit the number of fonts used.
In Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat, you can also try 'Print as Image' under advanced print options — this bypasses complex font rendering.
-
Update the printer driver. Download the latest driver from support.hp.com and reinstall it, then try printing again.
An outdated driver can send data to the printer in an inefficient way that wastes printer memory.
When to Call a Professional
If error 39 occurs on simple, low-complexity documents, the printer's memory module may be faulty or failing. An HP-certified technician can run diagnostics and replace the RAM if needed. Memory upgrades for LaserJet printers typically cost $30 to $80 for the part alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will adding more RAM to my HP printer fix error 39?
Yes, in many cases it will. HP LaserJet printers often support RAM upgrades — going from 32 MB to 128 MB can dramatically reduce memory-related errors. Check your printer's specs on HP's website to see which memory modules are compatible.
Why does error 39 only happen with certain documents?
Not all documents are equal in complexity. A document with 10 high-resolution photos and 15 different fonts is many times harder for the printer to process than a simple text page. The error happens when the printer's memory is not large enough to hold the fully processed version of that specific page.
Can I prevent error 39 without upgrading memory?
Yes. The most effective workaround is to print documents as images rather than as formatted data. This trades some print quality for compatibility. You can also split complex documents into smaller sections and print them separately.