Unlock Speed and Efficiency: How to Clear Memory on Your Brother MFC Printer

Essential Information

The documents you send to print are temporarily stored in the printer’s memory.
When you scan documents, the images are stored in the printer’s memory before being saved to your computer.
Open the print queue and select “Clear Print Queue” or “Purge Print Queue.

Are you experiencing frustrating print delays, error messages, or even a complete shutdown of your Brother MFC printer? These issues could be signs of a memory overload. Knowing how to clear memory on your Brother MFC printer is essential for keeping your printer running smoothly. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to clear your printer’s memory and get you back to printing effortlessly.

Understanding Printer Memory and Why It Matters

Your Brother MFC printer, like any other computer, has a limited amount of memory. This memory stores various data, including:

Print jobs: The documents you send to print are temporarily stored in the printer’s memory.
Scanned images: When you scan documents, the images are stored in the printer’s memory before being saved to your computer.
Printer settings: Your preferred print settings, like paper size, orientation, and quality, are saved in the printer’s memory.
Font data: The printer uses memory to store fonts for printing text.

When the printer’s memory becomes full, it can lead to:

Slow printing: The printer may take longer to process print jobs.
Print errors: You might encounter error messages like “Memory Full” or “Out of Memory.”
Printer shutdown: In extreme cases, the printer might shut down completely.

Methods to Clear Memory on Your Brother MFC Printer

There are several ways to clear the memory on your Brother MFC printer:

1. Canceling Print Jobs

The simplest way to free up memory is by canceling any pending print jobs. This is typically done through the printer’s control panel or your computer’s print queue:

On the printer: Look for a “Cancel” button or icon on your printer’s control panel. Press it to cancel the current print job.
On your computer: Open your computer’s print queue (usually found in the “Printers” or “Devices” settings). Select the print job you want to cancel and click “Cancel.”

2. Clearing the Print Queue

If you have multiple print jobs queued, clearing the entire queue can help free up significant memory:

On your computer: Open the print queue and select “Clear Print Queue” or “Purge Print Queue.” This will delete all pending print jobs.

3. Resetting the Printer

A printer reset can often clear memory and resolve various issues. This is typically done by turning the printer off and on again:

Turn off the printer: Press the power button to turn off the printer completely.
Unplug the printer: Disconnect the power cord from the printer.
Wait for a few minutes: Let the printer sit unplugged for at least 30 seconds.
Plug the printer back in: Reconnect the power cord and turn the printer back on.

Some Brother MFC printers have a dedicated “Memory Clear” or “Reset Memory” option in their menu:

Access the printer’s menu: Press the “Menu” or “Settings” button on your printer’s control panel.
Navigate to the memory settings: Use the navigation buttons to find the “Memory” or “Settings” section.
Select “Clear Memory” or “Reset Memory”: Choose the option to clear or reset the printer’s memory. The exact wording may vary depending on your printer model.

5. Factory Reset

If other methods don’t work, a factory reset can completely clear the printer’s memory and restore it to its default settings. However, this will also erase any custom settings you’ve made, so make sure to back up any important information.

Consult your printer’s manual: Refer to your Brother MFC printer’s user manual for specific instructions on how to perform a factory reset.

Preventing Memory Overload in the Future

Here are some tips to prevent memory overload and keep your Brother MFC printer running smoothly:

Monitor your print queue: Keep an eye on the print queue and cancel any unnecessary print jobs.
Use high-quality paper: Using high-quality paper can help prevent paper jams, which can also cause memory issues.
Avoid printing large files: If you need to print large files, consider saving them to a USB drive and printing them directly from the drive.
Update your printer drivers: Outdated drivers can cause various issues, including memory problems. Make sure your printer drivers are up to date.
Don’t overload the printer: Avoid sending too many print jobs to the printer at once, especially if they are large files.
Regularly clean the printer: Dust and debris can accumulate inside the printer and cause errors. Clean your printer regularly to prevent these issues.

Beyond Memory: Troubleshooting Other Printer Issues

While memory overload is a common problem, other issues can affect your Brother MFC printer‘s performance. Here are a few things to check:

Paper jams: Check for any paper jams and clear them carefully.
Cartridge problems: Ensure your ink or toner cartridges are properly installed and have enough ink.
Connectivity issues: Make sure your printer is properly connected to your computer or network.
Driver problems: Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause various issues. Update or reinstall your printer drivers.
Hardware failures: In rare cases, your printer may have a hardware failure. Contact Brother support for assistance.

Time to Print Effortlessly!

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively clear memory on your Brother MFC printer and prevent future issues. Remember, a clean and well-maintained printer is a happy printer! Now you can focus on what matters most: printing your documents with ease and efficiency.

Quick Answers to Your FAQs

Q: My Brother MFC printer keeps showing a “Memory Full” error message. What can I do?
A: The “Memory Full” error indicates that your printer’s memory is overloaded. Try the methods mentioned above, starting with canceling print jobs and clearing the print queue. If the problem persists, try a printer reset or factory reset.
Q: How often should I clear the memory on my Brother MFC printer?
A: There’s no set schedule for clearing memory. However, it’s a good practice to clear the memory regularly, especially if you print frequently or use large files.
Q: My printer’s control panel doesn‘t have a “Memory Clear” option. What should I do?
A: If your printer doesn’t have a dedicated “Memory Clear” option, you can try the other methods, such as canceling print jobs, clearing the print queue, or resetting the printer. Refer to your printer’s manual for specific instructions.
Q: Can I use a USB drive to print large files and free up memory?
A: Yes, printing directly from a USB drive can help free up your printer’s memory, especially for large files. Many Brother MFC printers have a USB port for this purpose.
Q: My printer is still having problems after clearing the memory. What should I do?
A: If you’ve tried all the methods and your printer is still experiencing issues, it’s best to contact Brother support for further assistance. They can help diagnose the problem and recommend a solution.