Not Ready Writing Device PRN Meaning & How to Use It

If you have ever seen “Not Ready Writing Device PRN” on a printer or computer screen, it usually means the system cannot communicate with the printer because the printer is busy, offline, or waiting for a previous job to finish. This article explains what PRN means in this context, why the message appears, and the practical steps to clear it and get back to printing.

What Does “PRN” Stand For?

PRN is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase pro re nata, meaning “as the situation arises” or “as needed.” In medical settings, PRN is used for medications taken only when necessary. In computing, PRN was historically used as a device name for printers (e.g., LPT1 or PRN in MS-DOS). When you see “Not Ready Writing Device PRN,” it is a legacy message from the operating system or a driver that is trying to send data to the default printer device (PRN) but the device is not ready to receive it.

Why Does This Message Appear?

The message usually appears when you try to print and the system cannot complete the data transfer. Common causes include:

• The printer is turned off or unplugged.
• The printer is offline (e.g., the “Go” or “Online” button is off).
• The printer is out of paper or has a paper jam.
• The USB cable is loose or damaged.
• The printer driver is stuck on a previous job (often called a “ghost” print job).
• The printer is set to the wrong port (e.g., COM1 instead of USB).

How to Fix “Not Ready Writing Device PRN”

Follow these steps in order, testing after each one:

1. Check the printer hardware: Make sure the printer is on, has paper, and is not showing an error light or message on its display.
2. Press the “Go” or “Online” button: Many printers have a button that toggles online/offline. If it is offline, press it to bring it back online.
3. Restart the print spooler: Open the Services app (press Win + R, type services.msc), find “Print Spooler,” right-click and choose Restart. This clears stuck jobs in the queue.
4. Clear the print queue: Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, open the queue, and cancel all documents. If they won’t cancel, restart the spooler again.
5. Check the port: In printer properties, confirm the port matches your connection (USB001 for USB, or the correct network IP). If it’s set to COM1 or LPT1, change it to the correct port.
6. Reinstall the driver: Uninstall the printer from Devices & Printers, then reinstall it using the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website (or use Windows built-in driver).
7. Try a different cable or port: Swap the USB cable and try a different USB port on the computer.

What Is the Print Spooler and Why Does It Matter?

The print spooler is a Windows service that manages all print jobs. When you send a document to the printer, the spooler holds it in memory and sends it to the printer in the background. If the spooler gets stuck (e.g., due to a corrupt file or a printer that stops responding), the system may display “Not Ready Writing Device PRN” because it cannot hand off the data. Restarting the spooler clears the stuck jobs and forces the system to re-send them.

Common Misconception: PRN as a File Extension

Some users confuse “PRN” with a file format. A .prn file is actually a printer-ready file that contains the exact data to be sent to a printer (often created by “Print to File”). However, the message “Not Ready Writing Device PRN” is not about a .prn file — it’s about the device name. The system is trying to write to the printer device, not to a file.

How to Avoid This Error in the Future

• Always turn on the printer before sending a print job.
• Keep the printer driver updated.
• Use a reliable USB cable and port.
• If using a network printer, ensure it has a static IP address so the port doesn’t change.
• Regularly clear the print queue if you print frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does “PRN” mean the printer is broken?

No, it just means the printer isn’t ready to receive data. Usually it’s a temporary issue like being offline or a stuck job. If the printer works after restarting, it wasn’t broken.

Can I ignore this message?

If you ignore it, the print job may stay in the queue and block other jobs. It’s best to resolve it promptly.

Why does this happen on a network printer?

Network printers can go offline if the IP address changes, the network drops, or the printer goes into sleep mode. Check the printer’s network status and reconnect if needed.

Is “PRN” the same as “LPT1”?

In MS-DOS, PRN was a reserved name for the first parallel port (usually LPT1). They are often used interchangeably, but PRN specifically refers to the default printer device.

What if the message appears after a Windows update?

Windows updates can reset driver settings. Reinstall the printer driver or check the port settings after an update.

Should I use “Print to File” instead?

If you need a portable document, use “Microsoft Print to PDF” instead of “Print to File,” which creates a .prn file that is less useful.

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