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What “Not Ready Writing Device PRN” Means and How to Fix It

PRN means printer. This legacy DOS-style message means the printer could not accept output; check its power, connection, and ready or online status, then retry.
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“Not ready writing device PRN” is a legacy DOS-style printer error: PRN means the printer, and “not ready” means the device cannot accept or transmit data at that moment. The message signals a readiness problem, not a diagnosis of a particular failed part.

What does PRN mean?

In this error message, PRN is the printer device name. A U.S. Air Force communications guide states, “In any error notices PRN refers to the printer.” The message appeared in a Windows-generated error list within instructions for its SDT Communications Program; it is a historical, context-specific example, not a universal label for modern printer errors. Air Force guide, AFI33-107V4.STR (1 November 2000)

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What does “not ready” mean?

IBM’s DOS 2.10 manual defines the generic message as: “The named device is not ready to accept or transmit data.” In this case, the named device is the printer, which cannot handle the requested output at that time. A DOS textbook example likewise describes the message appearing when a printer is absent or not ready. IBM DOS 2.10 User Manual Guide (September 1983) · Craig A. Wood, Computing Fundamentals: PC-DOS & MS-DOS

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How to troubleshoot the printer-ready error

  1. Check power. Make sure the printer is switched on.
  2. Check the connection. Confirm it is connected to the computer or printing system.
  3. Check readiness. Look at the printer’s display or indicator lights and make sure it is online or ready. The Air Force guide specifically lists an unlit SEL indicator in its SDT context; that indicator is not a general requirement for other printers.
  4. Correct the printer-side issue, then retry. The historical instructions advise checking the device and trying again. In the Air Force guide’s specific procedure, the user corrects the printer problem and presses R to retry. Your printer or application may use different controls. IBM DOS 2.10 manual · Air Force guide

What the message does—and does not—tell you

It tells you that the printer was not ready for the requested operation. It does not establish whether the cause is power, a connection, an offline state, or another printer-specific issue, and it does not identify a part that needs replacement. Start with basic readiness checks; if the message persists after those checks, consult the printer and application’s own troubleshooting instructions.

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