Error Message: "Error Writing to <printer port>" When Printing

ID: Q228542

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to send a print job to a Windows NT-based print server, the following error message may be displayed:

Error writing to <printer port> for document printer <print job>, the port is unknown.

The error message is not displayed if you log on to the computer using the Administrator account or with another account that has administrator privileges.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the permissions for the %SystemRoot%\System32\Spool folder does not contain the "Everyone" group.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem:

Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Windows NT Explorer.

Right-click the %SystemRoot%\System32\Spool folder, and then click Properties.

Click Security, and then click Permissions.

Click Add, click the domain the print server belongs to in the List Names From box, double-click Everyone in the Names box, and then click OK.

Click Everyone in the Name box, click Change in the Type of Access box, click OK, and then click OK again.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprint ntdomain
Version : WINDOWS:2000; winnt:4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4
Platform : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbprb