What does Windows error code 1803 (ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_COMMAND) mean?

 
Previous Next
ERROR_PRINTER_ALREADY_EXISTS ERROR_INVALID_DATATYPE

ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_COMMAND

Printer control is not a free-form command channel. For example, SetPrinter defines specific command values for pausing, resuming, purging jobs, and setting supported status data. The function also constrains the Level and pPrinter arguments when a command is supplied.

A wrapper that passes application-specific enums directly to Winspool, combines a command with the wrong information level, or reuses a command intended for job control can produce a command-level failure before any device communication occurs.

Capture the API contract

  • Log the exact Winspool function, numeric Command value, Level, and object handle type.
  • Do not mix SetPrinter PRINTER_CONTROL_* values with SetJob JOB_CONTROL_* values.
  • Validate argument combinations before the call; when SetPrinter Command is nonzero, its Level requirements matter.
  • If a compatibility layer translates remote printer controls, compare the translated operation with the MS-RPRN or server implementation rather than retrying a different arbitrary command.

Microsoft SetPrinter commands · SetJob job controls · MS-RPRN remote print operations


Looking for a different code? Search another status or error code.