Knowledge

ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_NAME - 1801 (0x709)

The printer name is invalid.

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Technical Meaning

The ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_NAME error, with the numeric code 1801 and hexadecimal representation 0x709, indicates that a printer name supplied to an API function is not valid. This error typically occurs when attempting to access or configure a printer using an invalid or non-existent printer name.

Error Details

This error is returned by various Windows APIs related to printing, such as CreatePrinter, OpenPrinter, and others that require a valid printer name as input. The error signifies that the provided printer name does not conform to the expected format or does not exist in the system's list of available printers.

Usage Context

The context in which this error might occur includes:

  • Attempting to open a handle to a non-existent printer using OpenPrinter.
  • Specifying an invalid printer name when configuring print jobs through APIs like StartDocPrinter or StartPagePrinter.
  • Providing a malformed or incorrectly formatted string as the printer name parameter in relevant API calls.

Developer Interpretation

Developers should interpret this error code to indicate that the provided printer name is incorrect. This could be due to several reasons, such as typos, incorrect naming conventions, or attempting to access a printer that has been removed from the system. The application should handle this error by validating the printer name and ensuring it conforms to the expected format before making API calls.

Related Errors

  • ERROR_INVALID_NAME (123): This error might be returned if the provided string is not a valid object name, which could include an invalid printer name in some contexts.
  • ERROR_PRINTER_DRIVER_IN_USE (2560): If the driver for the specified printer is currently in use by another process or session, this error may occur instead of ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_NAME.

FAQ

Q: What does ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_NAME mean?

A: It indicates that a supplied printer name is invalid and not recognized by the system.

Q: How can I resolve this issue?

A: Ensure that the printer name provided in your API calls matches an existing printer on the system. Verify the spelling, format, and existence of the printer name before making any API requests.

Summary

The ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_NAME error is a generic return code indicating that a supplied printer name is not valid. Developers should validate input parameters to avoid this error and ensure compatibility with the system's available printers.