The blog of Windows Wally, a Windows Support Technician helping common people solve frustrating computer problems.



How To Fix The Device_Queue_Not_Busy Error

Reader Question:
“Hi Wally, I keep getting this error “ Device_Queue_Not_Busy “. Please help me, I need to print some files which are in my computer.“- David S., United Kingdom

Before addressing any computer issue, I always recommend scanning and repairing any underlying problems affecting your PC health and performance:

  • Step 1 : Download PC Repair & Optimizer Tool (WinThruster for Win 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000 – Microsoft Gold Certified).
  • Step 2 : Click “Start Scan” to find Windows registry issues that could be causing PC problems.
  • Step 3 : Click “Repair All” to fix all issues.

Setting up weekly (or daily) automatic scans will help prevent system problems and keep your PC running fast and trouble-free.

Wally’s Answer: The Device_Queue_Not_Busy error is pretty rare. This error can occur when an incompatible program is launched. It may also appear when new hardware is installed. The computer restarts to prevent damage to software and hardware components. Here we will help you solve this problem.

Problem

The Device_Queue_Not_Busy error appears and the computer restarts.

Device_Queue_Not_Busy - Cover - BSoD error -- Windows Wally

Cause

The hardware being used with the computer is not compatible. This can happen because:

  • A .dll file is missing.
  • The hardware (in this case the printer) is incompatible with the computer.
  • The driver is incompatible with Windows.
  • Memory was incorrectly allocated in Windows.

Solution

Here are some ways to solve this problem:

After Using New Hardware For The First Time

You may have connected some new hardware to your computer for the first time before seeing the Device_Queue_Not_Busy error. Try removing the hardware from your computer and restarting the computer. Check its documentation to see its minimum requirements. Make sure that your computer’s hardware and the version of Windows you are using are both within the requirements of the device you are trying to use.

If The Computer Keeps Restarting

When the computer restarts, you should be able to see a screen where you see some options. “Start Windows normally” is usually highlighted in the start. Select Last Known Good Configuration and hopefully, this fixes your problem. If you are using a computer running Windows 7 or lower, then restart the computer. Keep pressing the F8 key and these options should appear.

If It Was A Software Problem

The problem might have been caused by the last software you installed. This may be the case if the software has to do with the new hardware you started using recently. Uninstall the software and see if that fixes the problem.

Use System Restore

System Restore is used to return Windows to a previous state. Click here to learn how to use system restore.

If A DLL File Is Missing

You may be getting dll file missing errors as well as Device_Queue_Not_Busy errors. If so, try optimizing the registry by using WinThruster. It also fixes many PC errors in your computer and deletes temporary files as well, making the computer run much smoother.

Is Your PC Healthy?

I always recommend to my readers to regularly use a trusted registry cleaner and optimizer such as WinThruster or CCleaner. Many problems that you encounter can be attributed to a corrupt and bloated registry.

Happy Computing! :)

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About the Author

Windows Wally is a helpful guy. It’s just in his nature. It’s why he started a blog in the first place. He heard over and over how hard it was to find simple, plain-English solutions to Windows troubleshooting problems on the Internet. Enter: Windows Wally. Ask away, and he will answer.