Some Data Has Already Been Output, Can’t Send PDF File
Have you had the experience where you’ve been working on a project, and partway through, you encounter an error message? Usually, there is a simple solution to the error, but your mind goes blank, and you can’t remember how to fix it. This happened to me a few weeks ago when I was working on putting together a presentation for my newsletter subscribers. I was formatting a PDF file to include in the presentation and encountered the error message “some data has already been output, can’t send PDF file.”
After a few deep breaths, I did a Google search to help. I was surprised to see this was a common problem, but most of the solutions were technical and didn’t make much sense to me. A few of the solutions involved changing the code of the document, and I’m not a coder. Eventually, after a lot of trial and error, I found a solution that worked, and I want to share it with you in case you encounter the same error message.
Reasons Why the “Some Data Has Already Been Output, Can’t Send PDF File” Error Occurs
This error message usually means that there is already some data in the output buffer. The output buffer is a temporary storage location in the computer’s memory where data is stored before being sent to the printer or other output device. When you try to print a PDF file, the data from the file is sent to the output buffer. If there is already data in the output buffer, the new data from the PDF file cannot be added, and you will get the error message.
There are a few things that can cause data to be left in the output buffer. One possibility is that you have another program open that is using the printer. Another possibility is that you have previously tried to print a document but the print job was canceled or interrupted. In some cases, the data from the previous print job may still be in the output buffer.
How to Fix the “Some Data Has Already Been Output, Can’t Send PDF File” Error
There are a few things you can do to fix this error.
- Close any other programs that are using the printer. If you have another program open that is using the printer, this could be causing the error message. Close the other program and try printing the PDF file again.
- Cancel any pending print jobs. If you have previously tried to print a document but the print job was canceled or interrupted, the data from the previous print job may still be in the output buffer. Cancel any pending print jobs and try printing the PDF file again.
- Restart the print spooler service. The print spooler service is responsible for managing print jobs. If the print spooler service is not running properly, this could cause the error message. Restart the print spooler service and try printing the PDF file again.
If you have tried all of the above steps and you are still getting the error message, you may need to contact your IT support for assistance.
Tips for Avoiding the “Some Data Has Already Been Output, Can’t Send PDF File” Error
Here are a few tips for avoiding the “some data has already been output, can’t send PDF file” error:
- Make sure that you close any other programs that are using the printer before you try to print a PDF file.
- Do not cancel or interrupt print jobs. If you need to cancel a print job, wait until the print job has finished spooling before you cancel it.
- Restart the print spooler service regularly. This will help to prevent the print spooler service from becoming overloaded and causing errors.
FAQs About the “Some Data Has Already Been Output, Can’t Send PDF File” Error
Q: What causes the “some data has already been output, can’t send PDF file” error?
A: This error is usually caused by data being left in the output buffer. This can happen if you have another program open that is using the printer, if you have previously tried to print a document but the print job was canceled or interrupted, or if the print spooler service is not running properly.
Q: How can I fix the “some data has already been output, can’t send PDF file” error?
A: You can fix this error by closing any other programs that are using the printer, canceling any pending print jobs, and restarting the print spooler service.
Q: How can I avoid the “some data has already been output, can’t send PDF file” error?
A: You can avoid this error by making sure that you close any other programs that are using the printer before you try to print a PDF file, do not cancel or interrupt print jobs, and restart the print spooler service regularly.
Conclusion
If you are encountering the error message “some data has already been output, can’t send PDF file,” there are a few things you can do to fix the problem. Try the solutions outlined in this article, and if you are still having problems, contact your IT support for assistance. With a little troubleshooting, you should be able to get your PDF file printed without any problems.
Are you interested in learning more about PDF files? If so, check out our other blog posts on the topic.
