Apple II ?CAN'T CONTINUE ERROR — Why CONT Failed

What Does This Error Mean?

?CAN'T CONTINUE ERROR in Applesoft means CONT couldn't resume the program.
It happens after editing a line, after a fresh boot with no program running, or after the program already ended normally.
You can RUN to start fresh — but anything in CONT memory is gone.
Inspect variables with PRINT before doing anything else if their values matter.

Affected Models

Apple II
Apple II Plus
Apple IIe
Apple IIc
Apple IIc Plus
Apple IIGS

Common Causes

Program ended normally (no STOP/END to resume)
Edited a program line after STOP
Memory was cleared by NEW or LOAD
Pressed Reset between STOP and CONT

How to Fix It

Check whether you really stopped the program.

If the program said 'OK' or fell through to the prompt, it ended normally.
CONT only works after CTRL-C or a STOP statement, and only if no edits were made.
Inspect variables first.

PRINT A, PRINT B$, etc.
You can see all current values without disturbing CONT — but only in immediate mode, no edits.
Once you LIST a line and retype it, CONT is gone.
Run again from the start.

RUN restarts at the lowest line number.
All variables clear.
If your code stops at the same place, examine that area.
Save before editing.

Before you change a line, SAVE "PROGRAM" (or to disk if you have a drive).
That way you can always reload and re-RUN.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if CONT works once then fails?

Each successful CONT only resumes once.
If you STOP again the program still has a CONT-able state, but only if you didn't edit between.
Two stops in a row with edits between will trigger CAN'T CONTINUE on the second.