so the computer im using with the node red starting issue has ubuntu as an operating system. However when i use my laptop, which is running on windows 10, node red starts up as it should with no issue. No idea why hope the context helps.

So i figured out how to edit the nodered.service file in the terminal. Unfortunately i still have the same issue with the error message ;

Node-RED service not ready yet ... please retry ...

not sure what to do now

I had this issue on two Revolution Pi Connect 4s recently and was able to resolve it on both with the same method thankfully. Like you, trying to enable Node-Red in the browser based GUI did not function, and the system reported "Service is not ready. Please wait" on any attempt to launch...