How to Fix Printer Not Activated Error code -20 Windows 10 [Steps]

What is ‘Printer Not Activated Error code -20, -30’ in Windows 10?

If you are facing Printer Not Activated Error code -20 Windows 10, Printer Not Activated Error code -30 Windows 10 while trying to print a document, and looking for ways to fix, then you are in right-place for the solution. You are provided here with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.

‘Printer Not Activated Error code -20, – 30’:

Printer Not Activated Error code -20 is common printing job relating issues or printer issues in Windows 10 computer usually occurred when printer fails to print a document. This issue indicates your printer device is not activated that’s why you are unable to perform printing job in your Windows 10 computer. The error is appeared with some message saying ‘Printer not activated, error code – 20’. Sometimes, it appears with -30 error code or Printer Not Activated Error code -30 Windows 10.

There could be several reasons behind the issue including required permission not given for printing relating tasks in computer, your printer device is not set as default printer (if you have multiple printer attached in computer), USB Composite Device incompatibility issue, malware or viruses infections in computer, system files or registry issues, and other system issues. It is possible to resolve the issue with our instructions. Let’s go for the solution.

How to fix Printer Not Activated Error code -20 Windows 10/ Printer Not Activated Error code -30?

Method 1: Fix Printer Not Activated Error code -20, -30 with ‘PC Repair Tool’

‘PC Repair Tool’ is quick & easy ways to find and fix BSOD errors, EXE errors, DLL errors, problems with programs/applications, malware or viruses infections in computer, system files or registry issues, and other system issues with just few clicks.

Method 2: Set the default printer

One possible way to fix the issue is to set the default printer in control panel in Windows computer.

Step 1: Open ‘Control Panel’ app in Windows PC via Windows Search Box and go to ‘Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers’

Step 2: Right-click on your printer device, and select ‘Set as default printer’ option, and then restart your computer to see the changes, and check if it works for you toward resolving the issue.

Method 3: Reinstall USB Composite Device via Device Manager

Another way to fix the issue is to uninstall and reinstall USB Composite Device via Device Manager in your computer.

Step 1: Open ‘Device Manager’ app in Windows PC via Windows Search Box and expand ‘Universal Serial Bus Controllers’ category

Step 2: Right-click on ‘USB Composite Device’ and select ‘Uninstall’ to uninstall it.

Step 3: Now, disconnect t he printer USB from your PC and then reconnect it, and follow on-screen instructions wizard in ‘Found new hardware wizard’ to install the drivers

Step 4: Right-click printer icon and select ‘Print Test Page’ to print a Windows self-test page, and then restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 4: Run Printer troubleshooter

You can run Windows built-in printer troubleshooter to fix the issue.

Step 1: Open ‘Settings’ app in Windows PC via Windows Search Box and go to ‘Update and Security > Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters’

Step 2: Find and select ‘Printer’ troubleshooter, and click ‘Run the troubleshooter’ and follow on-screen instructions to finish troubleshooting. Once finished, check if the issue is resolved.

Method 5: Fix Printer Not Activated Error code -20 Windows 10 via Registry Editor

Step 1: Open ‘Registry Editor’ app in Windows PC via Windows Search Box and go to following path in left pane

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Software

Step 2: Right-click ‘Software’ folder and select ‘Permissions’

Step 3: In the opened ‘Permissions for Software’ window, ensure that ‘Administrator’ and users have ‘Full Control’ checked, if not checkmark them

Step 4: Click ‘Apply > Ok’ button to save the changes and once done, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 6: Grant permission using PowerShell

Step 1: Type ‘Powershell’ in Windows Search Box, right-click on ‘Windows Powershell’ and select ‘Run as Administrator’

Step 2: Type or copy & paste the following command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute.

PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -NoLogo -NonInteractive -Command “$key = [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::CurrentConfig.OpenSubKey(‘Software’,[Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKeyPermissionCheck]::ReadWriteSubTree,[System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::ChangePermissions); $acl =$key.GetAccessControl(); $rule = New-Object System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryAccessRule (‘Users’,’FullControl’,’ObjectInherit,ContainerInherit’,’None’,’Allow’); $acl.SetAccessRule($rule); $key.SetAccessControl($acl);”

Step 3: Once executed, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 7: Reinstall QuickBook [if applicable]

Another way to fix the issue is to uninstall and reinstall QuickBook software.

Step 1: Open ‘Control Panel’ app in Windows PC and go to ‘Uninstall a Program > Programs & Features’

Step 2: Find and right-click ‘QuickBook’ app, and select ‘Uninstall’ to uninstall it and after that, restart your computer

Step 3: After restart, download and reinstall QuickBook app in computer and once installed, check if the issue is resolved.

Conclusion

I hope this post helped you on How to fix Printer Not Activated Error code -20 Windows 10, Printer Not Activated Error code -30 Windows 10 with easy ways. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.