Simple step to Resolve Epson printer not activated error code 20

 Printer not activated error code 20 is very common in Windows 7, 8.1 or 10. Your printer displays this error when you are trying to save a PDF. Also, when the PDF converter fails to read the activation code, this error occurs. While some users report about this error while trying to print an Adobe document, after Microsoft update or while using the Quick Books software. Some other popular causes of the occurrence of this error are due to conflicts in the device manager, missing printer driver or if any wrong printer is set as the default printer.

Before you proceed towards solving your queries regarding how to fix printer not activated error code 20, check whether your printer is working or not. You can verify this by printing a self-test page and also check the USB connectivity from printer to computer. After verification, you can try out any of these applicable solutions to fix printer error code 20.

Solution 1: Set your printer as the default printer

• Go to Windows Search and type control in it. Then, click on the Control Panel
• After that, click on “Hardware and Sound” option. Thereafter, select “Devices and Printers.”
• Then, right-click on your printer and select the option “Set as a default printer.”
• At last, restart your PC to save the changes.

Solution 2: From Device Manager, reinstall the USB composite device

• At first, press Windows key + R simultaneously
• Then, type devmgmt.msc in it and hit Enter key
• After that, expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers
• Thereafter, right-click on the USB Composite Device and then select the option “Uninstall.”
• Then, it will ask for confirmation and you have to select either “Yes” or “OK” option
• Next, you have to disconnect the printer USB from the PC and then again reconnect it
• Then, install the drivers by following the instructions from the “Found New hardware wizard.”
• Further, you have to right-click on the printer icon
• Then, click on the Print Test Page for printing a Windows self-test page
• At last, you have to restart your PC to save the changes that you have made.

Solution 3: Run Printer Troubleshooter

• Go to the “Windows Search bar” and then, click on the option “Troubleshooting.”
• After that, go to the left window pane and select “View all” option
• Then, select “Printer” from the list of ‘troubleshoot computer problems’
• Thereafter, you just have to follow the on-screen instructions which pops up suddenly on the screen
• Then, try to run the Printer Troubleshooter and restart your PC

Finally, you can fix printer not activated error code 20 after performing these steps.

Solution 4: By using Registry Fix

• You need to open Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R
• After that, type “regedit” and hit on the Enter key
• Thereafter, navigate to the mentioned registry key: “HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Software”
• Then, you have to right-click on the Software folder
• From there, select Permissions
• In the Permissions window, make sure that you have checked the option “Administrator and users have Full control.”
• After that, click on “Apply” which is followed by OK
• At last, restart your PC to save the changes you have made.

Solution 5: Use Power shell to grant permission

• Go to the Windows Search option and type Power shell in it
• After that, do right-click on the “Power shell” option and choose the option “Run as Administrator.”
• Then, hit on Enter key and reboot your PC.

This will not only save the changes but will also fix the printer error code 20.

Solution 6: Reinstall QuickBooks

• Go to the Run box by pressing Windows key + R together
• Then, type “appwiz.cpl” and hit on the Enter key
• From the list, find QuickBooks and uninstall it
• Now, you need to run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts which are displaying to install QuickBooks
• At last, restart your PC to save the changes.

If you have tried all the above solutions and still not able to solve the issue, then post your comments in the section below.