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How to fix ‘Printer not activated error code 30’?

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  • 6 min read

Printers are great inventions but they’re more often than not trouble-ridden unless you take good care of them. While the issues are mostly hardware related, there are a bunch of software related issues you can run into as well.

In this article, we’re talking about how to fix the ‘Printer not activated error code 30.’ Here are nine ways you can tackle this problem.


Check your printer drivers

The first thing you should do is to check your drivers if you’re having issues with any peripheral.

Step 1: Press Windows key + X to open the quick access menu and click on Device Manager.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 2: Double click Print Queues to show all installed printers.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 3: Right-click on the problematic printer and click on Update drivers.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 4: Click on Search automatically for drivers. Windows will automatically look for driver updates and install them.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Now reboot your PC and try again.

Also read: How to save screenshots as PDF in Windows 10?


Restart your PC

The good old try turning it off an on again method can work wonders here. If you’re facing any issues, with hardware peripherals especially, rebooting your PC can fix them magically.


Check default printer

Another reason you might be getting this error could be because your default printer and active printer are different. While this shouldn’t cause an error, it’s worth checking your default printer once.

Step 1: Press Windows key + I to open Windows settings and click on Devices.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 2: Head over to the Printers & scanners tab.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 3: Select the printer you want to use and make sure it’s set as the default printer.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Also read: Opentype vs Truetype fonts: Key differences; which one should you use?


Run the Windows troubleshooter

More often than not, the inbuilt troubleshooter in Windows 10 will resolve any issues you’re facing.

Step 1: Press Windows key + I to open Windows settings and click on Update & Security

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 2: Head over to the Troubleshoot tab.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 3: Click on Additional troubleshooters.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 4: Click on Printer and then Run the troubleshooter. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Restart your computer and try again.


Reinstall printer software

Your printer’s software can also at times, cause conflicts with printing. If you’re facing any such issues you should try removing your printer’s software and installing it again.

Step 1: Press Windows key + X to open the quick access menu and click on Apps and Features.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 2: Find your printer’s software in the list and uninstall the application.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Now reboot your PC and try installing the software again.


Select your printer manually

Sometimes the application you’re trying to print might try to use the Print to PDF feature automatically causing this error.

We suggest manually choosing your printer before you issue the print command so that you know for a fact you’re not sending prints to the wrong device or service.

Also read: Print Webpages without Ads: A How-to Guide


Try the Print to PDF feature

Contrary to the previous point, at times using the Print to PDF feature can actually get you around such errors. Note that you’ll have to save your document as a PDF before you actually can use the feature.

Step 1: Open the document you want to print and press Ctrl + P to bring up the print dialogue box.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 2: Under Printers, select Print to PDF.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Now try printing your document and you should be able to get the print done.


Check for Windows updates

Although it’s a bit of a long shot, there’s a chance that a pending Windows update might have already resolved the issue you’re facing. You should keep your OS up to date anyway.

Step 1: Press Windows key + I to get to Windows settings. Click on Update & Security.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 2: Install any updates if available, restart your PC and try using your printer again.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Change your application’s security permissions

There’s a chance that the application you’re trying to use to print your document doesn’t have the security permissions required to access the printer.

Step 1: Find the executable file of your application, right-click it and select Properties. 

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 2: Head over to the Security tab. Select your account and click the Edit button.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Step 3: Make sure that the Allow checkbox for Full control is checked. Click Apply followed by OK when you’re done.

How to fix 'printer not activated error code 30'?

Restart your PC and try printing again.

Also read: Inkjet printers vs Laser printers: Which one should you buy?

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah is a Computer Science graduate who writes/edits/shoots/codes all things cybersecurity, gaming, and tech hardware. When he's not, he streams himself racing virtual cars. He's been writing and reporting on tech and cybersecurity with websites like Candid.Technology and MakeUseOf since 2018. You can contact him here: yadullahabidi@pm.me.

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