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FIX: Printer not activated, error code -30 on Windows 10/11

7 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Printernot activated, error code -30message can sometimes appear and prevent you from printing documents. This can be a big problem, and in today’s article we’ll show you how to fix this issue.

This error messagecan prevent you fromprinting, and speaking of thiserror, here are some similar issues that users reported:

How can I fix the Printer not activated, error code -30 message?

1. Make sure that your printer drivers are up to date

SometimesPrinternot activated, error code -30can appear if your printer drivers are out of date.

Outdated drivers will prevent you from printing documents, but you can fix this problem simply by updating your drivers.

There are several ways to do that, but the best method would be to visit yourprinter’s manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your model.

Although updating drivers is usually simple, some users might have issues downloading the appropriate driver for theirprintermanually.

If you don’t want to search for drivers on your own, you might want to try usingOutbyte Driver Updatersoftware.

This application is designed to automatically search and download the necessary drivers for you, so you might want to try it out.

It scans your system and lists all existing and possibly missing drivers. The tool also detects if there is already a new version for current records. If necessary, these can be updated directly via Outbyte Driver Updater.

To do this, load the corresponding file on your PC and copy the new version to your computer with one click. A wide range of hardware is supported, including drives, printers, and scanners.

⇒Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Select your printer manually

According to users,Printernot activated, error code -30appears when trying to use a quick print option to print documents.

Sometimes your applications might try to usePrint to PDFfeature automatically, and that can cause the error message to appear.

To fix this problem, it’s advised to always manually select theprinterthat you want to use whenprinting.

This is just a workaround, but it should help you out with this problem until you find a permanent solution.

3. Use Print to PDF feature

If this problem occurs when trying to use Print to PDF, the issue might be a third-party solution.

Previous versions of Windows didn’t have native Print to PDF support, and this is the main reason why users had to use all sorts of third-party solutions.

With Windows 10, there’s finally a built-in Print to PDF feature, so there’s no need to use third-party applications.

If you’re havingPrinternot activated, error code -30error, try using the built-in Print to PDF feature and check if that solves your problem.

4. Reinstall printer drivers and modify your registry

To fix thePrinternot activated, error code -30error on your PC, sometimes you might have to reinstall your printer drivers.

In addition to doing that, you might also have to make a couple of changes in your registry.

According to users, the lack of certain privileges in your registry can cause this issue to occur, but you can fix the problem by reinstalling the printer driver and modifying your registry.

5. Remove printer software

If you’re gettingPrinternot activated, error code -30message, the problem might be your printer software.

Sometimes this software can interfere with your system and cause this and othererrorsto appear.

However, you can fix the problem simply by removing or reinstalling your printer software. To do that, you can just use the Settings app and remove the printer software from the Apps section.

This isn’t the most effective solution usually, and sometimes it can leave certain files or registry entries in the background that can cause this issue to reappear.

To be certain that the printer software is completely removed, we recommend you useCCleanerto get rid of any leftover files.

Many use CCleaner to take care of cookies, cached files, and problems with their registry. It’s a great PC optimization tool that analyzes your whole system and lets you know what you can do to improve it.

Not only that, the tool also has a built-in uninstaller utility so you will not have to go through the hassle of reinstalling the app from Windows Settings. You can remove the app and its corresponding files from one central UI.

If uninstalling the printer software solves the problem, you might want to try using yourprinterwithout it. Alternatively, you can also download the latest printer software and check if it solves your problem.

6. Change the application’s security permissions

After doing that, you’ll have full control over the application and the problem with yourprintershould be resolved.

7. Install the latest updates

If any updates are available, they will be downloaded automatically in the background. Once the updates are installed, check if the problem is still there.

8. Run the printer troubleshooter

According to users,Printernot activated,errorcode -30can appear due to various bugs on your system, and if you’re having thiserror, you might be able to fix it simply by running the printer troubleshooter.

Windows has a number of troubleshooters available, and you can use these troubleshooters to fix common printer problems.

9. Make sure that your printer is set as default

Hopefully, all these solutions managed to help you with yourPrinternot activated, error code -30troubles.

In case you have subject-related questions or suggestions, we’ll be glad to be hearing from you. You can post them in the comments section below.

Take a look at ourWindows 10 sectionfor news, updates, and other helpful guides.

Be sure to bookmark ourFix Huband find great solutions to other similar issues.

FIX: Printer not activated, error code -30 on Windows 10/11#

How can I fix the Printer not activated, error code -30 message?#

1. Make sure that your printer drivers are up to date#

2. Select your printer manually#

3. Use Print to PDF feature#

4. Reinstall printer drivers and modify your registry#

5. Remove printer software#

6. Change the application’s security permissions#

7. Install the latest updates#

8. Run the printer troubleshooter#

9. Make sure that your printer is set as default#