Printer not activated error code 20 is an error that can occur when attempting to print from a computer. The error typically occurs because the printer is not properly configured or installed on the computer. In some cases, the error can also occur because the printer driver is outdated or corrupt.
1. Check if your printer is properly connected to your computer
- Open "Printers and Faxes" in your computer's Control Panel
- In the Printers and Faxes window, make sure that your printer is listed under the "Printers" category
- If your printer is not listed under the "Printers" category, click on the "Add a Printer" icon, and then choose your printer from the list of available printers
- If your printer is still not listed under the "Printers" category, click on the "Manage Printers" icon, and then double-check that your printer is properly connected to your computer
- If your printer is properly connected to your computer, and the printer still fails to activate, then your printer may be defective, and you will need to replace it
2. Check if your printer is turned on and has sufficient paper and ink
- Open the printer's cover and check to see if the power cord is plugged in and the green light is on.
- If the power cord is plugged in and the green light is on, check to see if the toner cartridge is installed. If the toner cartridge is not installed, install it.
- Check to see if the paper is loaded in the paper tray.
- If the paper is not loaded in the paper tray, load it.
- If the paper is loaded in the paper tray, check to see if the ink is loaded in the ink cartridge.
- If the ink is not loaded in the ink cartridge, load it.
- If the printer is turned on and has sufficient paper and ink, try printing a test page.
3. Try restarting your computer and printer
- If your computer is on, press the power button to turn it off.
- Remove any media or cables from the printer.
- Reconnect the printer to the computer.
- If the printer is connected to a network, attempt to connect to it.
- If the printer is connected to the computer by USB, attempt to connect the printer to the computer by USB.
- If the printer is connected to the computer by network, attempt to connect the printer to the computer by network.
- If the printer is connected to the computer by USB and the computer is turned on, attempt to start the printer.
- If the printer is connected to the computer by USB and the computer is turned off, press the power button to turn the computer on and attempt to start the printer.
- If the printer is connected to the computer by network and the computer is turned on, attempt to connect to the printer.
- If the printer is connected to the computer by network and the computer is turned off, press the power button to turn the computer on and try to connect to the printer.
4. Update your printer drivers
- In the Device Manager, locate the printer that you are having trouble with and right-click on it.
- Select Update Driver from the menu that appears.
- In the Driver Update Wizard, click on the Search for Driver button.
- Click on the Display Update Options button and then on the Show All Networks button.
- In the Network Location box, type the IP address of the computer that you are using to access the internet.
- Click on the Next button.
- In the Update Driver Software dialog box, click on the Browse for Driver button.
- Select the appropriate driver from the list that appears and click on the Next button.
- In the Confirm Driver Installation dialog box, click on theInstall button.
- The Driver Installation Wizard will start and will guide you through the installation process.
- When the installation process is finished, click on the Finish button.
- Close the Driver Update Wizard.
- Restart your computer.
If the answers above didn't work then you should also try:
- Run the Printing Troubleshooter.
- Disable your printer's Firewall settings.
- Add your printer's IP address to your computer's firewall exceptions list.
- Re-install your printer.