error message 20 printer not activated

[jim07470]

Replaced hard drive after crash.  Dell inspiron 3846.  Originally had windows 10 from free update.  Reloaded with windows 8.1  Loaded hp printer software, but recieved error 20 when trying to print.  Printer not activated.

[Riddle_Decipher]

@jim07470

Thank you for joining HP Forums. 

I'll be glad to help you 🙂 

As I understand you are getting an error message - "Printer not activated-code 20",

No worries, as I'll be glad to help you, that said, I'll need a few more details to dissect your concern & provide an accurate solution: 

Did you make sure you've set the printer as the default?

Have you updated the drivers from the HP website?

While you respond to that, here're a few things you need to do:

Solution

Step one: Make sure the desired printer is set as the default printer

1. Click Start and then click Printers and Faxes to open the Printers folder.

2. If the desired printer icon is missing, please go to Step two.

3. Make sure the desired printer has a check mark next to it which indicates it is set as the default printer.

4. If the desired printer does not have a check mark next to it, right-click the printer icon and then click “Set as Default Printer”.

5. Right-click the printer icon, and then click Print Test Page to print a Windows self-test page.

6. If the Windows test page prints successfully, close all windows and try printing from the application you were using before.

7. If the Windows test-page does not print, go to Step two.

Step two: Re-install the USB Composite Device from Device Manager

1. Click Start and then Run.

2. Type devmgmt.msc in the Run window and then press Enter to open the Device Manager Window.

3. Click the plus sign (+) next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

4. Right click USB Composite Device, click Uninstall, and then click OK.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE STEPS AND INSTRUCTIONS.

Keep me posted for further assistance 😉