"Printer not activated, error code - 20"

[handleygirl]

Although "test page" will always print, the printer will not print a page I have "told" it to print. I always get the error code 20 listed in "subject." 

[MKazi]

@handleygirl

Welcome to HP Support Forums. 🙂 I came across you post and would like to help. I understand that you have an HP Officejet Pro 8660 e-All-in-One Printer and it does not print. You see an error code 20 while trying to print. I appreciate the steps you have performed and have certainly done a good job.

I recommend you to perform the below steps to isolate the issue and arrive at a solution: 

• Disconnect the power cable from the printer while the printer is still ON.
• Disconnect any other cables if connected the printer.
• Press and hold the printer’s power button for 15 seconds.
• The printer should be directly connected to the wall outlet and not to a surge protector. Reconnect the power cable to print and the printer should power ON by itself. If the printer doesn’t power ON then please manually power it ON.

Once you perform the above steps, please try to print, If the issue persists then I recommend you to review the steps from this link. These solutions are explained in detail in this document: http://hp.care/2eMeF0O

Alternately, you could download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor software. The HP Print and Scan Doctor software will detect and fix any printer driver issues in the operating system. 

I'm always here to support. Let me know what happened. Good luck! 🙂

[handleygirl]

So far NO GOOD!  Following directions as nearly as possible but without being a pretzel at 77 years old, I can't physically plug my printer into the wall outlet. It is using the same setup as always which until recently worked quite well.

I had already done the Print and Scan Dr. and supposedly the needed drivers were installed.

BTW, when my neighborhood Mr. computer fixit comes to work on the problem, it always prints for him. AND usually printing test pages works for me. But I can't print anything else!

Hope you can help.

Thanks.

Jo Mason

[MKazi]

@handleygirl

You're welcome. 🙂 I understand your concern. Not to worry as I have a few recommendations, though.

Please try to make a copy from the printer. If the printer is able to make a copy then it means that the printer hardware is fine.

If the printer is able to make a copy then I suggest you to uninstall the printer drivers from root level and then reinstall them. To uninstall printer drivers please refer to below steps:

• In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.
• Select your HP printer.
• Select Uninstall.
• In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.
• In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”
• Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo.
• Type printui.exe /s and click OK.
• Click on Drivers tab.
• Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click Remove at the bottom.
• Select OK.
• Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.
• Close Devices and Printers.

Once you perform the above steps, please download and install the printer drivers from this link: http://hp.care/2gFt1Ox

Let me know how it goes. I will guide you further. Good luck! 🙂

[handleygirl]

Hi, I followed the direx to remove the printer drivers and was doing fine until I got to the instruction "Click on it (HP printer drivers) and click remove at the bottom.

I got the message "Unable to remove HP Ofice jet Pro 8600. x64, Type 3 in User Mode driver, the specified driver is currently in use."

It is/was not in use.

Now what?

Thanks for your continued help.

Jo Mason

[Dvortex · Accepted solution]

Hello @handleygirl,

Appreciate your efforts. I would like to jump in with a suggestion.

I would suggest you stop the print spooler and then try to remove the drivers. Follow the steps below:

• First, unplug the USB cable from the printer & PC.
• Restart both the printer and the computer.
• Press “Windows key” + “r” to get the “Run” window.
• Type "services.msc" to get Services – Go to “Print spooler” – Right-click and “Stop” the service.
• Now again open "Run" - Type “spool” and ok - Go to PRINTERS folder - delete everything in that folder.
• Go to services again - Start the print spooler.
• Again restart the PC.
• Go to control panel – Programs and features – Select all HP printer entries and uninstall them.
• Go to control panel – Devices and printers – Select each of the printer entries and then select remove printer / device.
• Now press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.
• Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any Officejet entry there as well.
• Again go to run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
• Now restart your computer.
• Now click on http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software12/COL53311/bi-128502-3/OJ8660_Basicx86_188.exe to download and install the printer drivers.
• Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the onscreen instructions

Let me know if that helps!

Thank you 🙂

Please click "Accepted Solution" on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution. To show appreciation for my help, please click the "Thumbs Up Icon" below!

[handleygirl]

It's been a few days since you last responded to my request for help. Wanted to let you know that I was doing OK until I reached "Click on it (the driver) and click remove at the bottom. Got the following message:

"Unable to remove HP origin PRO 8600 x64. Type 3 in User modes driver. The specified driver is not currently in use."

HOWEVER, what did appear but a beautifully printed page, probably left over in the print queue. I have printed a few things since without a problem.

I am leary but going on as though it is fixed for goog - silly me!

Thanks for your help and if things go screwy, I'll be back.

Jo Mason