Sage 50 Printer Not Activated Error: Causes, & Fixes

Sage 50 is one of the most widely used accounting software solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Millions of users rely on it to manage invoices, bills, reports, and check forms every day. However, printing issues can interrupt work and reduce productivity, especially when errors appear while printing important invoices or saving documents as PDFs.

Many users encounter printer-related errors such as Error Code 30 and Error Code 20, commonly known as ‘Printer Not Activated’ errors. These issues usually occur due to incorrect printer configurations, outdated or corrupted printer drivers, conflicts with the Sage 50 PDF Converter, damaged customised forms, misaligned data fields in check form designs, or deleted command settings. Understanding the root cause of these printing problems is important for effective resolution.

This guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to troubleshooting and resolving Sage 50 printing errors so you can restore smooth and uninterrupted operations.

Understanding Sage 50 invoice printing errors

Before applying any solution, identify the exact type of invoice printing error in Sage 50. Common issues include invoices not printing, layout misalignment, or connection problems between Sage 50 and the printer. Finding the root cause helps resolve the issue faster.

Common Causes of Sage 50 Printer Not Activated Errors

Understanding Sage 50 Printer Not Activated errors and their causes helps resolve them quickly and prevent workflow interruptions. Common triggers include:

• Insufficient Permissions: The user account does not have proper access rights to required files or printer settings.
• Outdated Drivers: Printer or PDF converter drivers are incompatible with the current Windows or Sage 50 version.
• Incorrect Printer Configuration: Missing default printer or wrong printer settings block the printing process.
• Windows Registry Problems: Damaged or missing Windows registry entries related to the Sage PDF Converter cause printing failures.

To resolve these issues, verify the default printer settings, update all drivers, and ensure the Sage PDF Converter is correctly installed and configured. Adjusting user permissions or repairing registry entries may also be necessary.

A clear, step-by-step troubleshooting approach ensures stable and uninterrupted printing operations in Sage 50.

What is Sage 50 Printer Not Activated Error 30?

Sage Printer Not Activated Error Code 30 appears when a user attempts to email or print forms and reports in Sage 50. During this issue, the Sage 50 US Edition may close unexpectedly while processing the print or email request. The system then displays the message: “Printer not activated, error 30.”

This error can occur in Sage 50 US Edition and may affect different versions of Windows, including Windows 7, 8.1, and 10. When trying to send an invoice, another message may appear: “Your forms were not sent because Sage could not create the necessary PDF files.”

The issue typically blocks PDF creation, which stops invoice emailing and form printing within Sage 50.

What are the Reasons for the Occurrence of the Sage 50 Printer not Activated Error 30?

• User Account Control (UAC) is enabled
• Incompatible email program
• Damaged Windows user profile
• Pending Microsoft updates
• Damaged Sage 50 E-mail Writer
• Corrupted customized forms
• Attempting to use Sage 50 E-mail Writer as a physical printer
• Incorrect Sage 50 E-mail Writer settings
• Printer driver conflict

How To Fix Sage 50 Printer Not Activated Error Code 30

1. Check Your Default Printer

• Press the Windows Key + R together on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• Type Control Printers in the Run box and click OK. This will open the Devices and Printers window.
• When Sage 50 E-Mail Writer is set as the default printer, right-click the correct printer or PDF printer and set it as the default. Make sure the printer is properly installed.
• Verify whether the form prints successfully.

2. Check if running in compatibility mode

• Right-click the Sage 50 Accounting shortcut and select Properties.
• Open the Compatibility tab and uncheck the box Run this program in compatibility mode for when it is checked.
• Click OK.
• Verify that the form prints successfully now.

3. Remove PTR files from the Forms folder

• Browse to your Sage 50 data path. Open the folder named Forms.
• Delete all files with the extension PTR.
• Verify that the form prints successfully now.

What is Sage 50 Printer Error 20?

Sage 50 Printer Error 20 appears when you try to print a report, bill, or invoice and an error message displays on the screen stating that the printer is not activated. The error continues to appear whenever you select Print, Screen, Publish, or Email.

Causes of Sage 50 Printer Not Activated Error Code 20

You may face issues while printing documents in Sage 50 due to several reasons.

Sage Printer Not Activated Error Code 20 occurs when you select Print, Screen, Publish, or Email from the Report Layout and an error appears. The main reasons for this error are listed below:

• The print feature is not compatible with your version of Windows 10.
• The Microsoft update installation has failed.
• User Account Control (UAC) settings are turned on.
• Printer drivers are incompatible or corrupted.
• Email programs are incompatible.
• Customized forms are damaged.
• The Email Writer is damaged.
• The wrong Amyuni Document Converter is being used.

How to Fix Sage 50 Printer Not Activated Error Code 20?

You must follow these steps to completely resolve the issue:

Method 1: User Account Control is blocking Sage 50 E-mail Writer

• Right-click the Sage 50 icon and select Run as or Run as Administrator.
• You should now be able to print.

Method 2: Implementation of the wrong Amyuni Document Converter

• Close the Sage 50 software.
• Go to Control Panel, then open Devices and Printers.
• Click Sage 50 E-mail Writer and select Printer Properties.
• Open the Advanced tab, select the Amyuni Document Converter 450 driver, and click OK.
• Open Sage 50 and verify that you can now print to PDF.

Method 3: Open the program with administrator rights in Windows 8.1/10

• Start Windows 8.1/10, disable User Account Control, and restart the computer.
• Open the program with administrator rights. For Windows 7, run the program in compatibility mode.
• Check other web forums for similar customer experiences with the “printer not activated” issue. The error can also appear in other programs running on Windows 10 or Vista.
• Choose the option to open Sage 50 in XP/32 compatibility mode or start it with administrator rights.
• Go to Sage 50 Properties and select the Compatibility tab. Choose the option to launch it in 32-bit mode or XP mode.
• Open the Printer Properties screen and assign the Sage 50 PDF Driver to its local port.
• Review and confirm that the problem is fully resolved.

Method 4: Windows 10 Users Directly Give the Print Command

This method applies to Windows 10 users. Follow these steps to resolve the issue on your system:

• Give the print command directly from Windows.
• Open the file and save it in PDF format on your hard drive.
• While sending an email, save the file to your hard drive and manually attach it to the email.

Conclusion

Sage Printer Not Activated Errors 20 and 30 can interrupt printing, emailing invoices, and PDF creation in Sage 50. These issues are usually linked to printer settings, driver conflicts, UAC restrictions, or PDF converter problems. Following the correct troubleshooting steps helps restore smooth printing operations. AccountsPro is a one-stop solution to resolve Sage-related errors quickly. It also offers Cloud Hosting Sage 50 benefits and provides reliable 24×7 support.

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