Why Printer Not Activated Error Code 20?

The printer not activated error code 20 is one of the most reported problems for the Windows user. This problem mainly appears at the time while updating the Windows version in the system. If this error appears in your system, then as a result, the HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\ Software key disappears from the registry settings. This is a clear indication that the keys are not updated properly at the time of updating the Windows version in the system. This error may hamper the internal settings of your device.

If you are dealing with this kind of situation with your printer, then this article is for you. Here, in this article, we are going to discuss the steps that can help you to fix your problem with error code 20. Go through the entire part of our guide to learn the procedures that can help you to get rid of the situation.

Easy Steps on How to Fix Printer Not Activated Error Code 20:

Here, in this part of the article, we are going to discuss how to fix printer not activated error code 20? Go through the steps which are mentioned in the upcoming part of the article to know the details on it.

Solution 1: Update the Registry Key Manually

You can get rid of this issue by updating the registry key manually. There are two several ways that can help you to update the Registry key. In the upcoming part of the article, we are going to discuss the steps that can help you to update the registry key. Go through the steps which are mentioned below to know the details on it.

Grant Permissions through Registry Editor                        

You can fix the printer not activated error code 20 issue by permitting the Registry editor. But, you just need to be careful while performing the method, because a minor mistake can put you in big trouble. If you want to perform the method in your device, then you should follow the steps which we have described in the following part of the article.

  1. At first, you will need to launch the Registry Editor.
  2. Then, you will need to hold the Start button from your keyboard.
  3. Thereafter, write down regedit in the appearing dialog box of your screen.
  4. After that, right-click on your computer screen, then click on the Run as administrator option.
  5. Once you have done with the steps which we have mentioned in the earlier part of the article, now you will receive administrator access in the Registry Editor.
  6. Next, you will find out the HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG folder inside of the Software folder.
  7. Then, you will need to right-click on the Software folder and click on the Permission.
  8. Thereafter, a Window will pop up on your screen. Now, you have to verify that have you checked the Full Control or not for the purpose of Users user at the table.
  9. Then, click on the OK button this will help you to close Window. Furthermore, proceed on by closing the Registry Editor option from your system.
  10. After that, you will receive the Quickbook access at the key in which you will need to store the settings. Then, check if the problem is resolved or not.

Apply the Powershell Script for the  Permissions

To get rid of the problem with printer not activated error code 20, you can try the steps which we have described in the below part of the article. Go through it and resolve the problem on your own.

  1. At first, go to the Start button which is located at the bottom of the left corner of your computer screen. Click to open it and write down cmd on the appearing dialog box. Then, right-click on it.
  2. After that, you will need to select the Run As Administrator option.
  3. Thereafter, type PowerShell in the command prompt and hit the Enter button.
  4. At the next step, you will need to type the following commands:

PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -NoLogo -NonInteractive -Command “$key = [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::CurrentConfig.OpenSubKey(‘Software’,[Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKeyPermissionCheck]::ReadWriteSubTree,[System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::ChangePermissions); $acl =$key.GetAccessControl(); $rule = New-Object System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryAccessRule (‘Users’,’FullControl’,’ObjectInherit,ContainerInherit’,’None’,’Allow’); $acl.SetAccessRule($rule); $key.SetAccessControl($acl);”

Solution 2: Re-install the USB Composite Device from Device Manager

You can try to re-install the USB composite device from the Device Manager to resolve the problem with error code 20. In the upcoming part of the article, we are going to discuss the steps that can help you to resolve the problem, so go through it.

  1. At first, you will need to press the Windows key + R button both at the same time from your computer. This will help you to launch the Run dialog box on your computer screen.
  2. Then, write down devmgmt.msc in the appearing dialog box. Then, press the Enter button from your keyboard.
  3. Thereafter, you will need to open the Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
  4. After that, right-click on the USB Composite Device and click on the Uninstall option.
  5. Furthermore, you will need to proceed with by confirming the task. Click on the Yes option to confirm it. Otherwise, you can click on the OK button.
  6. Now, you will need to detach the printer USB driver from the system. Then, again reconnect it with your device.
  7. Once you have done with all the steps that we have mentioned in the previous part of the article, now you will need to follow the instructions that are instructed by the Found New Hardware wizard. This will help you to install the drivers in the system.
  8. At the next step, right-click on the printer icon from your device screen. Then, you need to click on the Print Test Page option to print the Windows self-test page.
  9. After that, restart your computer. This will help you to save all the changes that you have made.

Solution 3: Perform Printer Troubleshooter

You should also try to perform the printer troubleshooter to resolve the printer not activated error code 20 problem. Here, in this part of the article, we are going to discuss the steps that can help you to do so.

  1. At first, go to the Search box. Then, you will need to write down troubleshoot in the appearing dialog box. Then, click on it.
  2. After that, move on to the left-hand side of the Window-panel and click on the View all option
  3. Thereafter, you will need to click on the Printer option from the list of Troubleshoot computer menu.
  4. Now, you have to follow the on-screen instructions. Further, wait for a few minutes to run the troubleshooter.
  5. Once you have done with the steps from the above part of the article, now this is the time to restart your computer. Then, connect your printer and check if the problem is occurring or not.

Solution 4: Fix the Registry Settings

If you failed to do the methods from the above part of the article, then you can get rid of the trouble by fixing the registry settings of your computer. If the steps on how to fix the registry settings are unknown to you, then here we are going to present the steps that can help you to fix the Registry settings of your computer. Go through the steps which we have mentioned in the following part of the article and resolve the issue on your own.

  1. At first, you will need to press the Win key + R key both at the same time from your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. After that, write down regedit in the appearing dialog box and press the Enter button from your keyboard. This will help you to open the Registry Editor.
  3. Thereafter, move on to the following Registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Software

  1. Then, go to the Software folder and right-click on it. Then, click on the Permissions option.
  2. Once you have done with all the steps which we have mentioned in the above part of the article, now a permission Window will appear on your computer screen, to check the Administrator and users have Full Control or not. If you the options are unchecked, then you will need checkmark those options.
  3. Now, click on the OK button.
  4. While completing all the steps from the above part of the article, now this is the time to restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved or not.

Conclusion

Hope, this article has helped you to fix your problem with printer not activated error code 20. If you have any more questions regarding this topic, then comment us down to the comment section. Our experts will help you to get rid of this error as soon as possible.

Maria Colombo
Maria Colombo
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