Dealing with the Sage 50 Printer Not Activated Error 20 message can quickly derail your accounting process. This error indicates Sage cannot access your default printer to generate reports and documents needed for business operations. In this guide, we’ll break down the potential causes of the printer error along with the various solutions to get printing functioning again in Sage 50.

What Triggers the Printer Not Activated Error 20?

The error 20 specifically relates to problems with Sage connecting to or interacting with your designated Windows printer. Some common triggers include:

Network printing configurations causing conflicts
Missing default printer settings in Sage
Corrupt print jobs stuck in the Windows queue
Incorrect or outdated printer drivers installed
Issues with installed printing components like PDF creators
Antivirus tools blocking connections to printer processes
Windows system file corruption interrupting connections
Bad entries in the registry related to printers

Tracking down the exact printing issue helps resolve the error 20 efficiently.

Troubleshooting Solutions for Sage Printer Error 20

Fixing finicky printing problems in Sage requires checking various points of failure between Sage, Windows, printers, and drivers. Here are the top troubleshooting areas:

Reset Default Printer in Sage

Sometimes Sage loses track of default printer connections set previously. Re-establishing these links resolves basic issues.

In Sage 50, check File > Printer Setup
Ensure your printer is selected under Print Destination
Select your printer as the default on any future print jobs

Check Printer Connections and Install Drivers

Issues with ports, cables, power, or missing printer drivers can all cause breakdowns.

Confirm your physical printer connections and power
In Windows Devices, check for warning signs of any printers
Reinstall latest printer drivers if needed

Adjust Windows Printing Options

Simple fixes like spooling settings and clearing stalled jobs often helps.

Open advanced printer properties and adjust print spooling options
Restart the Print Spooler service in Services utility
Delete any stuck printer jobs in the Windows queue

Run Sage Diagnostic Utilities

Specialized tools can test Sage’s ability to properly generate print jobs.

In Sage 50, select Help > Run Diagnostics > Printing
Check test pages print and log files for clues

Tweak Antivirus, Firewall and Security Configs

Being too locked down by security tools can easily disrupt printing.

Add exceptions for sage.exe and your printer software
Temporarily disable security programs when testing Sage

Change Registry Printing Settings

Deleting any corrupted printer-related keys lets Sage rebuild fresh connections.

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERPrinters and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetControlPrint
Export then delete any odd printing registry keys and restart

Uninstall/Reinstall Sage 50

For persistent printer error 20 situations, fully reinstalling Sage often overcomes conflicts.

Preventing Future Sage Printing Errors

While printer issues can seem random, staying on top of system and hardware maintenance prevents problems:

Keep all Windows updates and printer drivers current
Use a UPS to avoid power fluctuations to printers
Maintain unused printer connections in case of emergencies
Schedule periodic Sage diagnostic testing

Proper optimization safeguards against print interruptions.

Getting Additional Support from Sage

In tricky printing scenarios, Sage customer support provides extra help tracking down Windows conflicts. They can dig into logs and walk through configurations to determine why Sage struggles to activate printers for printing needs.

Also Read: Sage 50 Pervasive Invalid Date Error

Conclusion

The Sage 50 Printer Not Activated Error 20 mainly deals with connection issues between Sage, Windows, printers and drivers. Fixing cables, reinstalling printers, adjusting spooling options, running Sage diagnostics, adding security exclusions, editing the registry and reinstalling Sage can typically resolve the issue . Staying on top of printer maintenance and optimizations prevents future headaches. And Sage support assists with advanced troubleshooting when needed.