Sage 50 Printer Not Activated Error Code 20/30 – Troubleshooting Guide

The Printer Not Activated (code 20 or 30) error in Sage 50 typically means the software cannot initialize its PDF/E-mail writer or communicate with the selected printer. It often appears when printing invoices or emailing PDF reports. For example, Sage’s knowledgebase notes that error “-30” frequently occurs on Windows 10/11 systems when the wrong printer is selected. In practical terms, Sage 50 is unable to activate the print job, preventing your documents from generating.

If this issue is blocking critical tasks, contact Sage 50 support immediately at 1-877-818-8469 for assistance.

Common Causes of Printer Not Activated error in Sage 50

Several factors can trigger the Printer Not Activated error in Sage 50. Common causes include:

• Default printer selection: If Sage 50’s virtual E-mail Writer (PDF) printer is set as the Windows default – or if no real printer is set as default – Sage may be unable to activate printing. In short, the printer Sage needs isn’t the active default device.
• Outdated or incompatible drivers: Old or missing printer drivers (and Sage’s PDF/Amyuni drivers) often prevent printing. A corrupt or incompatible driver can block Sage 50’s ability to print or email documents.
• Windows permissions/UAC restrictions: Windows User Account Control or file-permission issues can block Sage from sending print jobs. If Sage 50 isn’t run with administrator rights, printing can fail.
• Missing or wrong Sage PDF converter: Sage 50 relies on an integrated PDF (Email) Converter. If that converter (Amyuni driver) is missing or the wrong version is installed, Sage will show this error when printing or emailing.
• Windows compatibility issues: Some Sage printing features may not be fully supported on newer Windows versions. In particular, older Sage 50 versions can have issues under certain Windows 10/11 updates.
• Firewall or antivirus interference: Overly strict security software can block Sage’s printing or email processes, causing the error.

Troubleshooting and Solutions of Printer Not Activated (code 20 or 30

To resolve the error, work through these steps in order. After each step, test printing or PDF/emailing from Sage 50:

1. Set a proper default printer and restart. In Windows, open Control Panel → Devices and Printers. Right-click your physical printer and choose Set as default printer (ensure the Sage 50 E-mail Writer is not the default). Then close Sage 50 and reboot the computer. Often a correct default printer setting alone will clear the error.
2. Update or reinstall printer drivers. Download and install the latest drivers for your printer model from the manufacturer’s website. In Device Manager, you can also uninstall the existing printer driver and reinstall it. (Sage’s support articles emphasize that outdated printer/Amyuni drivers are a common cause of the “not activated” error. After installing the updated driver, restart Sage and try printing again.
3. Run Sage 50 as Administrator. Right-click the Sage 50 icon and choose Run as administrator. Running with elevated privileges ensures Sage has permission to access printer and email components. (You may also temporarily lower Windows UAC in Control Panel to test if UAC is blocking printing.
4. Reinstall the Sage PDF (E-mail) Converter. In Devices and Printers, remove the Sage 50 E-mail Writer v3 device and any Amyuni Document Converter drivers (especially “Amyuni 550” or “450”). Then run the Sage 50 Repair (via Control Panel > Programs and Features) so that Sage reinstalls its PDF/email driver. This restores the correct Sage PDF converter. After repair, reboot and test printing/PDF again.
5. Repair or reinstall Sage 50. If the error persists, run the Repair option for Sage 50 (in Programs and Features) or fully uninstall and reinstall Sage 50. Reinstalling ensures that all Sage printing components (including the PDF converter and registry keys) are intact.
6. Check for software conflicts or workarounds. Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall and test printing. On Windows 10/11, you can also try using the built-in Microsoft Print to PDF option as a temporary workaround: open the invoice/report, print it to Microsoft Print to PDF (save to disk), then email the PDF manually.
7. Remove damaged custom form files (advanced). If you use customized forms, a corrupted form can cause printing errors. Back up your data and delete any .PTR files in the Sage Forms folder of your company data path, then restart Sage 50. (Sage’s support guides note that damaged PTR form files may need to be removed when troubleshooting printer errors.

Preventing Future Printer Errors

To avoid this issue in the future, take these preventive steps:

• Keep software updated: Regularly install Windows updates, Sage 50 updates/patches, and the latest printer drivers. Up-to-date software prevents many compatibility and communication issues.
• Maintain printer settings: Always double-check that the correct physical printer is set as default in Windows. If you ever need to use the Sage Email Writer, switch back to your normal printer afterward.
• Run Sage with proper permissions: Consistently launch Sage 50 as an administrator or ensure your user account has full rights to Sage folders and printer ports.
• Back up forms and data: Before modifying forms or updating Sage, back up your data. If you install new forms or printers, verify they work correctly.
• Monitor security software: Use antivirus/firewall settings that allow Sage processes. If you notice printing breaks after a security update, recheck the firewall rules for Sage 50 and printer services.

Keeping your printer drivers and Sage 50 software current, and following the above best practices, will greatly reduce the chance of encountering the “Printer Not Activated” error again.

Conclusion

The Sage 50 Printer Not Activated (Error Code 20/30) error can usually be resolved by correcting printer settings, updating drivers, and ensuring Sage’s PDF/E-mail components are properly installed. By working through the steps above, you should be able to restore normal printing and PDF functions in Sage 50. If you still cannot print after trying all troubleshooting steps, don’t hesitate to reach out for expert assistance – contact Sage 50 support at 1-877-818-8469 for personalized help.