Printer not activated, error code -30 when printing or saving PDFs
"Printer not activated, error code -30" comes from a program's built-in PDF printer, often in accounting software. Repair it and Windows' PDF features.
What this error means
This message doesn't come from Windows or from your physical printer. Some programs, notably accounting packages such as QuickBooks Desktop, install their own virtual PDF printer to save forms as PDFs, attach invoices to emails and print certain documents, and the program has to activate that component before it can use it. "Printer not activated" with code -30 means that step failed, so the program can't print or create the PDF. Damaged program components, missing Windows print features and permission problems are the usual reasons.
Common causes
- The program's virtual PDF printer is damaged or missing
- The Microsoft XPS Document Writer or Microsoft Print to PDF feature is turned off or damaged
- The program lacks permission to set up or use its PDF printer
- An out-of-date version of the program after a Windows update
- A problem with the Print Spooler
How to fix it
Start with the first fix. They’re ordered from safest and quickest to most involved.
Fixes for Windows
0 of 7 steps tried
-
Restart, then run the program as administrator
Close the program and restart the PC. Then right-click the program's shortcut, choose Run as administrator and try printing or saving as PDF again. If it works this way, permissions are involved; repair the program as described below rather than running it as administrator every time.
-
Update the program
Install the latest updates for the program using its own update option or the software maker's official website. PDF components are often fixed in updates, especially after a major Windows update changes something they depend on.
-
Repair the program
Open Control Panel > Programs and Features, select the program and choose Uninstall/Change, then pick Repair if the installer offers it. In Settings, the same option is under Apps > Installed apps > Modify. Repairing usually reinstalls the program's PDF printer. For QuickBooks Desktop, Intuit's official support website also describes its own repair tool for print and PDF problems; use only the copy from Intuit's site.
-
Turn the Windows PDF and XPS features off and on
Press Win + R, type
optionalfeaturesand press Enter to open Turn Windows features on or off. Clear Microsoft Print to PDF and Microsoft XPS Document Writer, click OK and restart. Then open the window again, tick both, click OK and restart once more. Some programs rely on these built-in printers when creating PDFs. -
Check the program’s PDF printer in Printers & scanners
Open Printers & scanners and look for a printer named after the program or a PDF converter. If it's missing or shows Driver is unavailable, repairing or reinstalling the program should re-create it. Don't set it as your default printer, and don't delete it unless the software maker's own instructions tell you to.
-
Restart the Print Spooler
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the command below, then reopen the program and try again. The program's PDF printer goes through the same print system as your real printer.
net stop spooler && net start spooler -
Reinstall the program as a last resort
Back up your company or program data first, and make sure you have your license details. Uninstall the program, restart, download a fresh copy from the software maker's official website and install it, then restore your data if needed. If the error continues, use the software maker's official support website for help with that product.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Still stuck? The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Do I need a new printer?
No. The message is about the program's virtual PDF printer, not your physical printer, which usually still prints from other programs without any trouble.
Can I print to Microsoft Print to PDF instead?
Often, yes: choose Microsoft Print to PDF in the program's print dialog as a workaround. Features such as emailing forms straight from the program usually rely on its own PDF component, though, so repair it for a full fix.