- Try running Excel in safe mode to check if one of the add-ins is causing problems.
- If you are experiencing this issue with a specific spreadsheet, remove any conditional formatting from it.
- Running Microsoft’s Office repair tool is an effective way to fix such issues with Excel on Windows.
Fix 1: Open Microsoft Excel in Safe Mode and Disable Add-Ins
You can open Excel in Safe Mode to run the app without add-ins. This will help you verify if one of the installed plugins causes the issue. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type excel -safe in the box and press Enter .
Try using Excel in safe mode to see if it works fine. If it does, one of the third-party add-ins might be why Excel is not responding on Windows 11. You can disable all add-ins and re-enable them individually to isolate the culprit.
Step 1: Open Excel and click the File menu in the top left corner.
Step 2: Click Options in the bottom-left corner.
Step 3: In the Excel Options window, navigate to the Add-ins tab. Then, select COM Add-ins in the Manage drop-down menu and click the Go button.
Step 4: Uncheck all the Add-ins and click OK .
Restart Excel after this and enable your add-ins one at a time. Observe Excel’s performance after enabling each add-in to identify the one causing the issue.
Fix 2: Clear Conditional Formatting
Excel might encounter problems opening specific spreadsheet files with peculiar formatting. If the issue only occurs when you try to access a particular spreadsheet, try temporarily disabling conditional formatting for that sheet.
Step 1: Open the problematic Excel file and switch to the Home tab.
Step 2: Click the Conditional Formatting option, go to Clear Rules , and select Clear Rules From Entire Sheet from the sub-menu. Repeat this step to clear conditional formatting for all the sheets in your file.
Step 3: Press F12 to open the Save As dialog and save your Excel file with a new name.
Fix 3: Change the Default Printer
Whenever you open a spreadsheet in Excel, the app communicates with your PC’s default printer to determine supported margins. Excel may fail to connect to the default printer if it is not working correctly . In such cases, selecting another printer as the default printer should fix the issue.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings app and go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners .
Step 2: Under Printer preferences, toggle off the switch next to Allow Windows to manage my default printer .
Step 3: Select a working printer from the list and click the Set as default button.
Fix 4: Repair Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office offers a handy repair tool that you can use when Office apps such as Word or Excel aren’t working correctly . Here’s how to run it.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Installed apps from the list.
Step 2: Scroll down to locate the Microsoft Office product on the list. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Modify .
Step 3: Select Online Repair and hit Repair .
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- Set the connected printer as default from Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Set as default, and retry printing your file.
- Rollback the recently installed Windows Update from Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
Basic Fixes
- Reconnect printer : If you’re using a wired printer, its loose USB connection to your PC may result in ‘Printer not activated (Error Code 30)’. Replug the printer and replace its cable if it is worn out.
- Update the USB drivers : Obsolete USB drivers can create printer connectivity issues. Head to the Device Manager app, expand ‘Universal Serial Bus controllers’, right-click the buggy USB port, and select Update driver.
- Use the HP Smart app to connect the printer : If your Windows 11 PC doesn’t detect your HP printer , install the HP Smart app from the Microsoft Store, and use it to configure printer settings.
- Update Windows : Press the Windows + I shortcut to open Settings, select Windows Update from the left sidebar, and install available system updates.
Fix 1: Set the Connected Printer as Default
If your preferred printer isn’t set as default, you may run into the ‘Printer not activated, error code-30’ issue on Windows. Ensure your printer has adequate paper and ink and use the following steps to set it as a default printer:
Step 1: Open Windows Settings using the Windows + I shortcut, select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar, and click Printers & scanners .
Step 2: Select your preferred office or home printer.
Step 3: Ensure the Printer status isn’t Offline and click Set as default to assign it as a default printer for all printing operations.
Tip: If the Printer status is labeled ‘Offline’, check its power source and try reconnecting it to your PC.
Fix 2: Reinstall Printer Drivers
Corrupt printer drivers can cause unusual printing errors. To fix this, first remove the printer from Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, and re-plug the printer. Then, reinstall the printer drivers using the Device Manager app to restore normalcy.
Step 1: Press the Windows + X shortcut to open the Power User Menu, and select Device Manager .
Step 2: Expand Software devices , right-click your printer, and select Uninstall device . Restart your PC and let Windows 11 automatically install compatible printer drivers.
Fix 3: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Do you still face the ‘Printer not activated (Error Code 30)’ message while printing a PDF on Windows 11? Running the in-built printer troubleshooter should fix it in no time.
Step 1: Select Printers & scanners under Windows settings (check the above steps), and click your connected printer.
Step 2: Select Run the troubleshooter and wait a few seconds to let it resolve the issue.
Fix 4: Tweak Permission Settings on a Program
If you face the ‘Printer not activated, error code-30’ in a specific app, give it full control over your PC to print files and documents seamlessly.
Step 1: Right-click the app icon and select Show more options .
Step 2: Select Properties from the right-click context menu to open it.
Step 3: Open the Security tab and click Edit .
Step 4: Enable the Allow checkmark beside Full control and click Apply followed by OK to save changes.
Fix 5: Rollback the Recent Windows Update
Lastly, a buggy Windows Update can malfunction your connected printer showing the ‘Printer not activated (Error Code 30)’ message while initiating a new print. To fix it, rollback the recent Windows Update using these easy steps:
Step 1: Press the Windows key, search Uninstall updates , and click it to open the system settings.
Step 2: Locate the recently installed Windows Update using the ‘Installed on’ timestamp, and click Uninstall to remove it. Select Uninstall when prompted to confirm the action.
