How to fix the Runtime Code 4 An error was encountered while printing (or saving) your return

Symptoms of Code 4 - An error was encountered while printing (or saving) your return

Runtime errors happen without warning. The error message can come up the screen anytime TurboTax is run. In fact, the error message or some other dialogue box can come up again and again if not addressed early on.

There may be instances of files deletion or new files appearing. Though this symptom is largely due to virus infection, it can be attributed as a symptom for runtime error, as virus infection is one of the causes for runtime error. User may also experience a sudden drop in internet connection speed, yet again, this is not always the case.

(For illustrative purposes only)

Causes of An error was encountered while printing (or saving) your return - Code 4

During software design, programmers code anticipating the occurrence of errors. However, there are no perfect designs, as errors can be expected even with the best program design. Glitches can happen during runtime if a certain error is not experienced and addressed during design and testing.

Runtime errors are generally caused by incompatible programs running at the same time. It may also occur because of memory problem, a bad graphics driver or virus infection. Whatever the case may be, the problem must be resolved immediately to avoid further problems. Here are ways to remedy the error.

Repair Methods

Runtime errors may be annoying and persistent, but it is not totally hopeless, repairs are available. Here are ways to do it.

If a repair method works for you, please click the upvote button to the left of the answer, this will let other users know which repair method is currently working the best.

Please note: Neither ErrorVault.com nor it's writers claim responsibility for the results of the actions taken from employing any of the repair methods listed on this page - you complete these steps at your own risk.

Method 1 - Close Conflicting Programs

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When you get a runtime error, keep in mind that it is happening due to programs that are conflicting with each other. The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to stop these conflicting programs.

• Open Task Manager by clicking Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time. This will let you see the list of programs currently running.
• Go to the Processes tab and stop the programs one by one by highlighting each program and clicking the End Process buttom.
• You will need to observe if the error message will reoccur each time you stop a process.
• Once you get to identify which program is causing the error, you may go ahead with the next troubleshooting step, reinstalling the application.

Method 2 - Update / Reinstall Conflicting Programs

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Using Control Panel

• For Windows 7, click the Start Button, then click Control panel, then Uninstall a program
• For Windows 8, click the Start Button, then scroll down and click More Settings, then click Control panel > Uninstall a program.
• For Windows 10, just type Control Panel on the search box and click the result, then click Uninstall a program
• Once inside Programs and Features, click the problem program and click Update or Uninstall.
• If you chose to update, then you will just need to follow the prompt to complete the process, however if you chose to Uninstall, you will follow the prompt to uninstall and then re-download or use the application's installation disk to reinstall the program.

Using Other Methods

• For Windows 7, you may find the list of all installed programs when you click Start and scroll your mouse over the list that appear on the tab. You may see on that list utility for uninstalling the program. You may go ahead and uninstall using utilities available in this tab.
• For Windows 10, you may click Start, then Settings, then choose Apps.
• Scroll down to see the list of Apps and features installed in your computer.
• Click the Program which is causing the runtime error, then you may choose to uninstall or click Advanced options to reset the application.

Method 3 - Update your Virus protection program or download and install the latest Windows Update

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Virus infection causing runtime error on your computer must immediately be prevented, quarantined or deleted. Make sure you update your virus program and run a thorough scan of the computer or, run Windows update so you can get the latest virus definition and fix.

Method 4 - Re-install Runtime Libraries

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You might be getting the error because of an update, like the MS Visual C++ package which might not be installed properly or completely. What you can do then is to uninstall the current package and install a fresh copy.

• Uninstall the package by going to Programs and Features, find and highlight the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.
• Click Uninstall on top of the list, and when it is done, reboot your computer.
• Download the latest redistributable package from Microsoft then install it.

Method 5 - Run Disk Cleanup

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You might also be experiencing runtime error because of a very low free space on your computer.

• You should consider backing up your files and freeing up space on your hard drive
• You can also clear your cache and reboot your computer
• You can also run Disk Cleanup, open your explorer window and right click your main directory (this is usually C: )
• Click Properties and then click Disk Cleanup

Method 6 - Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

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If the error is related to a bad graphics driver, then you may do the following:

• Open your Device Manager, locate the graphics driver
• Right click the video card driver then click uninstall, then restart your computer

Method 7 - IE related Runtime Error

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If the error you are getting is related to the Internet Explorer, you may do the following:

1. Reset your browser.
• For Windows 7, you may click Start, go to Control Panel, then click Internet Options on the left side. Then you can click Advanced tab then click the Reset button.
• For Windows 8 and 10, you may click search and type Internet Options, then go to Advanced tab and click Reset.
2. Disable script debugging and error notifications.
• On the same Internet Options window, you may go to Advanced tab and look for Disable script debugging
• Put a check mark on the radio button
• At the same time, uncheck the "Display a Notification about every Script Error" item and then click Apply and OK, then reboot your computer.

If these quick fixes do not work, you can always backup files and run repair reinstall on your computer. However, you can do that later when the solutions listed here did not do the job.

Other languages:

Wie beheben Fehler 4 (Beim Drucken (oder Speichern) Ihrer Rücksendung ist ein Fehler aufgetreten) - Beim Drucken (oder Speichern) Ihrer Rücksendung ist ein Fehler aufgetreten. Beim Drucken Ihrer Rücksendung ist ein Fehler aufgetreten. Diese Situation hat sich nicht auf die Daten in Ihrer Steuererklärung ausgewirkt.
Come fissare Errore 4 (Si è verificato un errore durante la stampa (o il salvataggio) del reso) - Si è verificato un errore durante la stampa (o il salvataggio) del reso. Si è verificato un errore durante la stampa del reso. Questa situazione non ha influito sui dati della tua dichiarazione dei redditi.
Hoe maak je Fout 4 (Er is een fout opgetreden tijdens het afdrukken (of opslaan) van uw retourzending) - Er is een fout opgetreden tijdens het afdrukken (of opslaan) van uw retourzending. Er is een fout opgetreden tijdens het afdrukken van uw retourzending. Deze situatie heeft geen invloed op de gegevens op uw belastingaangifte.
Comment réparer Erreur 4 (Une erreur s'est produite lors de l'impression (ou de l'enregistrement) de votre déclaration) - Une erreur s'est produite lors de l'impression (ou de l'enregistrement) de votre déclaration. Une erreur s'est produite lors de l'impression de votre déclaration. Cette situation n'a pas affecté les données de votre déclaration de revenus.
어떻게 고치는 지 오류 4 (보고서를 인쇄(또는 저장)하는 동안 오류가 발생했습니다.) - 보고서를 인쇄(또는 저장)하는 동안 오류가 발생했습니다. 보고서를 인쇄하는 동안 오류가 발생했습니다. 이 상황은 세금 신고서의 데이터에 영향을 미치지 않았습니다.
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Hur man åtgärdar Fel 4 (Ett fel uppstod när du skrev ut (eller sparade) din retur) - Ett fel uppstod när din retur skulle skrivas ut (eller sparas). Ett fel uppstod när din retur skrevs ut. Denna situation har inte påverkat uppgifterna om din skattedeklaration.
Как исправить Ошибка 4 (Произошла ошибка при печати (или сохранении) вашего возврата) - Произошла ошибка при печати (или сохранении) вашего отчета. Произошла ошибка при печати вашего возврата. Эта ситуация не повлияла на данные в вашей налоговой декларации.
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Cómo arreglar Error 4 (Se encontró un error al imprimir (o guardar) su declaración) - Se encontró un error al imprimir (o guardar) su declaración. Se encontró un error al imprimir su declaración. Esta situación no ha afectado a los datos de su declaración de impuestos.

About The Author: Phil Hart has been a Microsoft Community Contributor since 2010. With a current point score over 100,000, they've contributed more than 3000 answers in the Microsoft Support forums and have created almost 200 new help articles in the Technet Wiki.

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