2021 1099 NEC forms don't work with smaller window envelopes

Thank you for posting here on the Community page, 1850. 

I'm here to make sure you'll be able to print 1099 NEC successfully. 

Let's open the Printer Setup page and adjust the alignment by following these steps:

1. Go to the File > Printer Setup.
2. In the Printer setup window, select 1099s/1096 from the Form Name drop-down.
3. Click the Align button located on the right menu.
4. In the Fine Alignment pop-up, adjust the Vertical and Horizontal alignment.
5. You can click OK or Print Sample. 

Once done, try to print your 1099-NEC. You can open this article for the steps: Print your 1099 forms.

I've added this article to learn more on how to adjust the print alignment with QuickBooks Desktop: Fix print alignment of continuous-feed printers.

Keep me posted on how it goes after the adjustment.  I'd like to make sure this is resolved for you. I'm always here to help. Have a great day.

Hi and thank you for your reply. I have used the align printer before and didn't have a problem. But now, each time I get to the page "Fine Alignment" and click print sample, I get a Quickbooks unrecoverable error message, asking what I was trying to do. Then, if I answer or not, it closes Quickbooks. This has happened 3 times over a few days. Please refresh my memory: even if the alignment was working, doesn't it move all the print, including the return address? Or can the recipient name and address be moved separately from the return address.

Hi there, @1850.

Can you share with me the exact error message you're getting when printing the form? That way, I can provide you with the correct steps to address the issue. 

To fix common printing issues in QuickBooks Desktop, follow these steps. 

Check if your printer can print outside of QuickBooks. To test, use Notepad.

1. Select Start and browse to Notepad.
2. Enter some text and choose File, then Print.
3. Select the correct printer and select Print.

If that print test didn't work, perform these steps. 

1. Turn off the printer, restart your computer, and then turn the printer back on.
2. Make sure the printer paper is loaded correctly.
3. Select the Windows Start button, browse to the Control Panel, and double-click Printers and Faxes.
4. If the printer shows Offline, right-click the printer and select Use Printer Online.
5. Double-click the printer and if there are print jobs displayed in the queue, choose Printer, then Cancel All Documents.
6. Close the window.
7. Right-click the printer, choose Properties, and select Print Test Page.

If you could print in Notepad, use the Print & PDF Repair Tool from the QuickBooks Tool Hub. This fixes most of the common printing issues.

Please take note that before you start troubleshooting, ensure QuickBooks is updated to the latest release.

If the issue persists, perform a Reinstall QuickBooks for Windows using a clean install.

Let me know how else I can help you with QuickBooks by adding a comment below. I'm more than happy to lend a helping hand. Keep safe!

The exact error message is this: Quickbooks unrecoverable error. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please help the Quickbooks team eliminate this issue by providing us the the following information. I was trying to do: (steps you took.) We would like to be able to contact you for more details. My email address is: (optional.) I answered the question as to what I was trying to do, 2 of the 3 times that this happened.I can print anything else, including checks and reports in Quickbooks. It is only the 1099 fine alignment that causes this.

This is really frustrating that now, 2 weeks before the 1099's are due to the recipient, Quickbooks has this problem. Since I can print anything else, I don't believe it is a printer problem, and it is ridiculous that users have to spend so much time trying to fix it.

Let's make sure to fix the error so you'll be able to print the 1099 NEC forms with envelopes, 1850.

The unrecoverable error may occur in numerous situations. Before performing the solutions, make sure to update QuickBooks to the latest release and create a backup of your company file in case you encounter issues. Once done, identify how many users are affected by using a different login credential to open the same company file. If the error only happens in one specific user, that user credential might be damaged. If so, recreate the damage for a regular user.

1. From the Company menu, select Set Up Users and Passwords > Set Up Users.
   Enterprise users: Go to the Company menu, then select Users > Set Up Users and Roles.
2. Select Add User..., then type the user name and password. Select Next.
   Note: Do not use the damaged user name.
3. Customize the user as necessary, then select Finish.
4. Go to the File menu, then select Close Company/Logoff.
5. Log in to the company file using the new log-in credential.

If the Admin user is damaged, you can run the QuickBooks File Doctor from the QuickBooks Tool Hub to fix common errors. Please know QuickBooks needs to be closed to use the tool hub. However, if it doesn't work, suppress the Desktop while starting QuickBooks. Here's how: 

1. Press and hold the Ctrl key.
2. Double-click your QuickBooks program icon.
3. Hold the Ctrl key until the No Company Open window shows.

On the other hand, you can also suppress while opening the Company file. I've outlined the steps below:

1. Select the desired company file from the No Company Open window.
2. Press and hold the Alt key, then select Open.
3. If you are prompted for your log-in information, release the Alt key, then enter your user name and password.
   Important: If you are not prompted for your user name and password, do not release the Alt key.
4. Press and hold the Alt key, then select OK. Do not release the Alt key until your file is completely open.
   Note: QuickBooks will display a blank screen. If you can highlight a QuickBooks menu by just hovering your pointer to it, your company file is completely open.

For more information, you can proceed to other solutions in this article if the steps provided above don't fix the issue: Unrecoverable Error: General Troubleshooting Steps. Additionally, you may encounter printing issues in QuickBooks Desktop, I've attached this article for your guide: Troubleshoot PDF and Print Problems With QuickBooks Desktop.

Let me know if you have any questions about 1099 NEC. I'm always right here to further assist you. 

Did this help anyone? Solve the problem?

I'm having the same problem

Honestly, I didn't go through all that! Nothing else in QB is giving me a problem and it's not worth it for me to spend the time going through all the suggested steps. I printed separate windowless envelopes for the few recipients that I have, and this only took about 10 minutes! I don't expect to have a large number of 1099's in the future, and maybe a later update will take care of this. It's just irritating to pay for the inclusion of envelopes that I can't use.

Agree and agree!

I have experienced the same problems exactly.  Adjusting the print doesn't fix the problem.  The names and addresses must be single space in order to fit in the window envelopes.  This is a problem that must be fixed the the developers.  Unfortunately, I did not notice the problem until I had already printed over 50 1099s and they were ready to mail.  I am forced to prepare mailing labels to place over the windows.  Surely QuickBooks should have caught these issues before we did.  And, yes, I have spend no less than 3 hours with a number of unqualified agents attempting to get 2020 Accountants version to accept the lastest update. My last attempt with the agent was successful because she knew what she was doing.   Also, as a QuickBooks ProAdvisor I am presently working with 2019, 2020 & 2021 and all 3 versions are experiencing the same issue.

I understand that you've been through a lot already, ncarrolls5.

I've got another troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve program-related issues in the system. You can run the QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool. I'll show you how:

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. We recommend you download the most recent version (1.4.0.0) of the QuickBooks Tool Hub. Save the file somewhere you can easily find it (like your Downloads folder or your Windows desktop).
3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
4. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
5. When the install finishes, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the tool hub.
6. Go to Program Problems.
7. Select QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool. 

Please see this article for more details and visual reference: Fix common problems and errors with the QuickBooks Desktop Tool Hub.

If you're still experiencing the same issue, I suggest contacting our Phone Support again to investigate this issue further.

Feel free to comment below if you have additional concerns about printing forms or anything else while working on your account. I'll be happy to help you more.

I found that I have to use the envelopes which were included with my order for the 2021 1099's.  The prior envelopes I had left over from prior years will not work.  I called for help on this issues before I found this out and the associate that help me didn't even know this, he was clueless. Such a simple solution. 

I still get the "unrecoverable error" and QuickBooks closes.  Trying to align in the Print 1099 or in Printer Setup.  Is there a work around.  I would really like to get a better alignment in the address window.

I know it's rough when you encounter an error while fixing your printer set up, SandersF. I'm here to help you get this resolved.

There are several reasons why you encountered an unrecoverable error, and I've listed them below:

• Attempting to open a company file
• Closing a company file
• Downloading a payroll update
• Opening any window in QuickBooks (Home Page, Company Snapshot, Reports, Transaction)
• Running Verify or Rebuild
• Using the Open Previous Company feature

To fix this, let's use the QuickBooks Tool Hub. This tool fixes common company file issues in the program. Before proceeding, I'd suggest updating QuickBooks to the latest features and fixes. Then, create a backup of your company file to avoid any data losses.

After that, we can now download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub. Here's how:

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Download the most recent version (1.5.0.0) of the QuickBooks Tool Hub. 
3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
4. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
5. When the installation finishes, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the tool hub.

Once done, run the Quick Fix my File. I'll guide you how:

1. From the tool hub, select Company File Issues.
2. Select Quick Fix my File.
3. Select OK when it completes and launch your QuickBooks.

If you still get an error message, please follow Step 3 on this article: Fix Company File and Network Issues with QuickBooks File Doctor.

In case none of these fixes the problem, I'd suggest performing Solution 2 on this article: Unrecoverable Error: General Troubleshooting Steps.

Once the error is fixed, I'd recommend checking out these articles to help you align your 1099 form:

• Fix Print Alignment of Continuous-feed Printers
• Troubleshoot PDF and Print Problems with QuickBooks Desktop

Additionally, I've included an article that'll help you learn more about preparing and filing the 1099 form in QuickBooks. This ensures everything is accurate for the tax season: Get Answers to your 1099 Questions.

I'm only a few clicks away if you need assistance in printing your forms, SandersF. It's always my pleasure to help you out again.