On 4 April 1932, Active was involved in a collision with fellow A-class destroyer HMS Achates off Saint-Tropez, although damage was limited.

This time damage was more severe, and Active was under repair at Malta until June that year, when the ship joined the Second Destroyer Flotilla.

[8] In August 1940, she returned to British waters, joining the 12th Destroyer Flotilla for operations in the Western Approaches and with the Home Fleet.

[7] After completing this refit, Active joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet,[7] and in May 1941 the ship participated in the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck.

During the rest of the war the ship served as escort mainly between Great Britain and Sierra Leone after receiving increased anti-aircraft and anti-submarine armament.