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Level 2
January 24, 2020
Question

Can't activate Turbotax Home and Business

  • January 24, 2020
  • 25 replies
  • 183 views

Turbotax won't let me activate. As in, there is no menu or dialog box for me to enter my activation code. 

 

I purchased and downloaded initially through Amazon and had the blank screen process. Contacted TT through twitter and was told 3rd party downloads are janky and I should get a refund. Did that and then purchased the DVD and downloaded from installturbotax.com and have the same blank screen problem. 

 

I've gone through all the troubleshooting processes I can find related to this issue with no success. What is going on?!?

25 replies

EbonyL122824
Level 9
January 24, 2020

Please try the steps in the following FAQ and if you are unsuccessful,  respond back and we will dig deeper.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/turbotax-2019-requests-license-activation-at-every-launch/01/960924#U960924

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Level 2
January 25, 2020

Per the article I was directed to:

 

You are impacted if you

"have successfully activated your license"

 

I can't activate the license because the activation menu does not display. IT IS A BLANK SCREEN.

 

 

 

 

Nevertheless, I attempted Methods 1, 2, & 3 provided in the article even though I didn't meet the criteria for that to be my solution. They didn't work. I've even tried a different computer and I'm having the same problem. Turbotax needs to dig deeper.

Level 14
January 25, 2020

Please contact our customer support for additional help with activating your TurboTax product if none of the troubleshooting tips helped. https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

 

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Level 2
September 25, 2020

Unable to activate TT Premier 2019

Level 2
September 25, 2020

Gives some instruction on what to do with my computer to overcome problem, but not being computer orientated, I need live help from a turbotax expert.  Please call:  [phone number removed]

 

Level 2
September 25, 2020

Can you provide live chat assistance to solve problem?

Critter-3
Level 15
September 25, 2020

Please contact our customer support for additional help with activating your TurboTax product if none of the troubleshooting tips helped. https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

Level 2
November 5, 2020

Have the INTUIT developers found the bug yet after 10 months?

 

My TurboTax-19 H&B ran fine back in Jan-Feb but now moved it to a brand new Windows 10 Dell and same problem as above - blank activation screen.

 

On the phone with TurboTax help line for 2 hours yesterday, he even consulted a developer, no luck.

There is  serious incompatibility bug, no point pretending the elephant is not in the room.

 

Any progress?

Level 2
December 16, 2020

You will not believe this.  I found a resolution to the blank activation screen in another support site.  Changing display resolution to 800 x 600 and then starting turbo tax.  Activation screen shows up.  Activate and then return to the original display resolution.  Worked for me with Premier 2020. Once activated I tested in the original display resolution and it works.    This is unbelievable to me since 800 x 600 has not been used for years.

Level 15
December 16, 2020

@kenmeyer - i ran into this as well.   It's only an issue for those that have Windows Version 20H2 which has been loaded on all new computers manufactured after Oct 10, 2020.....I bet you have a new PC.....

 

please read through this thread 

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/activation-2019/00/1740866

 

 

Level 2
January 19, 2021

Just purchased TT home and business 2020.  The activation screen is blank except for a blue dot in the middle of the screen.   I just purchased my computer so should meet all the requirements.  I am not great with technology but have never had a problem downloading Turbo Tax in prior years.  I have turned off my virus software and reset my router.   What else can I do?  Have been at this for a couple of hours already. 
Thank you. 

Critter-3
Level 15
January 19, 2021

Did you try the screen resolution trick in this thread yet ?   Read the answers in this thread.  

Level 2
January 19, 2021

Screen resolution works.  Try it...take resolution temporarily to 800 x 600, then when activated reinstate resolution.  What I have found, however, if you try to open link on laptop for turbox tax same thing will happen so my suggestion is to save document...it opens that way.

Level 2
February 11, 2021

This is ridiculous. Brand new laptop. Turbo tax Premier.  Have to change screen resolution to 100%, put in 15 digit activation code, , then change screen resolution back to 125% so I can activate after it updates every time (which it does every time I open the app up) . What a hassle. Spent at least 30 minutes or more on phone to find solution.  If they don't fix I will be buying H&R block in future. Ive been using TT for at Least 10 years or more now. They're going to lose me if not corrected. 

Level 2
February 11, 2021

Totally agree having gone through same hassle. It is ridiculous that this far into having TurboTax 2020 available, the Customer Service team is clueless on the solution. I have used TurboTax for more than 15 years and also am considering switching to H&R Block in the future. 

 

Level 2
February 13, 2021

You poor man - I've experience the SAME EXACT issues and have spent days on it.  THANK YOU! Thank you for sharing - you were the solution to my TT problem. So sad even TT didn't know something this simple after also spending hours with them on the phone. I had researched online if others had this problem, but wasn't until today that I found your post.  THANK YOU AGAIN!

Level 2
March 2, 2021

Thank you very much this really works. 

Level 2
March 17, 2021

Same problem with blank activate screen. Spent hours with Amazon trying to activate download. They referred me to TurboTax. Spent 4 hours and then was finally told it is a windows 10 problem. Has anybody got a fix? Getting close to April 15... 

Level 15
March 17, 2021

Please see this TurboTax Help Article to assist with troubleshooting your blank screen issue: Troubleshoot blank screens, missing buttons, or missing images

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