topic Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

packman — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:37:07 GMT

Help please! I'm getting this error in TurboTax. It happens when TT tries to get an update, and also happens when it tries to fetch my state file - therefore as a result I'm not able to file my state taxes! TT runs normally otherwise, and I was able to go through my entire federal return, but now I'm stuck with the inability to do state.

Here is the error:

I'm running Windows 7.

I see mention on the TT site of a need to download MS SQL Server Compact 4.0.:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900420-error-system-runtime-serialization-serializationexception-when-updating-turbotax-for-windows

I did this, including the bit about upgrading the permissions on the global.sdf file, but it did not help - I'm getting the same runtime error.

Please help! Thanks.

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

mary — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 00:29:27 GMT

been there, done that, what i needed to do was uninstall all other years of turbo tax software. then tt worked perfectly. good luck it worked for me.

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

packman — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 09:37:49 GMT

Thanks - will have to give that a shot tonight (got several years to uninstall).

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

packman — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 00:43:36 GMT

So unfortunately - it didn't work. I even tried doing a "repair", which included a PC reboot, and am still having the same problem. I'd like to call the TurboTax folks, but I can't seem to find a contact phone number on their website!!! Ugh. Will keep trying... if anyone has any other suggestions, please post!

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

packman — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 19:13:53 GMT

Update - I talked with a TurboTax person. She tried walking me through various attempts at things, but nothing worked. In the end we did a workaround where I manually downloaded the state and installed it manually, and that worked.

To download the state manually - I logged into turbotax.com, went to "Intuit Account" on the lower left, then Edit of Billing and Shipping, and then "Downloads & Unlocks", this showed a link to download the state installation executable.

Unfortunately during this whole process it charged me extra for the state download! $44.99. I'm trying to work with them to get a credit (I had purchased Deluxe, which is supposed to include 1 state download). They're being a pain in the rear about it, for some reason. Waiting for a supervisor to call me back.

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

packman — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 13:50:44 GMT

Update - I did get a refund last year OK, so happy with that.

Unfortunately this year - same error. I'm learning how this works now. Apparently it's a problem with Windows 7, that they still haven't fixed. The problem is when the TurboTax program goes and checks for updates; if it finds that an update is required, it gives this error, and won't allow you to fetch the update. So one work around is to uninstall the previous version of TurboTax, go to the downloads page and re-download and install - this will install the latest version. Then pick up where you left off, and now it allows you to continue filing without checking for software updates.

Unfortunately however one thing that still is a problem - the state return. TurboTax treats the initial download of state software as an "update", and it gives this error again, and there's no way around it, because the one-free-state software has to be installed directly from the TurboTax program; there's no option (that I see) to install it independently. Have to call Intuit on Monday I guess, to get this done.

(I'm filing late this year)

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

DJ42 — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 01:49:12 GMT

I purchased Turbotax Home and Business 2019 download from Amazon and installed it on my computer which still had Windows 7. Subsequently I upgraded the computer to Windows 10. I am getting the same errors as above when Turbotax tries to update or when I try to install the state software. Any advice?

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

Vanessa A — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 23:27:35 GMT

Try following the instructions in the following link.

Solved: Update and state download not working. Update ...

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

DJ42 — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 17:52:49 GMT

That did not work, but this did

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/updater-fails-with-unexpe[product key removed]lizationexception-both-for-the-main-program-and-when-trying/01/333832#M139648

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

DJ42 — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 14:46:52 GMT

After this week's Windows 10 updates, Turbotax again produces the System.Runtime.Serialization.SerializationException error when searching for updates. Repeating the action referenced in my post just above did not resolve the issue.

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

PhilG5145 — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 00:45:37 GMT

This fix referenced by Support does not work when you are running Windows 10. After it failed me, I uninstalled TurboTax 2019 and then reinstalled it again. This time I received this error

Intuit.Spc.Esd.WinClient.Api.GeneralException:Access to the database file is not allowed. [ 1914.File name =?

If this happens to you, follow these instructions, it worked for me. This has to be an Intuit software problem regardless of what Support says because the user who solved this problem was trying to install a 2017 version of Turbotax from 2 years ago, yet if fixes the problem on a 2019 version of TurboTax. Get it together Intuit....

Please try the following steps:

1) Close TurboTax

2) Go to Task Manager, click on the "Services" tab. Try finding "IntuitUpdateServiceV4".

3) Right click on the service and click on "Stop" to stop the updater service.

4) Once the updater service is stopped, Go to "C:\ProgramData\Intuit" path and delete the "Common" folder.

5) After deletion, restart the Updater service i.e. Go to Task Manager, click on the "Services" tab. Try finding "IntuitUpdateServiceV4" ,right click on the service and then click on "Start" option.

6) Once the Updater service is started, try opening TurboTax again.

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

DJ42 — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 15:44:33 GMT

I deleted the Common folder and was able to update normally. So far so good.

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

GeorgeWSmith — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 19:13:06 GMT

I get an error while trying to open turbo tax

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

LeonardS — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:01:56 GMT

Your post has been forwarded to product support.

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

DonnaLO — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:10:25 GMT

@GeorgeWSmith, what is the error you are getting when you try to open TurboTax? Is this TurboTax CD/Download or TurboTax Online?

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

janickip — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 14:55:33 GMT

Worked great! Followed the instructions and Federal and state software updated without issue

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

packman — Sun, 17 May 2020 13:06:55 GMT

Update for me this year (since I started this thread) - I have a new PC with Win 10, and it works no problem now so far, including getting updates. Haven't done state yet but I think it'll be OK (the updates said it was updating state as well).

(Edit: I just did the state, and filed, and all was good)

One slight quirk is - I click to open TurboTax, it looks for updates, installs them, and then says "successful install", but then when I clicked OK TurboTax didn't open - the window just went away. I had to re-open it. It worked fine then though.

So I guess my tip for folks dealing with this problem is - try the "delete common folder" fix mentioned (I haven't tried that; don't need to now - thanks for that tip); seems like that's worked for a few people. If that doesn't work then tough it out until getting your next PC, and you may need to do the manual state download instead of having TurboTax software "fetch" it.

Wish Intuit would have fixed this, but oh well. Generally their software is good.

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

DawnC — Tue, 12 May 2020 18:30:08 GMT

Thank you for the feedback and I am glad you are not having issues now. And for what it is worth, I always have to re-open TurboTax after an update is installed. I say I want to continue using it, but it doesn't re-open on its own....

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

villi — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 14:20:34 GMT

THIS LINK DOESN'T WORK.

Re: System runtime serialization error when trying to get updates and state file

MichelleLO — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 16:23:53 GMT

Are you receiving the same specific error message "runtime serialization" from this thread? If so, please provide which state you are trying to update.

@villi