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Level 1
posted Jan 23, 2020 7:50:54 PM

Can't activate Turbotax Home and Business

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?!?

3 126 13786
24 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jan 23, 2020 8:37:09 PM

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

Level 1
Jan 24, 2020 5:23:28 PM

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.

Intuit Alumni
Jan 25, 2020 10:20:45 AM

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/

 

Returning Member
Aug 16, 2020 2:04:33 PM

Did this ever get resolved, I have the same issue

Returning Member
Sep 25, 2020 1:02:26 PM

Unable to activate TT Premier 2019

Returning Member
Sep 25, 2020 1:09:02 PM

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]

 

Returning Member
Sep 25, 2020 1:17:06 PM

Can you provide live chat assistance to solve problem?

Level 15
Sep 25, 2020 1:18:47 PM

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
Nov 5, 2020 6:33:47 AM

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?

New Member
Dec 15, 2020 8:59:39 PM

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
Dec 16, 2020 6:05:21 AM

@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

 

 

New Member
Dec 23, 2020 2:33:23 PM

Unbelievable!!! I can't believe I wasted hours on this and it was a screen resolution issue. I even called TurboTax and they were no help at all. Thirty minutes trying to convince me my download was bad until I finally installed it on my old computer to prove that was not the issue. Then they told me they could not help me.  :(

 

Thank you!!!

Level 1
Dec 26, 2020 3:32:01 PM

you r a genius! thanks

Level 2
Dec 28, 2020 7:33:50 AM

Have done all of suggestions, but still nothing

Level 15
Dec 28, 2020 8:08:11 AM

@k6sun - can you provide more detail? 

 

1) were you able to download the file from TT?

2) did it launch? did it download the updated files?

3) did it hang up at activation?

 

do you have a new PC purchased after OCt 10, 2020 (and presumably running WIndows 20h2?) check start>settings>system>about)

Level 2
Dec 28, 2020 8:10:09 AM

Yes it downloaded but YES hung up at the activation part.  I have been trying to cancel the software recently purchased and maybe trying not basic but deluxe instead but no response as yet.

Level 15
Dec 28, 2020 8:13:28 AM

did you try this?  appears the issue is anyone who has Windows Version 20H2 (Start>settings>system>about); this version is installed on all new computers purchased after Oct. 10, 2020) - does that fit you? 

 

  • change your resolution to 800 x 600 (start>setting >system resolution. once it's been changed, your screen size will look very big. 

    REMEMBER your initial resolution setting

    !
  • launch TT and the activation screen should launch.  copy / paste in your activation code. you should get the 'all set' green check mark
  • change your resolution back to what is was originally. 

Level 2
Dec 28, 2020 8:38:00 AM

Ok will try this and yes on computer.

Level 2
Dec 28, 2020 8:55:41 AM

It worked...thank you so much.

Level 2
Dec 29, 2020 11:09:38 AM

I can't get mine activated on either of my computers. 

Both are Windows 10 Pro, one on ethernet & the other on WiFi.

The error message when I try to activate says TurboTax cannot connect to my computer.

I ran all my updatees, no change.

I flushed the dns & no change.

I changed dns settings & no change.

I changed default browers & no change.

I tried every resolution for my monitor, no change.

Restarted my Pace 5268AC Gateway from ATT & no change.

Spent 4 hours on various phone calls with Turbotax, with no change.

They even let me download a program - I have a CD - and gave me a new activation code.

No change.

Looks like I will have to send the program back to Amazon & get something different.

Unless someone who knows more than I do can help.

PLEASE

Level 15
Dec 29, 2020 11:19:21 AM

suggest calling Turbo Tax support directly....

Level 2
Dec 29, 2020 11:40:48 AM

They helped me.  They said with a new Windows update something is blocking.  They suggested I reduce my resolution to 800 x 600 then try it.  But remember what your resolution was before hand so you can return to it...and it worked...Try that.

Level 2
Dec 29, 2020 5:45:22 PM

Tried that, didn't work

Returning Member
Dec 31, 2020 5:43:11 AM

Changing my resolution to 800x600 fixed the issue for me too.  It definitely has something to do with the larger resolutions.  I am installing TurboTax 2020...