I am one of the lucky folks receiving multiple requests to input the 2019 Turbotax license code. 2019 Turbotax Deluxe desktop CD on Windows 10. I tried all of TT’s suggested actions to correct the problem. I finally uninstalled the software and then reinstalled the software. I again entered the license code. It is now working. At least for the time being. I am afraid to close the application for fear it will not launch next time. Does this mean I have used 2 of my 5 available licenses? Are there any other updates from TT on resolving this issue? Thank you.
Some TurboTax Desktop users who have installed and activated the License number may have been prompted multiple times for activation. after 5 attempts at activation, users receive an error 603.
The Following users may be impacted by this error
In the meantime please do not attempt to reactivate your license until we resolve the issue.
@Critter Thank you for the reply. I went the route you have suggested a few days prior to my post and received the following as a reply from TT on 12-11-2019. These are the actions TT suggests to resolve the problem. None of them worked to provide a long term solution for me. That is why I resorted to uninstall/reinstall the software. Here I sit hoping someone has discovered a long term solution to share with the group.
12-18-2019 Update: I have found that after the initial TT application launch and activation, I am consistently allowed 4 additional launches. The very next launch I am again asked for an activation code. It may be a coincidence, but during my final allowed launch, TT also downloaded updates. I am finding it difficult to believe the problem is on my end.
@PMH54 wrote:
12-18-2019 Update: I have found that after the initial TT application launch and activation, I am consistently allowed 4 additional launches. The very next launch I am again asked for an activation code. It may be a coincidence, but during my final allowed launch, TT also downloaded updates. I am finding it difficult to believe the problem is on my end.
See this TurboTax support FAQ for possible solutions to this problem - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/turbotax-license-activation-every-time-turbotax-2019-launches/01/960924
If you still have a problem with the license code then contact TurboTax support for assistance.
Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/
Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax
That software update on your last launch was likely a coincidence....since a software update was just issued last night. No way to know if that update has any fixes for the code-entry problem.
Additional 12-18-2019 Update: I talked to a real person at TT Support in CA. He was very patient with me. He told me that once the software gets authenticated the first time, via the license code, the program has no further need to talk to the TT server for further authentication. His thoughts were that I may possibly have been sent a 'Demo' copy of the software that only allows a limited number of times the application can be opened. He is sending me a new CD directly from TT. It should be delivered in a few weeks. We will see if that resolves the issue. I can find nothing technically wrong at my end that could be causing this problem. As a point of reference, I purchased the original software package through Amazon.com.
Amazon purchases have been problematic from time to time especially if you thought you were buying thru the Amazon system but instead were buying from a third party vendor. If anyone else runs into this issue they should request an immediate download direct from TT so you don't have to wait for a new CD.
True..if a valid package, your old CD package "should" contain directions on how to get a new download of the installation .exe file directly from TTX. They started doing that because of the gazillions of people with computers that no longer have a CD/DVD drive.
The newly shipped CD will likely contain just a preliminary copy of the software...needing immediate updates. But the download service (from TTX) will give you the most current installation file with all updates already a part of it.
Of course, you may want to wait for the newly shipped CD anyhow, since it would likely also have a new security code that you (perhaps) should use instead ...because the old code may have "issues" with your installation count.
12-18-2019 Update 2: I just tried using the Download method, rather than the CD, to reinstall TT on my computer via InstallTurboTax.com. Yes, it is still the package from Amazon. I entered the license code (that's my 3rd license) and it came up working. I closed and opened the app more than 8 times with no problems. Although it may be a coincidence, it seems strange to me that both of my previous 2 licenses were no longer accepted after TT did an update to my software (12-11-2019 & 12-18-2019) via the TT software application.
Stay tuned...
As with all new systems ... this code requirement was bound to have issues but such is the cost of progress, conforming to IRS rules & regs and of course the program integrity.
12-19-2019: Since using the Download method, rather than using the CD, I've tried everything I can think of to break TT. I did a reboot of the computer. TT did a download of a State software patch. I initiated the State Tax portion of TT. After each step I closed the TT app and then reopened the TT app. So far all is going smoothly. I am not ready to declare victory quite yet. I still want to see the app go through an update unscathed. That may not happen until sometime next week.
Continue to stay tuned...
12-25-2019: **RESOLUTION** After using the Download method, rather than the CD, to reinstall TT on my computer via InstallTurboTax.com, the app opened OK and has been working OK ever since. My lesson learned is using the Download method, rather than the CD, gives one a better chance of receiving an app that is not corrupted. After all the frustration, my opinion is TurboTax is still the best tax preparation software available for the majority of consumers.
i use the desktop deluxe version and have had no problems with installing from CD, updating or using the software on either of my computers. One runs win 7 pro the other win 10 pro.
how did you get it to run on the win7--I spent an hour with phone help for my win7 ultimate, and it still won't activate
I have now joined the 603 error crowd with no resolution in sight. I installed TurboTax H&B 2019 on a single computer and seemingly successfully activated it, used it, printed some preliminary forms, saved my work, then shutdown my computer for the night. The following day, after restarting my computer and launching TT 2019, I again had to activate. This happened again the next day, so I contacted TT support. Now, have gotten the 603 too many installations after being on the phone with no less than 4 representatives on December 26, being cut off (aka hung up on) twice by TurboTax, and downloading and installing a new copy from the TurboTax website. Nothing works, and none of the 4 TurboTax reps I talked with had ever heard of the problem.
I have used TurboTax for at least 24 years. Regarding this matter, I spent 90 minutes on the phone through 3 phone calls WITH NO RESOLUTION OF MY PROBLEM. 30 minutes with the first rep, who then said Advanced Technical Support wanted to talk with me directly and said she was transferring me to them...after a minute or two on hold, the person who answered the line was not Advanced Technical Support but another Program Support person WITH ABSOLUTELY NO KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAD ALREADY BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH TURBOTAX FOR 30 MINUTES. After a fruitless 30 minutes with the second person, I was again put on hold, whereupon I was cut off (aka TurboTax hung up the phone). NO RESOLUTION OF MY PROBLEM AFTER AN HOUR on this, my first call. I called TurboTax back a few minutes after being hung up on, spent another 20 minutes with yet another rep, who when she put me on hold made a point of saying if we got cut off she would call me back and repeated the correct number. Well, we got cut off, and I never received a call back. I called a third time after trying installing a copy downloaded from the website. At least he understood that at this point, there was not much else to try. Every rep I talked with said this was the first time they had heard of a user having this activation problem. I had to direct them to this and other posts in the community.
I’ve been using TT for 20 years and this is the first year I’ve had issues with the software. It certainly sounds like there is more to this than TT is admitting. TT is aware of the problem as is evident by other posts on this site from TurboTax Help (Intuit). Twice, instead of uninstalling the TT program, I opted to try the ‘Repair’ option. TT seemed to go through the repair procedure OK until the end when it gave me the following Error 1334 message. This is why I thought the corrupted disc explanation was a feasible answer.
Error Installing C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Intuit\TurboTax\TY19
ApplicationController: MSI Install Exception occurred: Microsoft Installer error: 1334, with error code 1334
stacktrace: at Intuit.TaxInstallers.Setup.MsiHelper.InstallMSIPackage(Boolean install, String msipath, String cmdLine, IntPtr ownerWindowHandle, Boolean userCancelled) at Intuit.TaxInstallers.Setup.MsiHelper.ReinstallProductWithRecaching:MsiProductInfo pr...
Error Code: 1334
As I previously stated, the TT program started to ask me to input the License Code again after TT went through an Update session. I thought I had been through at least 2 updates with no issues after using the Download method to install my latest version. Now I am nervously waiting for the next TT update to arrive to see if my app starts to act up again. If problems persist, my Plan B option is to use a CPA this year, and possibly also in future years. I really have no desire to become an IT professional in order to get my taxes done!
Here are a couple of additional links to TurboTax Help (Intuit) pages that may help. It is next on my list of things to try if my latest install didn't actually resolve the problem.
1-2-2020: Well, my hopes have been dashed for an easy resolution. TT is again asking for the Activation Code. Since I re-activated TT on 12/18/2019, I have opened and closed the app more than 50 times with no problems. During that time TT updated three times OK.
I received the following updates before TT asked me again for the Activation Code:
12-18-2019: Critical Program Updates (Release 12/11/19), Fed Tax Forms Updates (Release 12/17/19), Wisconsin (Release 12/18/19).
12-25-2019: Help and Support (Release 12/24/19)
1-2-2020: Fed Tax Forms Updates (Release 1/2/20), Critical Program Updates (Release 1/2/20).
Later on 1-2-2020 TT loaded the following updates prior to again asking for an Activation Code on restart: Wisconsin (Release 1/2/20)
I have spent way too many man-hours trying to get a $50 piece of software to function correctly. This is not an isolated problem as can be seen by reading multiple comments on Amazon and also on this Community Discussion Blog. There are way too many folks fighting this problem for it to be an anomaly. I’m done. After 20 years with TurboTax, it is time to move on.
I was getting the "add activation code" a few times, so I decided to do a full uninstall and reinstall, and now I have not been asked to enter the activate code. Did a few reboots to test. I used Apps & Features in Win 10 to do the uninstall, then I went to the following directories and manually deleted any Intuit folder:
Finally I deleted the Turbo Tax folder in C:/Program Filesx86/
Then I reinstalled. All good so far after multiple reboots.
FYI, I'm using Home & Business that I downloaded from Amazon.
I keep getting error code 603 that I activated too many times. This is after using it many times and started inputting my tax info. I uninstalled the download I had done from the disk from costco and downloaded it off the TT website with the activation code I had and got the same error message. I don't want to start changing all settings on my computer if there's no guarantee it would work. I have been using TT for many years this is ridiculous and extremely frustrating. Not sure how to proceed? TT please tell me how to proceed I'm ready to go pay too much to have an accountant do my very simple/basic tax return forms again and return TT to Costco and never use again.
See this TurboTax support FAQ for a contact link and hours of operation -https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number
Thank you for the advice. I went to site, got phone # and issue code. Got through to TT quick (and it's Sunday). The rep tried giving me a link via email to fix it but it didn't work. Then he had me go on my online account and he gave me a new activation code. So it works fine now. Still a bit nervous about opening the file too many times but for the time being all good. Thank you.
Actually sunday is a good day to call since the call volume is low especially in the AM or when the super bowl is on 😁
As a follow-up, the dreaded EC 603 hit me again this week...this time on TT for Biz. I had previously experienced the issue on TT-Dlx back in December which was resolved when I (1) removed Malwarebytes from my pc and (2) was provided a new licence code by Intuit.
Hard to blame Malwarebytes for this one as I have not re-installed it. Tried the 4 step correction process (disable firewall/antivirus, reboot router, configure TCP/IP, IPconfig commands) to no avail. A very nice young lady in VA provided me with a new license code which I am sure will work.
That said, I am not entering the new code and updating until I am ready to do my return (mid-March). At this point, one must assume only 5 bites at the apple.
I appreciate that the activation feature cuts down on piracy but this snafu is going to cost Intuit dearly unless they come up with a different solution.