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Level 1
March 1, 2020
Question

Every time I turn on Turbotax on same computer it asks me to enter activation code, last time it said I have used activation code maximum number of times?

  • March 1, 2020
  • 13 replies
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13 replies

Level 15
March 1, 2020

This error is caused by the Internet connection being unable to resolve connection to our server for license activation. There can be many reasons for this and they may not impact regular Internet usage and activity.

One of the following methods should resolve this issue. If they're successful, TurboTax will skip activation and open the starting screen where you can begin or continue your return.

If the product continues to prompt you for an activation code you have been unsuccessful.

Method 1: Temporarily disable your antivirus/anti-malware/firewall software

Method 2: Restart your router/modem

Method 3: Configure the TCP/IP settings

Method 4: IP config command line tool

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Level 2
August 4, 2020

It always bothers me when people play at IT or I call it a doctor on TV.  You do not have to restart your router or modem.  Funny how everyone always says to do that.  BS

"

Method 1: Temporarily disable your antivirus/anti-malware/firewall software Method 2: Restart your router/modem Method 3: Configure the TCP/IP settings Method 4: IP config command-line tool"

The only thing that has changed is the code that TT wants now that they use the activation code.  This tells me nobody tested the new variable (activation code to see if there are bugs).  If one registers it once, it should be on the server at TT.

 

The above will not work, now if you really wanted to know,  take a data capture but I guarantee you it will be at TT end

Level 2
June 25, 2020

I've only installed the software on one computer. I've tried on the second computer but keep getting Error Code 603. This is ridiculous.

Level 2
August 4, 2020

It is a Turbo Tax issue.  The app reaches out to the server and more than likely the code per your purchase is not staying cached.  

Level 3
March 30, 2021

FIXED !

 

I had this problem this morning and went around in circles trying to solve the issue. 

 

After reading some other posts about external disks, I removed a 32GB USB blank but formatted memory stick in my machine and it worked...TurboTax fires up correctly. Put the stick back in and it requests me to enter an activation code. 

 

I have tried it 10 or 12 times and removing the stick makes it work and putting the stick back in causes the activation code request.

 

This stick was not in there when I installed Turbotax way back last December.

 

Does anyone have an idea what is happening here 

 

 

 

 


THIS WORKED!

 

Thank you SNA for mentioning this. I plugged in a thumb drive (the same one I keep all my saved tax docs) and tried to open TT cd version and it said "enter activtion code".

 

I almost passed out having spent hours on my return and ready to finally file. I ejected my 4GB USB thumb drive

and it retried opening TT, it opened up perfectly, phew! 

 

Thanks for posting this for a quick fix!

Level 2
January 23, 2021

For me this was due to having a thumb drive plugged in and active on my computer.  Once I ejected and removed the thumb drive all requests for Activation codes went away.  

Level 15
February 4, 2021

@atlmom2 Please see the steps in this TurboTax FAQ for assistance: TurboTax 2019 and TurboTax 2020 requests license activation at every launch

If you continue to have issues please see the link below to contact one of our TurboTax representatives:

What is the TurboTax phone number?

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Level 2
February 7, 2021

There is definitely a bug in the product activation logic where can't deal with external USB storage correctly.  I had installed Turbotax on my Windows 10 laptop and activated it a month ago.  I opened the program on several occasions over the past few weeks and each time it updated Turbotax and restarted just fine.  Today I connected an external 5TB USB hard disk to backup some data and when I launched Turbotax, it ran the usual updates but after the program restarted, it prompted me for an activation code. I searched the forums and found others experienced USB thumb drives causing them issues.  I unplugged my USB hard disk and Turbotax no longer prompted me for activation.  When I plugged it back in, the problem return.  While I have a workaround for the issue, it's still annoying.  Turbotax needs to include a fix in one of their frequent updates to the product. 

Level 11
February 7, 2021

Thank you for your input and sharing your resolution. We are interested in improving the customer experience for all of our customers. 

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Level 5
March 28, 2021

I turned on my USB-connected Canon printer to print out a Quicken Tax Summary and TT started asking me for an activation code.   I've been using TT all day doing different returns and jumping between different returns; I'll bet I've opened and closed TT thirty times today alone, with no problems.

 

Turned the printer off and got in again with no problems.......

 

Learn something new every day.....

Level 15
March 28, 2021

@ stevekayak wrote:

I turned on my USB-connected Canon printer to print out a Quicken Tax Summary and TT started asking me for an activation code.   I've been using TT all day doing different returns and jumping between different returns; I'll bet I've opened and closed TT thirty times today alone, with no problems.

Turned the printer off and got in again with no problems.......

Learn something new ever day.....


Yes, adding or removing a USB device can sometimes make the TurboTax program think there's been a system change such as a new computer, and it can ask for activation again.   My USB thumb drive caused the same thing to happen to me.   Another user also reported an SD card did the same thing in his situation.  He had removed the SD card and was asked to re-activate, so he had to put it back in.  So it apparently can work in either direction, depending on the system setup when installed.

Level 2
April 10, 2021

I bought it via Amazon, who sent me the activation code in a confirm email a month ago. Suddenly Turbo Tax won't open unless I put it in again, and now I don't know it.

Amazon says it's not their problem, and Turbo Tax says it's not their problem.

 

So now I've paid for nothing? Unsatisfactory.

VolvoGirl
Level 15
April 10, 2021

One user said......

I was just having this same issue, but I just figured it out. So I thought I'd share in case you are still looking for an answer. Go to Your Account; then Digital Games and Software (under Digital Content and Devices section at the bottom middle); your TurboTax purchase should show there under Downloads and Codes; the license code will be the 16 digit code next ot "Activation Key". Hope this helps!

 

And see this user's steps

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/i-purchased-the-2019-turbotax-desktop-version-on-amazon-and-but-cannot-locate-the-license-number-to/00/1745095

Level 2
April 10, 2021

This happened to me a number of times when I did not go through the Turbotax product registration process. After registration I have not been asked for an activation code when I started the program (multiple times).

Level 2
June 17, 2021

any updates?  I am having the same issues in my pc windows, asking activation code every time i open it...   while in my laptop works fine...   help?   question 2.  if I keep reactivating in my pc, it counts as a new computer.. we have 5 pcs limit right??  reply.

Level 2
October 21, 2021

Hello, I had the exact same issue using a copy of TurboTax Home and Business 2020 that I downloaded from Amazon.  I tried all of the recommended 4 Methods they cited to resolve the issue and none worked.  I also consulted a PC Tech and he was unable to resolve the issue.  I called [phone number removed] and after pressing 1 for TurboTax I said "Customer Service" in order to bypass the robot.  I spoke with a TurboTax tech and she requested my "product number".  There absolutely is no "product number" on the download from Amazon.  All I could give here was my activation number.  That didn't help.  She consulted with her supervisor and finally gave me a new activation code that WORKED!!!  I had to login to my Intuit account, but TurboTax was not listed on my products.  The tech finally added it to my list of products with a download link that brought up the new activation code.  I was so happy I literally cried!  I hope this helps you with your issue.

Level 3
October 21, 2021

Lol enjoy it while it lasts. The moment you change any hardware config, like plug or unplug a USB , it will break.

Better make a good record if what is plugged into your PC now so you can lunch TT another day

 

 

Level 2
March 13, 2022

I resolved the issue by disconnecting from an encrypted cloud drive.