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Level 1

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?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
March 1, 2020
13 replies
0 views

No text available

TurboTax Online

AlanT222

Level 15

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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Wonderer

Level 2

Alan,

You're mistakeningly implying this is totally a network issue. According to long troubleshooting conversations from problems activating the TurboTax 2019 last year, users are not required to reactivate at every single application startup if the initial activation was successful. You would think a year later and all the user complaints, Intuit would have fixed this problem by now. Yet, Turbotax 2020 has the same issue.

I've been using Turbotax since 1995. You've tried and failed badly trying this activation process once before. Many users including myself left for H&R Block back then. If you're going to continue this process, than do it right!

PLEASE get the developer on this issue and fix the problem.

Gary

dianthat12

Level 2

I agree with you totally. I just purchased 2021 and tried all of the turbotax suggestions; product still won't let me activate.

krmeyer369

Level 2

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.

mesquitebean

Level 15

@krmeyer369 wrote:
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.

I don't know if this will help, but a user anecdotally reported this worked for him/her. It's quick and easy to try. This is for a Windows PC.

Close TurboTax.
Right-click on your desktop TurboTax icon, and choose Properties.
In the Properties popup, go to the Compatibility tab.
Place a checkmark for "Run this program as administrator."
Click Apply and OK/Save.
Launch TurboTax, and see if it still asks you to activate.
Please report back your results.

If you continue to have difficulty, unless you get additional suggestions in this thread, here's how to reach Customer Support during business hours:

Hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern) 7 days.

You can use this contact form to get an incident number and phone number:
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact

rtl2

Level 2

Going Administrator didn't work for me. 😞

Oli68

Level 2

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.

MichelleLO

Level 15

@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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cckc

Level 2

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.

TiffanyL

Level 11

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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stevekayak

Level 5

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.....

mesquitebean

Level 15

@ 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.

Prof59

Level 2

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

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

sunnyT

Level 2

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).

californianewllc

Level 2

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.

suesheldon

Level 2

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.