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Level 4
December 14, 2019
Solved

License Code Multiple Request by TT 2019 Desktop App

  • December 14, 2019
  • 29 replies
  • 26 views

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.

Best answer by PMH54

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.


1-27-2020: The following has worked for me... So far…

 

I am using a Lenovo T530 Laptop with Windows 10 Home, Version 1909. Intel i5-3210M CPU, 500 GB Hard Drive. 8GB RAM. Norton 360 Antivirus software. Spectrum ISP.

 

Since my last post on 1-2-2020, I have been able to open and update TT with no problems. However, I have turned off my Norton Antivirus and Smart Firewall before each attempt. As TT refuses to publicly admit there is an issue with the TT software, it is impossible to determine if my issue has apparently (maybe) been resolved by turning off the Norton software, or if TT has made a ‘Behind the Scenes’ modification to their software via one of the updates. I keep seeing posts saying those folks fighting this problem are in the minority. But I am betting the minority is large enough to put a dent into TT’s sales numbers if TT does not find a solution. It may take another 2014 situation to get Intuit’s attention.

29 replies

Critter
Level 15
December 14, 2019

TurboTax License Activation every time TurboTax 2019 launches results in Error 603 after 5 attempts

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.

Who Is Impacted?

The Following users may be impacted by this error

  • Using TurboTax Desktop 2019
  • Have successfully activated the License
  • Being prompted to activate multiple times
  • Have activated 5 times resulting in an error 603

In the meantime please do not attempt to reactivate your license until we resolve the issue.

Level 2
January 19, 2020

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.

Critter
Level 15
January 19, 2020

Contact TurboTax support and speak directly with a TurboTax support agent concerning this situation.

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

PMH54Author
Level 4
December 14, 2019

 

 
Level 2
July 8, 2020

[product key removed]

Level 2
July 8, 2020

I think the product key is removed!

PMH54Author
Level 4
December 18, 2019

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.

DoninGA
Level 15
Level 15
December 18, 2019

@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

Level 3
January 29, 2020

The link to contact TT is useless since they don't contact you.

SteamTrain
Level 15
December 18, 2019

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.

 

____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*
December 25, 2019

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. 

Level 2
December 26, 2019

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

Level 3
December 27, 2019

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.

PMH54Author
Level 4
December 27, 2019

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!

PMH54Author
Level 4
December 27, 2019

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.

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/bugs-and-error-messages/help/error-[product key removed]lling-c-pro[product key removed]n-files-intuit-turbotax/01/25804#M440

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/forcefully-uninstall-and-reinstall-turbotax/00/26003

Level 2
January 24, 2020

I am in the same boat. After I get asked to enter the license code it takes me to another screen that states that there is a problem connecting to the computer and TT cannot be launched. It suggests to restart modem and disable anti-virus and firewall. Upon doing that and restarting the software and entering the code again, I get the same response. Tried uninstalling the program that was loaded using my CD from Amazon and just downloading it. No luck either, same story. Called customer service, was issued a new code tried it all again and still no luck, same story. This is ridiculous. Customer service said they have not heard of this problem, yet it seems to be common on here. I have tried so many different solutions and still nothing. Even tried on both Windows 8 and 10... 

AkinaLO
Level 15
January 24, 2020

Please contact customer support again at (800) 446-8848.  Let them know you are still having issues. 

 

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
Level 3
January 25, 2020

AkinaLO, are you saying that TurbotTax has a resolution to this problem?  If so, why not post it?

 

My experience is that I have spoken with 5 or 6 different "support specialists", each of whom has expressed surprise at the issue, and has said they have not heard of this issue before.  Each time, I have had to spend at least 30 minutes on the phone, only to end up with no resolution.

 

I want to talk with someone who is already aware of the issue and who knows how to fix the issue.

 

And why this thread is marked "Solved" is beyond me.  Clearly it is an unsolved mystery, one that TurboTax/Intuit seems not to want to acknowledge.

Level 2
February 12, 2020

I am having the same issue.  The first activation worked fine.  I ran the application several times and now it is asking to reactivate.  None of Turbotax's suggestions have worked.

PMH54Author
Level 4
February 13, 2020

2-13-2020: I continue to get periodic requests from TT to re-enter the Activation Code. Even after I have turned off my Norton Antivirus and Smart Firewall. It seems to happen occasionally after receiving TT updates. I have found that NOT ENTERING THE CODE, but rather closing the app, and then re-booting my computer, somehow gets thing back to normal which then allows me to open TT without any issues.  Continue to leave the Antivirus and Firewall off prior to trying to open the app.

 

This is really ridiculous. I’m tired of applying Band-Aids to this product just to get it to work the way it already should before it was offered for sale to the general public. TT has not gained any respect from me in the way they have handled this fiasco.

Level 11
February 15, 2020

If you're using TurboTax CD/Download and have installed and activated the license number, you may receive multiple activation prompts, which results in TurboTax not launching. You can use the link provided below for assistance with the request:

 

TurboTax 2019 requests license activation at every launch

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
Level 2
February 27, 2020

Everyone is giving a bunch of mumbo jumbo explanations regarding re-entering the activation code and firewalls and all of that mess.  Here's how I solved the problem. DO NOT RE-ENTER the activation code.  Hit cancel and close the program.  Re-open it several times and hit cancel DO NOT enter the activation code.  Then shutdown your computer.  Turn it back on.  Open TT 2019 if it asks for the activation code DO NOT enter it keep cancelling and closing the program.  It took me at least 5 open and closes and one shutdown then opened it two more times and it worked. I have had to do this almost every time I close the program and come back to it later or a different day.  

Level 3
February 28, 2020

I had this same issue on my Windows 10 desktop and found an easy fix that may or may not help others, but here it is for what it is worth.

 

I was prepared to call TT support when I noticed that a flash drive that I had used to store bank statements on was still residing in a USB port.  Removal of that drive immediately corrected the problem.

 

In my case the problem was that my system was not playing nice with TT, not with TT itself.  So, check your system for any changes that may have been made just prior to your problem.

 

 

Level 2
February 29, 2020

Thank you so much woodythegoat, removing the USB drive worked for me!

Level 2
March 4, 2020

Same problem. I purchased TurboTax from Amazon via download last December and got things started. Cranked it up today to finish taxes and it wanted to re-activate.