License Code Multiple Request by TT 2019 Desktop App

[Dell795]

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.

[PMH54]

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!

[PMH54]

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-pr...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/forcefully-uninstall-and-reinstall-turbotax/00/260...

[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.

[DrMcole]

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: 

• C:/Program Filesx86/Common Files/
• C:/Users/[Your username/]AppData/Roaming/
• C:/Program/Data/

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.

[CC123]

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]

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

[CC123]

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.

[Critter]

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 😁

[ReachELS]

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.

[taylor61309]

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]

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

[Dell795]

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.

[Critter]

There are MANY solutions depending on your OS and security program ... what works for some doesn't for others so a standard solution is not possible... I have seen at least a dozen posted already ... call for a personal answer. 

[ryker]

critter--I don't believe you at all, and I sure don't believe your answer--read some of my post--I have had everything turned off--it still won't accept my activation code--yet see my computer to give me "critical program" updates--and then still not activate it--the program--you telling me they write such a cr-p piece of software, that everybody has to have different ways of getting it to work--give me and us a break--H&R is not like that at all.  this is one of the worst I have ever seen, and I have been on computers for a good 25 years, from back in the day of DOS,  you know what that is?