TurboTax 2020 install fails on Activation - screen is blank

[61Tazgirl]

I am having same problems on my new computer, any solutions?

[MichelleLO]

If you are experiencing a blank activation screen, many users have found success with adjusting the screen resolution. Please see this TurboTax FAQ to assist with this. 

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

What is the TurboTax phone number?

@61Tazgirl

[mesquitebean]

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@61Tazgirl wrote:

I am having same problems on my new computer, any solutions?

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Are you getting a blank activation screen and can't enter the code?  If so, here's the workaround if you are using Windows:

In Windows 10 go to the Display settings and review your scaling and resolution settings.  Here's how to get there:

Click the Windows start icon in lower left corner of your screen or press the Windows key on your keyboard.  Then choose Settings (gear icon), then System, then Display.

Once you are there, do you have scaling set to a higher value than the normal 100%?  If so, change it back to 100%. Once the license code is entered and activated, you can later change your scaling setting back like it was.

If lowering the scaling to 100% didn't help, then it may be screen resolution.  New computers are often set a very high screen resolution.   Try a lower screen resolution such as 800x600.  Once you get the license activated, you can revert your resolution setting back like it was.

[61Tazgirl]

It worked for me but how frustrating to get to here to find this.  Spent far more time then you should have to, trying to fix it.  Later, it quit working again and had to reset screen resolution again, then back.  I will consider different tax software next year if this persist between Turbo Tax and Windows ten.  Should have a permanent fix in thier updates by now.  But thank you for suggesting your solution.

[suetif]

Has a Turbo Tax support person fixed this yet? Also the problem with Turbotax It's Deductible? And the Search function? All come up blank. The workaround is somewhat sufficient, but not for It's Deductible :(

[mesquitebean]

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@ 61Tazgirl wrote:

It worked for me but how frustrating to get to here to find this.  Spent far more time then you should have to, trying to fix it.  Later, it quit working again and had to reset screen resolution again, then back.  I will consider different tax software next year if this persist between Turbo Tax and Windows ten.  Should have a permanent fix in thier updates by now.  But thank you for suggesting your solution.

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You're welcome.  I'm glad the suggestions worked for you.  I agree that TurboTax should program those popup screens to accept all screen resolutions.   Modern computer monitors generally have been set with a higher screen resolution for the last few years.

[mesquitebean]

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@ suetif wrote:

Has a Turbo Tax support person fixed this yet? Also the problem with Turbotax It's Deductible? And the Search function? All come up blank. The workaround is somewhat sufficient, but not for It's Deductible :(

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If you are using Windows, the solution for the license code activation screen and the ItsDeductible log-in screen are the same.  I've recently helped 2 users use the log-in popup for importing from ItsDeductible this way:

You didn't say what "your" problem with ItsDeductible is, so I assume you are referring to importing ItsDeductible into desktop TurboTax .  And I'll assume its a popup screen in the TurboTax program where you would normally have the data fields to enter the User ID and password to your Online ItsDeductible info.  And are those fields missing, and most of the popup is blank? 

There is an invisible Google reCAPTCHA that operates that login screen, but you definitely should see the User ID and Password fields.   If you're not, and you are getting a mostly blank screen, the missing elements are probably due to a Display setting in regards to scaling or screen resolution.   Try the scaling setting first since it's the easiest as follows:

Go into Windows Settings> System>Display.

Check your scaling setting.  If you are using a high scaling, then try 100% instead.  Does that popup now have the ItsDeductible User ID and password fields?

Or if that doesn't help, in that same display settings try a screen resolution of 800x600 to see if that makes any difference.

You can put those options back like you had them later.

[suetif]

I did report the problem with It's Deductible - it is what you have said. But changing the resolution does not help in this case. Screen is still completely blank. Luckily I didn't use it much this year, so was able to enter everything manually.

[mesquitebean]

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@suetif wrote:

I did report the problem with It's Deductible - it is what you have said. But changing the resolution does not help in this case. Screen is still completely blank. Luckily I didn't use it much this year, so was able to enter everything manually.

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Then I can't explain why it works for some but didn't for you.  Did you also use a normal scaling of 100%?

[suetif]

It's really too bad that Turbo Tax has missed the mark this year - very poor support! Will not be using it next year!

[AnthoniL]

I had same issues on new laptop, I  had to change resolution back and forth to get the tax done. Until when making payment for state e-file, same problems come back, can not get to payment screen.  I gave up and installed on desktop PC  Windows 10 version 20H2 with 27 inch monitor with same 1920x1080 resolution, I did not have any problems (did not have to do anything with screen resolutions).

I still don't understand clearly the issues and I can not say problems has been resolved.

[e-mkeyser]

I'm trying to install on Lenovo Yoga and it's failing on Activation also.  I bought 2 CD versions and one online version and they have all failed at Activation.  Activation screen is blank

[SForrestLO]

Troubleshoot installation and running TurboTax for Windows Troubleshooting Installation

If this does not work, you can contact an agent.

This FAQ will provide you with the steps to contact an agent. Contact an agent

[jmtmomo3]

Thank you soooo much for the reply below.  I just put in the setting changes that you recommended and got the program activation screen to load.  I usually purchase the cd but got a new computer in January and thought it was as a result of trying the download but it ended up being the turbo tax program.

[Paul001]

Change the resolution to the minimum and then try again. Change it back afterwards. Several members have suggested this and it seems to work. It has been an issue for months. I cannot understand why TT doesn't fix it.