The activation screen for 2021 is blank. Where do I enter the activation codes?

I called the support line and they told me the solution:

Start TurboTax

When the blank Activation Screen comes up, Right Click on the Desktop to Display Settings

Change Scale and Layout to 100%

Go back to Activation Screen and enter activation code in Activation box (Ctrl V from Copied code)

The activation code will not show itself in the box

Click on Activate in lower right hand corner

Go back to Display Settings and enter in the original scale

Why does the resolution need to be reduced anyway?

It's a Windows thing. You shouldn't muck with the default  resolution because some programs can't handle it.

The TurboTax Activation Screen comes up blank with the default Windows resolution and scaling. The Activation Screen only appears when the scaling settings are changed after the blank screen appears. The step by step solution that is posted as the best answer came directly from TurboTax over the phone and works.

Best

NOT ABLE TO ACTIVATE

Please see the troubleshooting steps in the following help article to see if they might help resolve your issue.

Troubleshoot blank screens, missing buttons, or missing images

If those steps do not resolve your issue, you may need to update your video card driver. Please see the following help article for more information.

How do I fix blank screens during activation or in-product purchases

If you are still experiencing issues with activating your software, please comment back with specific details of the issue.

@WMDDRB48

I’ve gone thru the steps of changing resolution and can now see the activation screen however the box to enter my code will not allow any entries? The hyper links all work it is just that box that is active? Now what do I do?

Use ctrl-c to copy the code and then place your cursor on the box and use ctrl-v to paste the code. The code will not show up in the box. Move your cursor to activate and click to start the program

suggestion you gave doesn't work, call wayne [phone number removed] you've had my money since 12/22/21

You can try this resolution in this link here, provided by @miklk99. If you continue to have issues, please contact us via this link here.

@kstoakley

I totally agree. I have changed the resolution, removed the antivirus, rebooted, uninstalled and reinstalled the software and then I was on the phone with Turbo Tax for 45 minutes this morning and the young lady told me to call Costco, since I bought it through them.  I am a longtime user, but am so frustrated with Intuit.  This must be a conflict between Microsoft and Intuit, but the hastle and run around is really ridiculous.

I somehow got it to work I went in to properties for turbo tax and had to change the windows compatibility to windows 7 also not sure if you figured it out all ready but don’t change the resolution to the lower level until the blank activation page comes up then change it hopefully at that point I finally saw the button to push for activation and you type in the code box even though you can’t see anything  

@jimandkathy10 Refer to the above post by @EbonyL122824.  Please reply back if this does not resolve the issue.

🛑RESOLVED - Leave blank activation page open>>right click on the desktop>>click display settings>>change resolution to one below customers resolution>>The page will change, and you will see the box to enter the code; however, you will not see the cursor and the customer will not see anything when they type in the box, but it is typing. Now, once the customer has typed the code(only numbers and letters, no dashes)>>change the resolution back to original>>verify code is correct>>Click activate>>Change resolution lower again>>Click get started>>Change resolution back to original. 😎

The method is all about changing resolution over and over to see. This is an issue related to Microsoft Windows. There is some file, driver, or permission blocking visual feedback.

With all due respect, this changing of the resolution and copy and pasting is NOT a solution. I have tried that and while it worked for activation, I have the same exact problem when I try to download the state version. The problem with THAT is choosing the state is through a dropdown list that you cannot choose from at all. So now this software has become vaporware.

I should not have to go through hoops to run this software. It is clear that this is a major bug in the programming. I don't want to have change resolutions, update my video drivers or adjust my firewall settings (the latter of these do NOT work, BTW). I have been a TT user for more than 20 years and this is completely unacceptable.

FIX THIS or you've lost a customer.

@rushfanatic Are you using Windows 11? We are tracking how many users continue to have this issue.  In the meantime, refer to this post by another community member, who was able to successfully resolve the issue by updating their drivers.

Yes - Windows 11. Might be the culprit. Keep us posted. Thanks. 

Thank you for your feedback. We have escalated this experience to our IT team for additional assistance. In the meantime, we hope the workarounds suggested in this thread allow you to use the software. 

This solution works!  thank you to everyone who gave the clear and detailed instructions!

I worked with support for over 3 hours tonight. Tried everything previously stated in this thread (downloaded updates, installed drivers, rebooted), then had to change resolution and copy/paste into each field even though you cannot see it being entered.  Now am at the point I cannot eFile State as the screen where you enter credit cart payment info is blank.  Changing resolution and copy/paste into each field on a credit card form is not acceptable, especially when you cannot see the entries.  This is absolutely ridiculous!! Support said "why don't you just print and mail your return".  If I had intended to do that, I wouldn't have paid for the software.   Next year I will be using something else.

additional note:  using a HP laptop, less than 12 months old, Windows 10 with all latest windows updates and drivers installed.  

I have an newer ACER Computer and have downloaded the 2021 version of Turbotax Home and Business. Can't get past the Activation Screen. What I find strange is the 2020 version installed with 100% screen display and ran with 150% screen display. This version does not. Have contacted tech support with no solutions. Running Windows 10. Major bug with an obvious lack of testing.

Please take a look at this thread to see if any of these troubleshooting tips may be helpful @Denn01 .

I have a newer laptop and have not upgraded to Windows 11.  Had the same issue.  Work-around did work, but geez it was a bit ridiculous having to jump through all those hoops just to get the program installed.  Makes me question if my taxes will be calculated correctly.   I'm too a long-time user of TT and this is a first.  Do better.

Thanks for the solution that worked. I have newer ACER Computer with intel 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1135G7 @ 2.40GHz  8 GB RAM Windows 10. I did Defrag Disk and close all windows prior to trying your solution.  Display was 1920x1080. I changed Scale and Layout from 125 to 100 and right clicked, got screen to enter activation code. Pasted the activation code in the box. Now works with 125 Scale and Layout.

I can't activate my 2021 turbotax for windows, when i open the program there is a window that says "activation" and a couple of moving dots like it's just loading, more than and hour passes and nothing changes, it's the same window and i can't continue. I tried to uninstall and install but it doesn't work.