TurboTax 2020 install fails on Activation - screen is blank

[mesquitebean]

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@billjans wrote:

The screen resolution fix worked for me to be able to install TurboTax on my new computer running Windows 10 20H2+.  I was also able to access my 2020 federal tax return but was not able to access my Virginia state tax return.  I get "Error:  190 - your federal tax forms on now on this computer, let's get your Virginia tax forms next."  I can't get further than this error message.  Has anyone else had this problem?

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Did you try to open a pre-existing *.tax2020 data file after you installed TurboTax on your computer?   If the data file had a state return in it, you have to first download the state program into your software before opening the file, or you'll get an Error 190 notice; i.e., without the state program installed, TurboTax won't know how to handle the data file that has a state return in it.

Have you downloaded the Virginia state software into your TurboTax program?   You may have to start a fake new return just long enough to download the state software.   Then you can open the *.tax2020 data file, hopefully without the Error 190.

FAQ:  Error 190 when opening file in desktop TurboTax

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/bugs-and-error-messages/help/error-190-when-opening-file-in-turbot...

[billjans]

Thanks.  That makes sense.  I'll give it a try.  It does seem to me that TurboTax should provide a better way to do this, though.

[mike0825]

I have intalled and reinstalled multiple times but act;ivation screen comes up blank. what do I do?

[billjans]

On the advice of others, I changed by screen resolution to 800x600.  Make a note of the current resolution so that you can change it back to original setting.  Then try reinstalling again.  This worked for me and others, but not in every case.  Try it and see if this works so you can activate TurboTax. 

[mesquitebean]

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@mike0825 wrote:

I have intalled and reinstalled multiple times but act;ivation screen comes up blank. what do I do?

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I'll expand on the information that user @billjans left you above (thanks, billjans).

Are you using Windows?  If so, a blank, partially-blank, or missing activation screen may be related to either a screen resolution or scaling problem in your Windows settings.

In Windows 10 to get to the scaling or resolution settings click the Windows start button in lower left corner, then choose Settings (gear icon), then System, then Display.   Or for a shortcut, you may be able to simply right-click on an empty area of the main Windows desktop monitor screen (not the TurboTax program screen) and in the popup menu choose "Display settings".

NOTE:  After you change the scaling or resolution setting as discussed below, you may need to close and relaunch TurboTax for the change to take place in that activation window.

First try the scaling setting.  In your Windows Settings do you have scale 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.  Try a lower screen resolution such as 800x600.   If that doesn't work, then try 1024x768.    If still not working, then gradually increase the screen resolution to the next level. Once you get the license activated, you can revert your resolution setting back like it was.

[mesquitebean]

Are you using Windows?  If so, a blank, partially-blank, or missing activation screen may be related to either a screen resolution or scaling problem in your Windows settings.

In Windows 10 to get to the scaling or resolution settings click the Windows start button in lower left corner, then choose Settings (gear icon), then System, then Display.   Or for a shortcut, you may be able to simply right-click on an empty area of the main Windows desktop monitor screen (not the TurboTax program screen) and in the popup menu choose "Display settings".

NOTE:  After you change the scaling or resolution setting as discussed below, you may need to close and relaunch TurboTax for the change to take place in that activation window.

First try the scaling setting.  In your Windows Settings do you have scale 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.  Try a lower screen resolution such as 800x600.   If that doesn't work, then try 1024x768.    If still not working, then gradually increase the screen resolution to the next level. Once you get the license activated, you can revert your resolution setting back like it was.

[dbekkerman]

I tried... changing the resolution to 800 x 600 ... i tried others as well... did not help. Had my Avast disabled either. Still not getting my activation screen up and running

[mesquitebean]

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@dbekkerman wrote:

I tried... changing the resolution to 800 x 600 ... i tried others as well... did not help. Had my Avast disabled either. Still not getting my activation screen up and running

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That's unusual.  Changing display settings almost always work.   However, you didn't mention scaling.    Did you try changing the scale setting in addition to the lower resolution?

In your Windows Settings do you have scale 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.

[swallen56]

I have a new HP Envy Laptop with SSD drive and 32 Megm RAM.  I redowloaded Turbo Tax 2020 from Your site and it won't activate...I get a screen (blank) with Turbo Tax 2020 - Activation at the top and nothing else.  I've changed the resolution to as low as I can and many higher steps and no change and my display scaling is set to 100%.  I'm aware that Turbo Tax is aware of this problem with the new Windows updating but they've been aware for some time and still no solution.  If I'm missing something please advise.  I really need TT to work ASAP.

I've been using TT for years and never had this kind of problems. I've re-downloaded and installed too many times and updated Windows.  TT-please get this fixed and tell me when it is fixed.  I can't wait much longer without being in trouble.

[billjans]

I have a similar computer and changing the resolution worked for me.  Sorry, but I don't have a helpful suggestion except possibly calling HP and Microsoft to see if they can help.  I suspect that this is a Windows problem which may be related to recent updates.

[mesquitebean]

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@swallen56 wrote:

I have a new HP Envy Laptop with SSD drive and 32 Megm RAM.  I redowloaded Turbo Tax 2020 from Your site and it won't activate...I get a screen (blank) with Turbo Tax 2020 - Activation at the top and nothing else.  I've changed the resolution to as low as I can and many higher steps and no change and my display scaling is set to 100%.  I'm aware that Turbo Tax is aware of this problem with the new Windows updating but they've been aware for some time and still no solution.  If I'm missing something please advise.  I really need TT to work ASAP.

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This is mainly a user community forum--not a direct route to TurboTax Customer Support.   If adjusting the screen resolution and scaling setting did not solve your blank activation screen problem, then please phone TurboTax Support for assistance.

Hours are currently 5AM-5PM Pacific (8AM-8PM Eastern) Monday-Friday.

You can use this contact form to get a phone number, or it may schedule a callback.
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact

[Roger4man666]

It gets worse.

I just got a new computer (HP Envy with Win 10 pro). Had same problem as others - the dreaded blank activation screen. After an hour on the phone with HP they were baffled but suggested I try safe mode to activate.  Well in safe mode with networking I was able to activate Turbotax 2020. Great? NO. As soon as I went back to normal Win10 loading the turbotax that was successfully activated in safe mode no longer started. Instead the blank activation window returned!!!

[swallen56]

I'm not sure what went wrong there because several have done this and it was successful including myself.  I think I would start over and download the program in safe mode and activate it in safe mode.  Then before restarting, click on the icon to load the program.  Then, restart normally.

[billjans]

I think we are all guessing here regarding a solution, so I will ask if anyone with Windows Pro has been able to activate TurboTax 2020 when they have this problem?  I am certainly not a Windows expert, but I think the issue is related to Windows versions or updates.

[swallen56]

You're right about the source of the problem.  I'm using Windows Pro 10 and had the same problem with no good answer until this worked.  First, completely unistall TT. Then, boot up in safe mode and re-download TT in safe mode.  Try the activation while in safe mode.  If it works, before closing safe mode, click on the icon and see if the program will load.  If it does (and it really should) then reboot normally and try to initiate TT.  Mine worked very well with this.  I hope you succeed.  Windows will eventually have to fix this but when is anyone's guess.

[Roger4man666]

I did what you indicated and find that I can activate and run TurboTax normally in safe mode. However as soon as I revert to normal mode, the blank activation screen appears. Sometimes after about 10 minutes this activate screen will populate but will not accept any inputs. So I remain unable to run Turbotax 2020 in normal mode.

Obviously problem is between Win10 Pro and TurboTax as I have no problem running TTax on my (older) Win10 Home computers.