TurboTax 2023 keeps asking for Activation Code

[fed1996soft]

Hello,

In a recent upgrade to TT2023, it now keeps asking for an Activation Code, which I have supplied twice so far, using two licenses out of 5.

TT2023 Premier desktop version

I called into Support and while sharing the screen, the activation code request went away.  Figures.  Well, the next day, and since (about 5/6 days) it keeps asking for an Activation Code, so I cannot use the product.

What is the problem?

Thanks,

-Vincent

[Critter-3]

Couple of things that have helped in the past ...

Uninstalled OS updates can cause issues with the TT program ... so make sure all WIN OS updates are installed and reboot your computer at least twice then try again.

Another thing  seems to be what you had plugged into your computer at the time you loaded the program ... for instance a UBS connection of some kind.  If you had one in put it back, if you didn't then remove it and try again.

[Critter-3]

This was a problem a couple years ago ... may be fixed in a future update ... here was the workaround/fix : 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/install-products/turbotax-2019-turbotax-...

[fed1996soft]

Hi,

Thank you for the link.  I had seen this and went through each one except Configure TCP/IP settings.

I am hoping the next update will resolve this issue.  Otherwise, I need to return the product as I cannot use it.

Thanks,

-Vincent

[fed1996soft]

Hi,

I missed this response initially.  I do use a USB key every so often so I don't recall if I had it in or out when I installed TT2023.  I've put the same key in and taken it out, nothing seems to alter the activation code request.

I didn't think of the Windows Update, which I did.  There was one update KB2267602 a Defender update, but after shutting down and restarting several times, and rechecking updates, still ask for activation code.  Sigh.  Thanks!

[fed1996soft]

Hi,

Well, hours after the Windows update, the activation code went away and TT2023 was functioning normally.  Unfortunately, hours later, the activation issue reappeared.

I'm not certain what is going on here.  Nothing changed (USB, installed any apps, etc.) on the laptop from the completion of the Windows Update to the time it started to work to the time it went back to activation issues.

Sigh.

[CatinaT1]

Please call TurboTax Customer service.  Here is a link:  Turbo Tax Customer Service 

[joeroks]

I have the same issue. Contacted support and they have no idea why this is happening. When I start TurboTax (Deluxe on a Windows PC), I get one of the following:

1. The activation screen with the 4 dots going in circles forever.

2. The activation screen with a button with my activation code. I stopped hitting reactivate because every time I lose my ability to install the software on 5 computers. I'm up to 3 of 5 computers!!!

3. Turbo Tax starts (rarely happens)

[CatinaT1]

The TurboTax user license allows one user to install copies of TurboTax on up to five computers that the user owns. You can also prepare multiple returns, including returns for other people. But the license does not allow, and has never allowed, one copy to be shared among different people.  This year, that license is being enforced by requiring users to log into their TurboTax online account when they install the program for the first time. This locks one particular copy of the program and one license code to one user account. The only way you could install the program on a computer that you do not own, would be to give the other person your online username and password. And even though that workaround might allow the installation, it’s still a violation of the license.  

[joeroks]

Cantina. I think you misinterpreted my post. I have activated my TurboTax Deluxe Window Desktop version on only my home computer (no other computers). I am the only user. I am not trying to share it. Here's what is happening. I purchased, installed, and activated TurboTax Deluxe on my home computer. I started a new tax file and started entering my data. Several days later I tried to continue my return but I couldn't get back into the program. The program wanted me to activate it again which I did (on the same computer). Now it is saying I am using the license on 2/5 computers... of which I am not. I was able to get back in and continue my return after activating a second time.  A week later, the same thing happened. TurboTax was asking me to activate it again (which I didn't do because I didn't want to use 3/5 computers ). So I keep trying to open TurboTax and eventually, I can get back into my return (after about 30 retries). Some of those retries it wants me to activate again and some retries never get to the activation screen at all. In those cases, it seems like the program is hung...only 4 dots moving around the screen. 

Here is an excerpt from the a log file of a failed session...the error is in BOLD:

[2024-01-21 23:21:43.438250] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"IXPAssignment","levelName":"INFO","message":"Started DownloadExperimentAsync"}
[2024-01-21 23:21:43.438250] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"IXPAssignment","levelName":"INFO","message":"Started DownloadExperimentAsync"}
[2024-01-21 23:21:43.438250] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"IXPAssignment","levelName":"INFO","message":"Started DownloadExperimentAsync"}
[2024-01-21 23:21:43.438250] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"IXPAssignment","levelName":"INFO","message":"Started DownloadExperimentAsync"}
[2024-01-21 23:21:43.438250] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"IXPAssignment","levelName":"INFO","message":"Started DownloadExperimentAsync"}
[2024-01-21 23:21:43.438250] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"IXPAssignment","levelName":"INFO","message":"Started DownloadExperimentAsync"}
[2024-01-21 23:21:43.438250] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"IXPAssignment","levelName":"INFO","message":"Started DownloadExperimentAsync"}
[2024-01-21 23:21:43.438250] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"IXPAssignment","levelName":"INFO","message":"Got all experiment settings."}
[2024-01-21 23:21:44.297533] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"ProductActivation","levelName":"INFO","message":"MachineID initialized during ProductActivationService is b1...ac"}
[2024-01-21 23:21:44.313200] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"FileSecurityUtility","levelName":"ERROR","message":"Error on decrypt value using AES encryption algorithm.\nIssue in Decrypting."}
[2024-01-21 23:21:44.313200] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"FileSecurityUtility","levelName":"INFO","message":"decrypt value is null/empty"}
[2024-01-21 23:21:44.313200] (0x00005e30) [LOG_CLOUD] [LoggerWrapper.cpp(58) @ function : log_cloud] {"tag":"ProductActivation","levelName":"INFO","message":"Launched Product Activation Screen"}

[joeroks]

I have contacted support multiple times on this issue. 

[Dongolfer]

Cantina, so i can’t install 2024 deluxe on my company computer when on travel, after I installed it on my home desk top?

[CatinaT1]

You should be able to install on 5 computers you own.

The TurboTax user license allows one user to install copies of TurboTax on up to five computers that the user owns. You can also prepare multiple returns, including returns for other people. But the license does not allow, and has never allowed, one copy to be shared among different people.  This year, that license is being enforced by requiring users to log into their TurboTax online account when they install the program for the first time. This locks one particular copy of the program and one license code to one user account. The only way you could install the program on a computer that you do not own, would be to give the other person your online username and password. And even though that workaround might allow the installation, it’s still a violation of the license.  

[Tom_TT]

@CatinaT1 you say "user license allows one user to install copies of TurboTax on up to five computers" but the issue is the TT application is not accurately identifying unique computers. The TT app is apparently identifying COMPUTER CONFIGURATIONS.

Because of this bug the application activation counts are not accurate unless you have a very insecure computer, e.g., no VPN, no firewall, no antivirus, no anti-malware. The TT app apparently expects the IP address on the computer to not change (which is not reasonable). This is a bug.

The bug needs to be fixed.

I recommend that Intuit/TT developers look at the approach Microsoft uses for identifying COMPUTERS, e.g., hard disk serial number, amount of RAM, etc. Microsoft clearly describes that hardware changes can trigger the need to re-register: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change-2c0e962a-f0...

The TT software developers need to get on this ASAP.

At minimum Intuit/TT needs to provide a comprehensive list of what changes affect activation, e.g., USB devices, IP address, etc.

[sweetpeashub]

I just found what appears to be a work-around to the repeated activation codes for a reason that has not been discussed.

I keep my Turbotax files in a secure personal vault on Onedrive. It appears that Onedrive might be related to the issue. I moved my saved file to the local computer drive and launched by double clicking the saved file. This bypassed the repeated activation codes, and when I closed Turbotax and then used the normal icon it did not ask for activation. However it comes back as a problem, when it does I just close out, and opening from the local saved file is needed to get back to normal.