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Level 3
posted Dec 16, 2019 6:11:58 PM

Update not working

Installed TurboTax Deluxe 2019 for Windows 10, download edition from Amazon. Update / Updater does not work. I feel I just paid for a piece of junk software. I have tried the manual update but that just freezes during an attempted update, gives a Error 1719. How am I supposed to use TurboTax if it can not be updated??? I am feeling robbed of my money at this point because I surely can not use the software without updates on tax laws, tax tables, etc. Solutions?

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1 Best answer
Level 3
Dec 17, 2019 6:23:22 AM

SOLVED (possibly) : I use Windows 10 x64, so on the TurboTax shortcut icon on my computer desktop I right clicked and chose the option to 'Troubleshoot Compatibility', and I chose to run the program as Administrator. That seems to have solved this, as a successful update ensued. Hopefully this is all that was the issue, as frustrating as it was to get to this solution. Perhaps Intuit / TurboTax should add this solution as something for people to try that have this same issue.

24 Replies
Level 15
Dec 16, 2019 6:53:21 PM

Error 1719: Windows Installer service could not be accessed

This error occurs when updating TurboTax.

If you're using Windows 10, try this

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task manager.
  2. Look for Intuit update service in the process tab and end process.
  3. Look for MSIexec.exe in the Details tab and end process.
  4. Try installing Turbotax again.

If you're using Windows 7 or later, try one of these

  1. Run the Windows System File Checker, then try updating again.
  2. Re-register Windows Installer.
    1. Select Start > Run > and type MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER.
    2. Select OK (it'll look like nothing happened).
    3. Repeat steps 1 and 2, but this time type MSIEXEC /REGSERVER.
    4. Try updating again.
  3. Start the Windows Installer Service.
    1. Select Start > type Services.msc in the search box and press the Enter key.
    2. Scroll down and select Windows Installer.
    3. Select Manual as the Startup type.
    4. Select Start, then OK.
    5. Try updating again.

Level 15
Dec 16, 2019 6:55:53 PM
Level 3
Dec 17, 2019 4:30:15 AM

Yeah I had already tried all that. Did not work/help. So frustrating.

Level 3
Dec 17, 2019 4:33:28 AM

I was able to install the downloaded TurboTax, and activate it with the license code, it just will not update. And I found that "fix"/"solution" that you suggested even before posting here on the community support and I went through all those steps (I am geek, having programmed computers, websites, been computing for decades, built 20 computers, etc) but they did not solve the problem.

 

At this point unless a solution comes around within a few days I am going to switch from TurboTax to something else as this is so disappointing that I paid good money for a product that does not function and that can not be returned for a refund.

Level 15
Dec 17, 2019 5:15:45 AM

@Thor88 

 

You should call tech support daytime/weekday hours and let them work thru it with you.  Its possible that the Amazon download is corrupted at their end and Tech folks may be able to give you a separate new download file if they can't figure out what's wrong  (that's up to them ).

  They do need to be able to figure out what's happening to you though, in case it's happening, or going to happen to thousands of other folks.

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

Level 3
Dec 17, 2019 5:59:47 AM

I totally agree. Once their support business hours are open I am going to call them.

 

I also ordered just now the H&R Block Deluxe software on disc, in case this is a corrupted download issue, and because I have become disappointed in the price increases of TurboTax. I have used TurboTax for 20 years I think, and this is really the first such technical issue I have encountered. I want to see if this issue is easily solved, because I have already spent a good two hours of my time on this, maybe 3 hours. If the H&R Block software installs and updates and imports my TurboTax info from last year I might just switch to that give the price difference for the future. But I will call TurboTax support this morning, curious what they suggest; if they have a fix for this I will report back. Like I said, I tried all the usual alleged fixes and I am a geek (C/C++, command line usage, bash, Linux, PC builds, CSS/websites, so if I can not get TurboTax to work then there are going to be others with this issue in deep trouble.

Level 3
Dec 17, 2019 6:23:22 AM

SOLVED (possibly) : I use Windows 10 x64, so on the TurboTax shortcut icon on my computer desktop I right clicked and chose the option to 'Troubleshoot Compatibility', and I chose to run the program as Administrator. That seems to have solved this, as a successful update ensued. Hopefully this is all that was the issue, as frustrating as it was to get to this solution. Perhaps Intuit / TurboTax should add this solution as something for people to try that have this same issue.

Level 15
Dec 17, 2019 7:37:13 AM

This seems somewhat new, though it occurs for some other situations.  But for others who happen upon this thread...here's some details on how to set it:

_________________

.....TTX should only be installed and run as an Administrator..not in some guest account without administrator privileges...but it's hard to know each person's exact setup.

 

BUT, even if you installed TTX software as an Administrator, sometimes you have to set it again in the <"Properties"<<"Compatibility" tab as follows:

 

Exit TurboTax....then:

 1)  right click TurboTax 2019 icon

2)  Select  … Properties

3)  Select the  Compatibility tab

4) In the "Settings" box … check the box to "Run this program as an administrator"

 _________________

 

Yeah, perhaps it needs to be added to this FAQ....where the first set of directions detail how to set to  "Run as administrator" in the compatibility tab:

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/troubleshooting/help/troubleshoot-blank-screens-missing-buttons-or-missing-images/01/25724

Level 3
Dec 17, 2019 8:18:17 AM

I actually installed TTX with my normal account which is an admin account. I still had to choose to *run* TTX  with administrator privileges in order to make its updater work correctly. Again, this is on Windows 10 x64, TurboTax Deluxe 2019.

Level 15
Dec 17, 2019 8:49:23 AM

Yep..I don't have any idea under what conditions that happens.  That's why included the "BUT" sentence as a part of my instructions above.  (I just high-lighted the "BUT")

 

Mine works seamlessly OK (so far) on both an MS surface Pro, and HP All-in-one desktop....both 2019 Premier, and 64bit.   Don't know if there might be some quirks if you are using W10-Pro vs W10-Home.

 

 

Level 2
Dec 17, 2019 9:37:20 AM

Same issues as Thor - spent about 8 hours doing all kinds of stuff recommended here and via MS - started with a "Waiting on the Installer Service...." error. This fixed it immediately and needs to be widely broadcast

Level 3
Dec 17, 2019 12:26:27 PM

I am using Windows 10 x64 Home edition.

New Member
Jan 4, 2020 2:43:28 PM

VERY glad I found this thread... right clicking on TurboTax in the start menu (Windows 10 here) and selecting Run As Administrator made it work. However, the fact that I had to search just to find a work around for a product that doesn't function right out of the box is absurd. 

New Member
Jan 4, 2020 6:01:11 PM

When I go into the program, the updater comes up and I click on it.  It does not update but goes to the program.  When I am in the program, I click on check updates and it enters the updater but it does not update.

There is a wait feature and that eventually does not automatically update after the wait period.  I end up in the program and nothing has been updated.   Not sure how to get my program updated.

Level 15
Jan 4, 2020 6:28:40 PM

Updates do not happen daily especially over a weekend... try again on Monday. 

New Member
Jan 19, 2020 10:59:47 AM

Over a month later and still no answer?? I've been having the same problem and getting sent to the ends of the earth to 'try this' - all to no avail! What's going on TT?

Level 15
Jan 19, 2020 11:03:49 AM


@JoeCB wrote:

Over a month later and still no answer?? I've been having the same problem and getting sent to the ends of the earth to 'try this' - all to no avail! What's going on TT?


Did you try this? -

Close the TurboTax program

Right click on the TurboTax desktop icon

Click on Properties

Click on the Compatibility tab

Check the box Run this program as administrator

Click on Apply and then on OK

Start the TurboTax program

Level 15
Jan 19, 2020 11:06:19 AM

@JoeCB 

 

Try the Manual Update (Windows systems only)...download and install it separately.  (TTX must be shut down first )

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/updating/help/manually-update-turbotax-for-windows-software-basic-deluxe-premier-home-business/00/26041

 

_________________

And then if it's still a problem, call Customer Support:

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

 

 

 

 

New Member
Jan 19, 2020 11:11:14 AM

Thanks to Sunflare98, Thor88 et al for tracking this solution down and follow up postings. Finally back in business. Thanks again.

Level 3
Jan 19, 2020 11:55:54 AM

"the fact that I had to search just to find a work around for a product that doesn't function right out of the box is absurd. "

^^^ yup. I NEVER had these issues in past years, always installed Turbotax the same way, same admin account, and TTax always ran flawless. This is something new this year and it was annoying and a time waster.

Level 3
Jan 19, 2020 11:57:22 AM

I tried the manual update, it did nothing to solve the problem. Only by telling Windows 10 to run TTax in Admin mode did TTax finally work (do updates).

Level 15
Jan 19, 2020 12:24:32 PM

Yep...the Manual update only works in certain situations.  I only proposed it because @JoeCB  "should have" already tried the earlier directions "Run as Administrator" before his initial post .  Apparently not.

 

The "Run as Administrator" procedure posted by you,  and meticulously detailed by myself above on 17 Dec, and by @DoninGA  an hour ago are also common "fixes" .   It is impossible for folks in a forum like this to know each person's exact setup....so several fixes are sometimes proposed...and when none of them works, we'll end up directing you to call TTX Customer Support.   

Level 1
Jan 27, 2020 7:48:05 PM

The "run as Administrator" worked for me, thank you for posting!

 

Also note that if the install is "stuck" because the installer is already running, open Task Manager, go to the Details tab, find "msiexec.exe" and click End Task.

 

It appears to me to that this is a bug that Intuit should address, since I am running TurboTax 2018 on the same computer with the same account and it updated without any problem.  At a minimum, if the install is going to fail due to not running as an Admin, it should provide a clear error message and not just fail without an explanation.

Level 3
Feb 5, 2020 2:22:58 PM

Spent 2 hours on the phone with one of their "expert" this morning. Tried all these things multiple times to no avail. I, too am close to uninstalling TT, asking for a refund, canceling my subscription and going with some other product.