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Fix activation, license, and product numbers issues

SOLVED•by QuickBooks•4•Updated January 08, 2024

Learn how to fix errors when you enter your product and license numbers, your activation code, or you get an error after you subscribe or sync your data in QuickBooks Desktop.

We'll walk you through how to fix these issues so you can get back to work. In this article, you'll learn what to do if:



Your product number doesn’t match what’s on the screen

This can happen if you made a change to your license number. To fix this, change your product code.



Fix Error: You have entered incorrect license/product numbers errors

Make sure the license number and product code match.

  • If you bought QuickBooks Desktop from our website: Check your purchase confirmation email for your license number and product code. If you can't find them, you can sign in to your Customer Account Management Portal to get them.
  • If you bought QuickBooks from a retail store: Look for the sticker on the original CD envelope.
    User-added image

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Fix other activation or registration errors

Solution 1: Run Quick Fix from the QuickBooks Tool Hub

QuickBooks might not activate because of a problem with its background processes. Download the QuickBooks Tools Hub and run a Quick Fix to close any open background processes. It'll run a quick repair on your program.

Step 1: Download the QuickBooks Tool Hub

The QuickBooks Tool Hub helps fix common errors. You'll need to close QuickBooks to use the tool hub. For the best experience, we recommend you use Tool Hub on Windows 10, 64-bit.

  1. Close QuickBooks.
  2. Download the most recent version (1.6.0.3) of the QuickBooks Tool Hub. Save the file somewhere you can easily find it (like your Downloads folder or your Windows desktop). Note: If you've installed Tool Hub before, you can find out which version you have. Select the Home tab. The version will be on the bottom.
  3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
  4. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
  5. When the install finishes, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the tool hub.

ToolHubIcon_QBDT_US_Ext_051320.jpg

Note: If you can't find the icon, do a search in Windows for QuickBooks Tool Hub and select the program.

ToolHubSearch_QBDS_US_Ext_051320.jpg

Step 2: Run Quick Fix from the Tool Hub

  1. In the QuickBooks Tool Hub, select Program Problems.
  2. Select Quick Fix my Program.
  3. When the tool finishes, start QuickBooks Desktop, then open your data file and try to activate.

If you still get the error, move on to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Run the 3371 error fix from the QuickBooks Tool Hub

  1. Close QuickBooks.
  2. In the QuickBooks Tool Hub, select Installation Issues.
  3. Select 3371 Error Fix and then OK.
  4. Start QuickBooks Desktop and open your data file.

If something goes wrong when you install QuickBooks, it could make it hard to activate. Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to fix common install issues.

  1. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub, then select Installation Issues.
  2. Select QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. Let the tool run. It can take up to 20 minutes.
  3. When the tool finishes, restart your computer and start QuickBooks Desktop, then open your data file and try to activate.

If you still get the error, move on to Solution 4.

  1. Add a Windows user with admin rights.
  2. After you create the new user, sign out of Windows and sign back in as the new user.

If this fixes the error, you can keep the new admin user, or remove it and use your existing user.

If you're still getting an error, move on to Solution 5.

If you still get an error fix reinstall QuickBooks. This won't affect your company file or account data. 

You should only do this if you're an IT professional, a confident Window user, or work with an expert from Microsoft support. Follow the steps for the version of your computer.

If you have a 64-bit computer:

  1. Go to the Start menu, then type cmd.
  2. Right-click cmd, then select Run as Administrator.
  3. At the C: prompt, enter cdwindowssyswow64, then press Enter.
  4. Enter regsvr32 MSXML4.dll, then press Enter.
  5. Enter regsvr32 MSXML6.dll, then press Enter.

If you have a 32-bit computer:

  1. To open the Run window, press Windows key + R on your keyboard.
  2. Type cmd, then press Enter.
  3. Enter regsvr32 MSXML4.dll, then press Enter.
  4. Enter regsvr32 MSXML6.dll, then press Enter.

If you can activate and open QuickBooks, you're good to go.

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Fix Error: The validation code is incorrect or This service is temporarily unavailable

Solution 1: Check your date and time settings

  1. Close your QuickBooks Desktop.
  2. Right-click the time display on the Windows taskbar, then select Adjust Date/Time.
  3. Check if your date and time settings are correct. If they are, move on to the next solution. If not, continue with the steps 4 to 8.
  4. Select the Date & Time tab, then set the date for the current year.
  5. Select Apply, then OK.
  6. Open your QuickBooks Desktop, then go to Help.
  7. Select Activate QuickBooks Desktop, then Begin Activation.
  8. Enter the validation code, then select Next.

Solution 2: Manage your license

Solution 2: Manage your QuickBooks license

Step 1: Find your license number

Sign in to your Customer Account Maintenance Portal (CAMPS). Find your license number and product number. Once you have your license and product number, go to Step 2.

Step 2: Activate QuickBooks again.

  1. Go to Help, Manage my license, then Change my license number.
  2. Enter the license number as all 0s and select next.
  3. Don't enter a validation code and then select Finish.
  4. Go to Help, Manage my license and then Change my license number.
  5. Enter your License number, select Next and then Finish.

Your QuickBooks is now activated.

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You see a blank screen when you try to activate

Your antivirus software might be in the way. Disable your antivirus software and try again. You can turn it back on when you’re done.

Reach out to your antivirus provider if you need help to get it to work with QuickBooks. They’ll have the best advice on what to do next.

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Validation code screen doesn't appear

If you don't get asked to enter your validation code, there are a couple things you can try.

Solution 1: Manually activate QuickBooks

  1. With QuickBooks open, navigate to the Help menu and select About QuickBooks.
  2. Press <Enter> + R + P when the QuickBooks logo displays. A manual activation window opens.
  3. Enter your validation code in the window.

If you encounter an error stating that you have entered an incorrect license or product number, you have likely downloaded the incorrect installer for your product (for example, you downloaded the US installer for your Canadian product).

If you still can't enter your validation code, go to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Manage your license

  1. Go to Help, Manage my license, then Change my license number.
  2. Enter the license number as all 0s.
  3. Don't enter the validation code and then select Finish.
  4. Go to Help, Manage my license, then Change my license number.
  5. Enter your license number. When prompted enter the validation code, and select Finish.

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