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February 3, 2020
Question

Activation Code

  • February 3, 2020
  • 41 replies
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I already installed and activated TT in my computer with the activation code and it worked perfect. The next day I attempted to review my taxes and it is again asking for an activation code. Why?

    41 replies

    February 4, 2020

    Each time i restart turbo tax it asks for my activation code again--that can't be normal--can it?
    Mark

    February 6, 2020

    I had to enter the activation code each time I started the program. I save my tax files on a flash drive and I found that if I start the program with the flash drive removed it starts normally but if flash drive is inserted it asks for the code....

    February 6, 2020

    Thank you JTN80.  Having the same problem. TurboTax worked for a while then started asking for the activation code.  In my case it is a USB SD card reader that is causing the problem.  Doesn't even matter if it has an SD card in it or not.

    February 5, 2020

    Yes. What gives with the code! I experienced the same issue today. Unable to get into my completed file. This is the first year they require a code! How can we contact Turbo Tax help to correct this. 

    February 13, 2020

    Purchased TT Deluxe download from Amazon Prime 2/2020

    Downloaded fine but where is the access code?

    It is not the Amazon order number.

    February 24, 2020

    You are looking in the wrong area for an answer to your question. This thread deals with trying to figure out why it keeps asking for an activation.

    February 6, 2020

    I had the same problem....... Finally found that it only requests the activation code when my flash drive is inserted when starting the TT program. I store my tax files on the flash drive.

    February 6, 2020

    I had the same issue and have burned through 3 activations. Am going to call and complain. It should not look for a memory stick when starting. JEEZ!

    February 24, 2020

    Not it is doing it even without a memory stick. Any ideas?

    February 29, 2020

    I have only downloaded my software on 4 devices.  How do I fix this issue?  Also, I updated my windows on one of the laptops and it is asking for the activation code again and now indicates I have already maxed out on the number of devices I can download the software, but I already had this on this particular device.  This new license code had cause many issues this year.  What is the fix?

    -Tony

    February 29, 2020

    Please reach out to us directly at the link here for further assistance:

     

    https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

     

     

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    March 7, 2020

    Hi,

     

    First, please understand that I have called and had no luck with support, and now they do nothing but hang up on me even before speaking with me. Secondly, when I try to go to the "contact us" page, there is nothing displayed, so I can't seem to email support.

     

    I have been trying to activate my TurboTax software on a 4th computer. I KNOW it has NOT been used more than 3 times already, but it is telling me that all 5 activations have been used. It is ridiculous.

     

    If you look on the forums, this is a really huge issue and only some people are finding resolutions. Some have even been given new activation codes. Please help me as I have tried with your support so far and haven't had any solutions.

     

    Thank you. -Josh

    March 2, 2020

    I'm having the same issue and cannot finish my tax return. I've used Turbo Tax for years, but this will make me change companies!  What a pain.

    March 2, 2020

    @tgraa57  Refer to one of the methods in the following TurboTax FAQ to help resolve this issue:  TurboTax 2019 requests license activation at every ...

     

    If you need additional assistance, please reach out to our telephone support team:  What is the TurboTax phone number? - Community 

    **Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
    February 6, 2021

    This has been at least partially answered in several of the previous answers, but I think it can be generalized:

     

    I believe this happens whenever you go to open TurboTax and you have ANY device plugged into a USB port.  In my case it was an external mouse; in the case of others on here, it was a thumb drive.

     

    I suggest you remove everything from USB ports, open Turbotax,  and once the program is open you can plug anything/everything back in and continue as normal.

    February 24, 2021

    I have an activation code but it keeps saying something is wrong  My son-in-law bought it and we share it    it is good for 8 taxes

     

     

    VolvoGirl
    Employee
    February 24, 2021

    @gk511   Are you in Canada?  I think Canada has a 8 return version.  The USA Desktop program can do unlimited returns and efile 5 federal.  The rest you have to print and mail.    You can install it on 5 computers you own.  

     

    Here is the Canada forum https://turbotax.community.intuit.ca/tax-help

    Or Contact TurboTax Canada Support https://support.turbotax.intuit.ca/contact

     

    For USA help

    Contact Customer Service
    5am-9pm Pacific Time
    7 days a week
    https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

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

    March 23, 2021

    I just had this problem with TT 2020. Turns out the logic TT uses for determining if you are using the same computer or a different computer includes examining the drives plugged into USB ports. I had a backup drive plugged into one of my USB ports when I originally installed and activated TT on my laptop. The next day, I launched TT without the USB drive plugged in, and TT prompted me for my activation code again. I tried re-launching TT several times, each time with the same result. Then, I made one and only one change: I plugged in my backup drive in the USB port. Sure enough, TT then launched without prompting me for my activation code. I believe TT should be smarter about determining whether it is being launched on the same or different computer!

    March 24, 2021

    I'm having the same problem. Do I see someone answering that the internet is not reaching TurboTax's server? Blame it on the internet??? I BOUGHT this copy of TurboTax specifically so I could run it locally without the internet, so that can't be the right answer. I've already activated it and I shouldn't have to do it again. Good luck reaching TurboTax support...I don't see a way other than camping on the phone. They should have an e-mail contact. Looks like they have resorted to the user community to help ourselves. That is no way to do tech support Intuit!

    March 24, 2021

    The FAQ on Activation codes is bogus.  It may work for some people, but my copy of TT starts fine with internet access turned off.  In my case, and in others here, the problem is that your hardware has changed from when you installed TT.  Make sure that you have the same thumb drives, flash drives, printers and other USB things set up exactly like when you installed TT.

    March 27, 2021

    Same issue, repeatedly asked for activation code, did the ipconfig routine no success. now says All available activations for that code have been used. Error code: 603 and won't start. Same issue with activation last year (changed computers) and I had to buy another copy because I had bought it from an "unauthorized reseller".Well,  this copy is from Amazon, let's hope they're not pirates. Contact link goes to a blank page, looks like it's off to the phones Monday. 20 year user of quicken and turbotax, this may be the last.