The activation screen for 2021 is blank. Where do I enter the activation codes?

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
January 4, 2022
7 replies
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I installed the 2021 TurboTax and have reduced the screen resolution to see the box, but it still does not let me enter the activation code. Why does the resolution need to be reduced anyway? This is a major bug.

TurboTax Online

Best answer by rf_ee

I called the support line and they told me the solution:

Start TurboTax

When the blank Activation Screen comes up, Right Click on the Desktop to Display Settings

Change Scale and Layout to 100%

Go back to Activation Screen and enter activation code in Activation box (Ctrl V from Copied code)

The activation code will not show itself in the box

Click on Activate in lower right hand corner

Go back to Display Settings and enter in the original scale

rf_eeAuthorAnswer

I called the support line and they told me the solution:

Start TurboTax

When the blank Activation Screen comes up, Right Click on the Desktop to Display Settings

Change Scale and Layout to 100%

Go back to Activation Screen and enter activation code in Activation box (Ctrl V from Copied code)

The activation code will not show itself in the box

Click on Activate in lower right hand corner

Go back to Display Settings and enter in the original scale

fanfare

Employee

Why does the resolution need to be reduced anyway?

It's a Windows thing. You shouldn't muck with the default resolution because some programs can't handle it.

rf_eeAuthor

The TurboTax Activation Screen comes up blank with the default Windows resolution and scaling. The Activation Screen only appears when the scaling settings are changed after the blank screen appears. The step by step solution that is posted as the best answer came directly from TurboTax over the phone and works.

Best

kstoakley

I’ve gone thru the steps of changing resolution and can now see the activation screen however the box to enter my code will not allow any entries? The hyper links all work it is just that box that is active? Now what do I do?

rf_eeAuthor

Use ctrl-c to copy the code and then place your cursor on the box and use ctrl-v to paste the code. The code will not show up in the box. Move your cursor to activate and click to start the program

jimandkathy10

I totally agree. I have changed the resolution, removed the antivirus, rebooted, uninstalled and reinstalled the software and then I was on the phone with Turbo Tax for 45 minutes this morning and the young lady told me to call Costco, since I bought it through them. I am a longtime user, but am so frustrated with Intuit. This must be a conflict between Microsoft and Intuit, but the hastle and run around is really ridiculous.

kstoakley

I somehow got it to work I went in to properties for turbo tax and had to change the windows compatibility to windows 7 also not sure if you figured it out all ready but don’t change the resolution to the lower level until the blank activation page comes up then change it hopefully at that point I finally saw the button to push for activation and you type in the code box even though you can’t see anything

That Guy1

🛑RESOLVED - Leave blank activation page open>>right click on the desktop>>click display settings>>change resolution to one below customers resolution>>The page will change, and you will see the box to enter the code; however, you will not see the cursor and the customer will not see anything when they type in the box, but it is typing. Now, once the customer has typed the code(only numbers and letters, no dashes)>>change the resolution back to original>>verify code is correct>>Click activate>>Change resolution lower again>>Click get started>>Change resolution back to original. 😎

The method is all about changing resolution over and over to see. This is an issue related to Microsoft Windows. There is some file, driver, or permission blocking visual feedback.

jimandkathy10

This solution works! thank you to everyone who gave the clear and detailed instructions!

Anonymous

None of the documented work-arounds resolved the issue for us, but disabling the Intel Iris Xe driver did the trick. The driver automatically re-enables itself after reboot, so it's easy peasy. Hold down the Windows + X keys, press M for the Device Manager, go under Display Adapters and Right-Click on the driver to open up the Context Menu, and select Disable.

Gridgely12

Having exact same issue with download version TT 2021 activation screen comes up blank white page with blue circles forever circling. Tried uninstalling reinstalling. Re downloading. Been a TT user for over 20 years never had even 1 issue. I’m using an old computer that had TT files on it back to 2014 with MS windows 10. Called support no help all the same things I have already tried.

rushfanatic

This is what happens when you farm out your development team to halfway around the world. As a project manager myself I have dealt with this kind of thing and it's no picnic. Things don't get done in time, communication is awful and customer service gets flushed. It all boils down to cheaper labor. In the meantime us consumers get left out, forced to come up with stupid workarounds (and those suggested still don't work for me) and we're left with vaporware. And I've seen on this thread the constant repetition of the same message that Intuit has been peddling for the past month.

I'm getting to the point where I don't even want to use TT this year, despite plopping down $55 for it already. As far as I'm concerned if this isn't resolved in the next two weeks I'm done as a customer.

SteveSanDiego

I had same issue and tried the Resolution change with no success. I bought TT Premium on 2/5/22. After downloading, it did its usual thing of checking for updates. After I restarted it, it showed a blank dialog titled TurboTax 21 - Activation. If the dialog worked, this is where you put the activation code. Intuit support has Q&A on this and claims that changing the screen resolution will fix it - it doesn't, and even so, the user should not have to deal with this, the development team should take care of it. The problem dates back to 2020 where I had the same problem when installing my TT 2020 software on new PC later in the year (September 2020). I did not have problem in Feb 2020 in the year (February 2020 so some SW bug seemed to be introduced. I contacted TT Support and was known problem that apparently still exists, I gave you a pass last year. Fix this, Intuit! I am using a 2020 LG Gram 17 at default resolution, nothing outside of what you should be testing.