Why am I receiving corrupt file messages for my PC based 2020 program?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
February 6, 2021
24 replies
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I couldn't transfer from my 2019 e-filed return, despite following directions received here. So I started a new return from scratch. It is almost finished, but when trying to access it I received a "file corrupted" message. This is the second time this year this has happened and it never happened before in all my years using Turbotax. I hate to have to re-enter everything again.

TurboTax Online

Best answer by Mike9241

while others have reported issues with installing and updating the app, you are the first to report multiple file corruptions. one possibility is a corrupted installation that corrupts the file when you save it. you can try to uninstall the app. reboot and try reinstalling. no assurances this will solve your file corruption issue since there are many other things that can cause file corruption, search the web for possibilities. also make sure your system meets the minimum requirements for windows 10.

Minimum system requirements for TurboTax Windows software
SOLVED•by TurboTax•TurboTax Windows•5179•Updated 7 days ago
Here are the minimum system requirements for TurboTax 2020 software for Windows operating system before installing. More info

Administrator rights are required to install and run TurboTax.
Processor: Pentium 4 or Athlon or later
Hard Drive Space
• 2020: 1 GB for TurboTax (plus up to 4.5 GB for Microsoft .NET 4.5.2 if not already installed)
RAM
• 2020: 2 GB or more recommended
CD/DVD drive if installing from the CD.
Internet connection
• 2020: 1 Mbps modem (broadband connection highly recommended). Required for product activation, software updates and optional online features
Monitor resolution: 1024x768 or higher recommended
To view your tax forms onscreen, you'll need adobe 11 or higher and a compatible printer if you want to print paper copies.
Note: If you just meet the minimum system requirements, TurboTax may run slowly on your computer. We recommend exceeding these requirements for best performance.

Show previous replies

AkinaLO

This article will help you troubleshoot the problem.

Corrupt Error Message

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thesusanest

The Real Solution:

Files saved before you have "signed in" are corrupt and can not be re-opened after closing. After installing the software, go to file and sign in, before you begin the process. It is not enough to sign into your account online, if you are using an installed product. This will not help recover a corrupt file but will prevent you from starting over 4 times, like I did. Still a test file is a good idea (start>save>close>reopen>hope).

jcox7483

Has anyone verified this? If this is true then it needs to be stickied somewhere. I doubt it's true although I don't doubt it worked for this user. In my case I know the files worked previously and it seems TT corrupted them after some patch.

This may be some portion of the issue but I don't think it's the entire situation. If it were TT would have simply told us to sign in before doing anything in this 3 year old thread of people with the same issue.

peasela2

I'm having the same problem with 2021 TT H&B even after I created a new file. It is only occurring on this one file. After I save and close it, I get the corrupt file error when I try to reopen it. Anyone has a solution. Please Help!

oresteez

So you created a new file. Did you then enter all your data from scratch, manually? Or did you use any of the import methods? I had an issue because I switched from TT online one year to the app. If I imported my tt online files, it eventually got corrupted. I had to enter all my data manually.

michelle6729

If your tax file is encrypted or password protected, you will get this error when trying to import to TurboTax online. Open the tax file in your desktop program. From the File menu select Password (windows) or Encrypt (MAC). Remove the password/encryption. Re- save your tax file without the password. Now you can upload it into TurboTax online.