Several problems can surface when you attempt to register QuickBooks Point of Sale (POS) on your computer. One of the most difficult issues that you might face is QuickBooks error 176109, which may also arise when opening the application. Here’s the error message that is likely to show up on your system’s screen:
“Error code 176109: Invalid Product Code or Invalid Product Number” |

Generally, this error code occurs due to multiple factors, such as faulty POS Entitlement folder files, invalid product code, and inadequate access permissions. The reassuring fact is that you can troubleshoot this issue quite effortlessly using various methods.
Alright, then, let’s go through the article to find out the main causes of this problem & explore the proven methods to resolve it.
If you want instant help to fix QuickBooks error 176109, dial +1-(855)-955-1942 to contact a QB professional.
Why Do You Run into the QuickBooks POS Error Code 176109?
Here are the main factors that give way to QuickBooks error 176109 on your computer:
- The corrupted or damaged QuickBooks Point of Sale Entitlement folder might hinder you from running the registration files.
- The product code used for the installation of Point of Sale is not correct.
- You might not have administrative rights on the computer you are using QuickBooks POS.
- Any glitch in the application or its configuration can also trigger this issue.
- Programs running in the background on your computer might consume system resources, eventually disrupting the POS registration process.
- Your system date & time settings might be invalid, which can lead to authentication problems.
Now that you are aware of the fundamental reasons behind this issue, let’s scroll down to the next section to discover some really crucial things that you must do before fixing it.
Pointers to Consider Before Fixing Error 176109 in QuickBooks
Here are some essential things that you should consider before initiating the troubleshooting process for QuickBooks error 176109:
- Make sure that you create a backup of your company file, before you troubleshoot the invalid product number in QuickBooks Point of Sale.
- Check for the latest update for the QuickBooks Point of Sale.
- Delete the entitlement folder from Windows. It might be hidden, so you need to change the Windows settings and allow it to show the hidden folders. Here’s how you can do so:
Steps to Show Hidden Files in Windows 7 and Windows Vista:
- Click on the Windows Start button and then select the My Computer option.
- After that, select the Folder and Search Options under the Organize tab.
- Now, under the View tab, you need to click on Show Hidden Files and Folders.
- Then, you need to unmark the Hide Protected System Operating Files option and hit Yes.
- Lastly, hit Apply, followed by the OK button.
Steps to Show Hidden Files in Windows 8 and 8.1:
- Press the Windows +E keys on the keyboard to open the Windows Explorer.
- Then, select the File Extension option under the View tab and click Hidden Items.
Steps to Show Hidden Files in Windows 10:
- First, you need to click on the Folder icon at the bottom of the screen in the System Tray.
- Then click on the Hidden Items option under the View tab.
Let’s now jump to the following section and implement different methods to fix this error.
3 Things You Can Do to Eliminate QuickBooks Error 176109
Here are some really great resolutions that you can utilize for QuickBooks error 176109. Ensure that you implement them in the exact order as shown below.
1. Delete All the Items Inside the Entitlement Folder
Sometimes the files inside the Entitlement Client folder can get damaged and then trigger different errors in QB and POS. To resolve these errors, you need to get rid of these files and recreate them on startup.
- Navigate to the C:\ Program Data \Intuit\ Entitlement Client\ v8 folder and then select all the items in the folder. You can press the Ctrl + A keys to select all the files inside the folder.
- Then, you need to press the Delete key and hit Yes.
- After that, you need to open and re-register on the QuickBooks POS again.
- If the QB POS 176109 invalid product code still appears on the screen, move on to the next solution.
2. Rename the WS Activity File
Sometimes, the damaged WS activity file may also lead to the QuickBooks Error 176109: Invalid product number. So, you need to rename the file such that QB won’t recognize the file and will create a new one for its operations.
- First, open the Windows Explorer and go to the C: \Program Data\ Intuit\ QuickBooks Point of Sale\ Ini folder.
- Then, click right on the WSActivity file and rename it to OLDWSActivity.
- After that, exit this window and then delete the Entitlement folder once again.
- Lastly, open the QuickBooks POS application and check if the 176109 invalid product code still appears.
3. Clean Install QuickBooks Point Of Sale
If the above methods do not help you sort the error 176109, then you have to reinstall QB Point of Sale. But be sure to back up your files before performing the clean installation.
Step I- Uninstall QuickBooks Point Of Sale
- Open the Control Panel and hit the Program and Features tab.
- Now, in the list of all the programs, choose the QuickBooks Point of Sale option.
- Next, hit the uninstall button and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the uninstallation process.
Step II- Rename the QB Point of Sale Folders
Here in this step, you need to add the word OLD at the folder’s end. It will help you prevent the QB Desktop application from recognizing the files and make a new one.
Step III- Reinstall QuickBooks Point Of Sale
Follow the complete steps to perform the POS installation process.
Step IV- Restore the Company Files
- Launch the QB Point of Sale and make a new company file.
- Then, you need to restore the created backup.
- Now, open the Point of Sale and check whether the issue is fixed or not.
- Lastly, re-register the QB Point of Sale.
Note: If you are a Winodws 10 user, you need to first delete the QBPOSDBSrvUSER Windows user and rectify QuickBooks POS’s invalid product number.
- Go to the Control Panel from the Start menu and browse to the User Accounts option.
- Then, choose the Manage Another Account option and hit the Continue tab in the user account window.
- Next, navigate the list and, look for and click the QBPOSDBSrvUSER option, and choose to Delete the account.
- Now, confirm that you have deleted the folder and rebooted your system to apply the changes that you made.
Essential Tips to Prevent QuickBooks Point Of Sale Errors
Here are some crucial tips that you can implement to successfully avoid QuickBooks Point of Sale Issues:
- Keep Software Updated: Always use the latest version of QuickBooks POS to avoid compatibility and performance issues.
- Maintain System Requirements: Ensure your hardware and operating system meet QuickBooks POS’s recommended specifications.
- Regularly Backup Data: Schedule automatic backups to prevent data loss in case of errors or crashes.
- Manage Storage Space: Ensure there’s enough free disk space on your system to avoid slow performance and unexpected errors.
- Update Windows and Drivers: Keep your operating system and device drivers up to date to avoid compatibility errors.
- Verify Firewall Settings: Configure firewall and antivirus settings to allow QuickBooks POS to function without interference.
Winding Up
In this detailed blog, we have discussed different solutions for QuickBooks error 176109. Hopefully, you can now easily register & open QuickBooks Point of Sale on your computer. If, however, you continue to encounter problems or have a query, you can contact a QB expert for instant guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the common factors that give way to QuickBooks error 176109 on your computer:
1. Damaged or Missing POS Entitlement Folder Files: QuickBooks can’t verify your license information if the files in the POS Entitlement folder are corrupted or missing.
2. Incorrect Product Code: Entering an incorrect or mismatched product code during installation causes licensing issues.
3. Using QB POS Without Admin Rights: Lack of proper administrative permissions can prevent QuickBooks from accessing licensing data.
4. Corrupted QuickBooks POS Installation: A damaged or incomplete QuickBooks POS installation can lead to activation & registration issues.
5. File Access Issues: Restricted or blocked access to program files and folders can interfere with license validation.
Here are different things you can do to eliminate QuickBooks error 176109:
1. Delete Entitlement Folder Files: Navigate to the Entitlement Client folder and delete all the files to reset license verification on startup.
2. Run QuickBooks as Administrator: Right-click the QuickBooks POS icon and select “Run as Administrator” to ensure proper permissions.
3. Verify Product Code: Check that the product code entered matches the one provided with your QuickBooks POS software.
4. Reinstall QuickBooks POS: Uninstall and reinstall QuickBooks Point of Sale to fix corrupted installation files.
5. Check Folder Permissions: Ensure the QuickBooks POS program folder has full control and proper read/write access.
Yes, damaged system files can lead to QuickBooks POS error 176109. Corrupted Windows system files interfere with the software’s ability to read license data and verify product information, eventually triggering the 176109 error code. To overcome this issue, you can run the System File Checker tool.