When activating or opening QuickBooks Desktop, you can sometimes encounter various errors. One of the most common error codes that you can face is QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118. Here’s the error message that you are likely to see on the screen:
| “Could not initialize license properties. [Error 3371, Status Code -11118] QuickBooks could not load the license data. This may be caused by missing or damaged files” |
In some cases, you can encounter the following error messages on the screen:
| “Could not initialize license properties. Error 3371: QuickBooks could not load the license data. This may be caused by missing or damaged files” |
| “Could not initialize license properties. [Error: 3371, Status Code -1] QuickBooks could not load the license data. This may be caused by missing or damaged files” |
Whenever this error occurs, you can experience multiple issues, such as frequent freezing of the computer and unresponsive third-party apps. Sometimes, this error code can affect your payroll service data as well. The good thing is that you can seamlessly fix this problem using different methods.
Alright, then, let’s explore the article to know why we face this error code and how we can eliminate it using various techniques.
Why Do You Encounter the 3371 Error Code in QB Desktop?
Here are the prominent reasons why you might run into QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118:
- Corruption in the QBregistration.dat file won’t allow the validation of the QB Desktop license info, and thus, you might fail to open the software.
- Faults in the Microsoft MSXML component can hinder the retrieval of QB license data from the QBregistration.dat file, causing various errors.
- An obsolete Windows version installed on your system can become incompatible with QuickBooks, and thus, you might face various difficulties when accessing the software.
- Another cause of this error code is the damage in the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file.
- Interference by third-party security apps, such as antivirus software, can cause failure when accessing various installed programs, including QuickBooks.
- Restrictive settings of User Account Control (UAC) can prevent QB from seamlessly opening on your system.
- Junk files present in your computer can slow down access to various installed apps, including QB Desktop.
- If you haven’t installed QB properly on your computer, you are likely to face this error code.
- Damaged company files can trigger multiple issues when you open QB for various tasks.
- Now that you are completely aware of the different factors behind this problem, let’s navigate to the following section to discover how to resolve it.
10 Ways to Eliminate QuickBooks Error 3371 Status Code 11118
Here are the detailed resolutions that you need to implement whenever you face QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118. Ensure that you utilize these troubleshooting methods in the precise order indicated below.
1. Run the 3371 Error Fix Utility
The 3371 Error Fix is a specialized tool developed by Intuit to help users fix the 3371 error code in QuickBooks. Once you run this utility, you will be able to effortlessly activate & open QB Desktop. Here’s what you need to do:
- Firstly, you must install QuickBooks Tool Hub on your computer.
- Identify the QB Tool Hub icon on Windows Desktop and double-click it.
- Move to the Installation Issues tab, and after that, click the 3371 Error Fix option.
- Tap OK and wait until the 3371 Error Fix tool runs on your computer.
- Once done, you can effectively activate and open QB Desktop on the system.
If you are still getting the 3371 error in QuickBooks, try installing the Windows updates on your computer as described below.
2. Download & Install the Latest Windows Updates
If you have not updated Windows on your computer, the QB Desktop might not remain accessible. This is because QB can become incompatible with the older Windows version. Once you install the newest Windows updates, you can seamlessly open QuickBooks Desktop on your computer & complete different projects.
If, however, you still face QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118, consider repairing the QBregistration.dat file as explained below.
3. Repair the QBregistration.dat File to Fix QuickBooks Error 3371 Status Code 11118
The license info of QB Desktop is stored in the QBregistration.dat file. Any damage in this file will trigger the 3371 error message when activating or opening QB. You should rename this file and, after that, allow QuickBooks to recreate it. Here’s how you can do so:
- First & foremost, you need to go to the following location on your system: C:\ProgramData\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
- At this point, identify the QBregistration.dat file and right-click its icon.
- Choose Rename and add a new word to the file’s name as per the following example: QBregistration.oldtech
- Tap Enter to save the new name of the file, and after that, you should open QB Desktop.
- Follow all the on-screen steps to re-register the software and seamlessly recreate the license data file.
- Finally, you can access QB Desktop to finish all your projects.
Do you still encounter QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118? If that’s the case, try using the following resolution.
4. Fix the EntitlementDataStore.ecml File On Your System
The EntitlementDataStore.ecml file holds the crucial license & product registration data of your QuickBooks application. Damage in this file can hinder you from launching QB Desktop. You should delete this file and, after that, re-register the software. Here’s what you need to do:
- Firstly, press Windows + R to bring up the Run window on the screen.
- Go to the Run window and type the C:\ProgramData\Intuit\EntitlementClient\v8 command.
- Hit Enter and move to the Windows Explorer window with the above address.
- Select the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file and tap the Delete key.
- At this point, you should run QuickBooks and follow all the steps to re-register the software.
- Finally, you can access QB and start working on all your projects.
If you continue to get QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118, consider repairing the Microsoft MSXML component as detailed below.
5. Repair the Microsoft MSXML Component
The Microsoft MSXML component allows QB Desktop to store data in XML format. If this component is corrupted, you might be unable to activate or open QuickBooks. Once you repair this component, you can seamlessly access the software. Here’s what you need to do:
- Firstly, bring up the Run window on the screen by tapping the Windows + R keys.
- You need to type CMD in the Run window and tap OK. After that, jump to the Command Prompt window displayed on the screen.
- At this point, type the following two commands: cd\windows\syswow64 and regsvr32 MSXML6.dll
Note: You should type the cd\windows\syswow64 command only if you have a 64-bit operating system.
- Tap Enter, and after that, you should be able to finish the QuickBooks activation process.
Do you still run into QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118? If so, try deleting system junk files, as elaborated below.
6. Remove All the System Junk Files
The junk files stored in the C: drive of your computer might slow down access to various installed programs, including QuickBooks. Consequently, you may not be able to open or activate QB. Deleting the temporary files from your system will enable you to run QB Desktop seamlessly. Here’s how to do so:
- Firstly, you should access the Start menu and type Disk Cleanup in the search bar.
- Identify and select the Disk Cleanup icon and move to the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection window.
- Choose the C: drive option and tap OK. After that, you need to go to the Disk Cleanup For OSDisk (C:) window.
- At this point, mark the checkboxes for different temporary files, viz. Temporary Internet Files, Downloaded Program Files, and Recycle Bin.
- Tap OK and wait until all the selected files are erased.
- Finally, restart your computer and activate QB Desktop.
If you still run into QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118, try fixing the Microsoft .NET Framework component as mentioned below.
7. Repair the Microsoft .NET Framework Component
Various core features and functionalities of QB Desktop require the Microsoft .NET Framework component. Any damage in this component will trigger the 3371 activation error code in QuickBooks. Repairing this component will allow you to effectively activate & open QB. Here’s what you must do:
- Firstly, open the Start menu on Windows Desktop and click the Control Panel icon.
- Jump to the Control Panel window and select the Programs and Features tab.
- Click Uninstall a Program and choose the Turn Windows Features On or Off option.
- Locate the .NET Framework 4.5 checkbox and mark it if it is unmarked. On the other hand, if you find that the .NET Framework 4.5 checkbox is already marked, you must clear it.
- Tap OK and reboot your computer. After that, move to the Control Panel and mark the .NET Framework 4.5 checkbox.
- You have now repaired the .NET Framework 4.5 component. In a similar way, you can repair .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, 4.6, 4.7, and 4.8.
- Finally, you can start activating and using QB Desktop for various tasks.
Do you still get QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118? If so, consider turning off the UAC on the system, as detailed below.
8. Switch Off the User Account Control (UAC) On Your Computer
The main purpose of UAC is to improve system security. Sometimes, however, the UAC feature can hinder you from effortlessly activating or opening QB Desktop. This is because the UAC feature starts perceiving QuickBooks as a threat to system security. To fix this issue, you can simply turn off the UAC feature. Here’s how to do so:
- Firstly, launch the Start menu and choose the Control Panel icon.
- Navigate to the Control Panel window and click User Accounts.
- Tap the User Accounts (Classic View) tab, and after that, you must choose the Change User Account Control Settings option.
- Select the slider and move it to the Never Notify option on the window.
- At this point, tap OK to switch off the UAC feature and restart your computer.
- Finally, you can open QuickBooks and start working on your projects.
If you still encounter the QuickBooks error message 3371, try utilizing the next troubleshooting hack.
9. Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
One of the major causes of the 3371 error in QB Desktop is the inaccurate software installation on the computer. Fortunately, you can seamlessly resolve different installation problems by running the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. This troubleshooting utility is available in QB Tool Hub, and after running it, you can effectively activate and open QuickBooks Desktop.
If, however, you still run into QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118, consider reinstalling the software as elaborated below.
10. Reinstall the QuickBooks Desktop Application On the System
Reinstalling QB Desktop will eliminate damaged files and guarantee a complete & proper setup on your system. You will be able to easily activate and utilize the newly installed QuickBooks application. Here’s what you need to do:
- First & foremost, you need to tap the Start menu and click the Control Panel icon.
- Jump to Programs and Features in the Control Panel and click Uninstall a Program.
- View the list of installed programs and choose the QuickBooks version that you need to remove.
- Click Uninstall/Change, and after that, you have to tap the Remove option.
- Tap Next and wait until the uninstallation process of QB is finished.
- At this point, you should download the newest QuickBooks version on your system.
- Access the download file (QuickBooks.exe), and you must choose the Express Install option.
- Click Next and follow all the on-screen instructions. You should type the product and license numbers for your QuickBooks version.
- Tap Install and wait until you have completed the QuickBooks Desktop installation.
Finally, you can open QuickBooks Desktop and start working on different projects.
Conclusion
In this exhaustive guide, we walked you through several solutions for QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118. Hopefully, you can now seamlessly activate and open QB Desktop on your computer. If, however, you are still facing this error code or have a query, you can connect with an experienced QB professional for real-time guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can encounter QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118 due to multiple reasons, such as damaged Microsoft components (MSXML and .NET Framework), faulty software installation, outdated Windows, and the corrupted EntitlementDataStore.ecml file. Additionally, restrictive UAC (User Account Control) settings might prevent you from accessing QuickBooks on your computer.
To effortlessly fix QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118, you can do the following:
a. Repair various Microsoft components (MSXML and .NET Framework) on your system.
b. Download and install the latest Windows updates.
c. Erase all the system junk files.
d. Turn off the UAC feature on your computer.
e. Fix installation problems using the QB Install Diagnostic Tool.
f. Repair the QBregistration.dat file.
You can implement the following steps to prevent the occurrence of QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118:
a. Regularly install the latest Windows updates on your system.
b. Repair various Microsoft components (MSXML and .NET Framework) on the computer.
c. Scan and repair your company data using QuickBooks File Doctor.
d. Run antimalware scans on your system.
e. Erase temporary files from the computer.
