Suppose you install the QuickBooks Desktop and try to set it up, or are just trying to re-register it. You can easily do that by just entering the correct product information. However, sometimes while trying to register for the software, you might encounter a QuickBooks registration error. You may see some common registration error messages, such as:
| “Error: The validation code is incorrect or the service is temporarily unavailable when activating.” |
| “Message: You cannot use Online Banking because QuickBooks is not registered.” |
| “You must subscribe to the accountant’s copy file transfer service.” |
It is important to resolve these errors in your QuickBooks Desktop to complete the QuickBooks setup. Therefore, we have created this troubleshooting guide, which will provide you with the significant causes of this problem. Moreover, it will discuss the proven methods to overcome this issue.
Finally, we will conclude the blog with some healthy practices to prevent errors in your QB application.
If you’re experiencing technical difficulties while troubleshooting QuickBooks registration errors, let our professionals handle your tech troubles. Call us at +1-(855)-955-1942 now to speak with a certified QB expert and resolve your issue quickly.
Potential Reasons Behind QuickBooks Error During Registration
Various reasons can cause the QuickBooks registration error, which needs to be understood to prevent these types of issues in the future. Therefore, we have outlined the most significant causes behind this issue below:
- Slow or unstable internet connection
- Inability of QuickBooks to verify the product registration information
- Incompatibility between the system and the QuickBooks version
- Ensure to enter the accurate product code and the license number while registering the QB Desktop
- Wrong date and time settings on the system
- Faulty or damaged Microsoft XML Core (MSXML)
- Wrong license number
Learning these reasons will help you protect your software from these types of errors from arising again. After understanding the reasons behind the registration errors, let’s follow the troubleshooting methods to resolve this issue.
Key Points to Consider Before Fixing QuickBooks Product Registration Error
Before trying any troubleshooting methods to overcome the QuickBooks registration error, you should consider some essential points outlined below:
- Ensure that you close all QB and third-party applications open in the background processes from the taskbar. Besides, register the QB Desktop once again
- You should verify that the date and time on the system are correct, and if not, then you should set the correct date and time settings
- Cross-verify whether the product code and license number you are entering are accurate as per the product information you have received
- You should register the QuickBooks Desktop as an admin user
Once done, ensure these healthy practices; if you are still facing the same issue, then you should follow the next possible methods outlined to resolve this error.
Proven Ways to Resolve QuickBooks Registration Error
Method 1: Run Quick Fix My Program from the QuickBooks Tool Hub
There could be an issue in your QuickBooks program file, which can hinder the registration process. In such a case, you should run the Quick Fix My Program to repair the QB program. However, to utilize this tool, you should have the QuickBooks Tool Hub installed on your computer. After ensuring that, follow the further steps to run the Quick Fix My Program tool.
- Open the QB Tool Hub
- Next, click on the Program Problems tab
- Next, choose the Quick Fix My Program
Once the tool completes the running procedure, restart the QB Desktop to verify that you can log in. However, if you are still facing the same issue, then you should consider following the next possible method.
Method 2: Utilize the 3371 Error Fix Tool from the Tool Hub
Running the 3371 Error Fix tool can help you fix the installation issues in QuickBooks. To implement this method, you should follow the steps given below:
- Close QuickBooks and other third-party applications running in the background
- Next, open the QB Tool Hub and select the Installation Issues tab
- Now, choose the 3371 Error Fix and then click on OK
It will start to repair the possible installation issues. Once it completes running, open the QB Desktop again and check whether the registration error is solved or not. Still facing the same issue? Follow the next possible method.
Method 3: Run the QuickBooks Diagnostic Tool
If there is something missing while installing QuickBooks, you should run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to fix the common installation issues by following the instructions below:
- Access the QB Tool Hub and select the Installation Issues
- Next, choose the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
- Here, you need to wait because this tool will take up to 20 minutes to start
Once the tool finishes the resolving process, you should restart your system, start the QB Desktop, and check whether the issue is solved. If you are still seeing the same error message, then you should follow the next possible method.
Method 4: Restore the Windows Firewall Settings
Sometimes, the firewall security settings could prevent you from registering for the QuickBooks Desktop. In such a scenario, you should configure the Windows Firewall security settings to continue working without any interruptions.
Once the configuration process is completed, check whether the process is completed or not. If the same error persists, you should follow the next possible method.
Method 5: Reactivate the MSXML on Your Computer
Faulty or inactive MSXML on the computer can prevent you from registering for the QB application. To fix this issue, you need to follow the next instructions to reactivate the MSXML file.
For the 64-bit system:
- Access the Start menu and then type cmd
- After browsing the CMD, right-click on it to open
- Enter cdwindowssyswow64 at the C: prompt and then press Enter
- Now, enter regsvr32 MSXML4.dll, and hit Enter on the keyboard
- Lastly, enter regsver32 MSXML6.dll and press Enter on the keyboard
For the 32-bit system:
- To access the Run window, hit Windows + R on your keyboard
- Next, type cmd, and then press Enter
- Now, enter regsver32 MSXML4.dll and hit the Enter
- End the process by entering the regsvr32 MSXML6.dll and then hit Enter on the keyboard
Once done reactivating the MSXML on your system, check again if you are able to register in the QB Desktop. Still can’t resolve this QuickBooks error, so follow the next possible method.
Method 6: Grant the Admin Rights to the User Account
You should assign the administrative rights to the User Account by following the upcoming instructions:
- Tap on the Windows icon and navigate to the Settings of the system from the Control Panel
- Next, choose the Family and Other Users from under the Accounts
- Now, you need to choose the user that you wish to assign the administrative rights to
- Then, tap on Change Account Type and select Administrator from the Account Type Section
Once done, check whether the QuickBooks registration error is resolved. If the issue still persists, follow the next possible method.
Method 7: Remove the Data Entitlement Store File from the System
The entitlement file stores product information, including QB Desktop license details, to verify product validity. However, if these files become corrupted, it can prevent you from registering in QB Desktop. In such a case, you should delete the entitlement file by following the method outlined below:
- Start by typing in the Windows search bar and opening Run
- Next, type C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8 and then press Enter. In a scenario where you are unable to open a folder, type C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v6 instead
Important: However, if you can’t find the V6 or V8 folder, access the Windows file explorer and head to C:, ProgramData, Intuit, and then Entitlement Client. Ensure that Hidden items are checked in the file explorer.
- Locate the EntititlementDataStore.ecml and then right-click on it
- Next, select Delete, followed by Yes to confirm the changes
Once done, open the QuickBooks Desktop and your company file. Now, you will be able to register in the QB application by following the further on-screen instructions. However, if you still can’t register, then follow the next outlined solutions.
Method 8: Verify the Date and Time Settings on the System
The date and time on the system should be correct as per the time zone of your location. To check and fix the date and time settings, you should follow the steps given below:
- Start by closing the QuickBooks Desktop
- Next, right-tap the time display on the Windows taskbar and then select Adjust Date/Time
Here, you should verify that the data and time displayed on the system are accurate. If you find out that it is incorrect, follow the upcoming instructions to fix it.
- Choose the Date & Time tab, followed by setting the date for the present year
- Now, select Apply, and then OK
Once the above instructions are carried out, open the QB Desktop and navigate to the Help tab. Next, choose the Activate QuickBooks option, followed by the Begin Registration. However, if you are still facing the QuickBooks registration error, then you need to follow the next possible solution.
Method 9: Manage the QuickBooks License Information
To manage the QB Desktop license, first, you need to find its license number. For that, log in to your Customer Account Maintenance Portal (CAMPS). Locate the license number and product number. Once you have found your product number, follow the steps outlined below to activate QuickBooks again.
- Navigate to the Help, followed by Manage my license, and then Change my license number
- Next, enter your license number as all 0s and choose the Next option
- Remember not to enter a validation code and then choose Finish
- Head to the Help tab, followed by Manage my license, and then Change my license number
- Lastly, fill in your License number, followed by selecting Next, and then Finish
However, if you still can’t fix license validation and registration errors in QuickBooks Desktop, you should follow the next proven solution to troubleshoot this issue.
Method 10: Clean Install Your QuickBooks Desktop
Even after trying the above methods, if you are still unable to register in the QuickBooks Desktop, then you should clean install the QuickBooks to reinstall its error-free version.
Once done, check again whether the problem is resolved or not. Hopefully, now, you will be able to register in QuickBooks easily in the newly reinstalled version.
Manually Activate the QuickBooks Desktop if the Validation Code Window Doesn’t Appear
If the issue is that the QB isn’t asking to enter your validation code, and that’s why you are unable to register in the QuickBooks Desktop, then you need to follow the upcoming solutions.
Solution 1: Manually Activate the QuickBooks Desktop
You should follow the next instructions to manually activate the QuickBooks application:
- Start by opening the QB Desktop
- Next, hit Ctrl + P on the keyboard to open a manual activation window
- Lastly, enter the validation code
If you are still unable to enter your validation code, then you should follow the next solution below.
Solution 2: Manage the QuickBooks Product license
Follow the instructions below to manage your license key manually to enter it for QB registration.
- Navigate to the Help menu in QB Desktop
- Next, click on Manage my license, followed by Change my license number
- Now, fill the license number with all 0s
- Here, you should not enter the validation code and then select Finish
- Head to the Help menu again and select the Manage my license, followed by Change my license number
- Lastly, you should enter the license number and remember to select Finish when you get prompted to enter the validation code
Carrying out the above procedure will help you resolve the QuickBooks registration error.
We hope that carrying out the above method will help you troubleshoot the various registration errors in the QuickBooks Desktop. Now, let’s wrap up this detailed post with a quick view, which will provide you with a proper insight into the different technical aspects of the issue, such as its causes and reasons.
Quick View About the QuickBooks Registration File Error
The quick view table below will show the condensed version of the information provided in the blog about the QuickBooks registration error.
| Common reasons for QuickBooks registration error | Unstable internet connection, can’t validate the QB Desktop, incompatibility between system and software, incorrect product code, incorrect date and time, faulty MSXML Core, and wrong license number are some common causes behind this issue. |
| Top ways to fix this registration error in QB Desktop | Running Quick Fix My Program, using the 3371 Error Fix tool, running the QB Diagnostic Tool, restoring the Windows Firewall settings, reactivating MSXML, assigning the admin rights to another user, deleting the Entitlement Data file, verifying the date & time, managing the QB license information, and clean installing the QB app can fix this type of registration error. |
Conclusion
This detailed post has mentioned all about the QuickBooks registration error. It has outlined the most significant causes behind this issue that will help you prevent this problem in the future. Moreover, it has simplified the implementation of the top ways to overcome this issue.
However, if you are encountering technical difficulties while resolving this registration error in the QB Desktop, don’t worry—our expert team is here to help. Dial our +1-(855)-955-1942 to connect with a QuickBooks professional today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. To troubleshoot the QuickBooks product registration error, first, you should check whether there is any issue with the installation file by running the QuickBooks install diagnostic tool. If this doesn’t work, then verify you are entering the correct registration information. You can also try to verify if the date and time are correct on the system; if they are not, then fix them.
A. To register in QuickBooks Desktop, you should follow the instructions given below:
a. Open the QB Desktop
b. Select Register QuickBooks from the QuickBooks menu
c. Here, you need to enter the License and Product information, and choose Next
Now, there are two ways to register in QuickBooks: first, where you can register the QB with a validation code on the phone, and the second one, where you need to register via the online site.
A. To find the QuickBooks Desktop registration, you need to follow the steps given below:
a. Start by opening the QuickBooks Desktop
b. Next, hit the F2 key
c. Find your product name, number, and license number from the Product Information window
d. Locate the release at the end of the product name
e. Next, find your version in the Version Used on File section
With the help of the above outlined procedure, you can easily find the information about the QB Desktop.
