QB2022 Activation failes without error

Thank you for posting here in the Community, @BetsySal. I'll share some insights about activating QuickBooks Desktop 2022.

To begin, could you tell me where you purchased your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) 2022? So we can go over everything again and figure out how to activate and use QuickBooks?

I recommend visiting these websites for more information on how to download and install QBDT:

• Install QuickBooks Desktop
• Downloads & Updates

Furthermore, I would suggest contacting our Support Team during business hours. A live agent can then securely check your account. To contact customer service, please use the following information:

1. Open this link: https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact.
2. Click on QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Set the product and edition.
4. Enter your question, then click on Continue.
5. Choose a way to connect with Support.

I also recommend that you browse the themes from our help articles for future tips when working with QuickBooks.

If you need additional help activating QuickBooks Desktop, you can notify me by adding a comment below. I'm always here to help. Have a good one.

Initial purchase was downloaded.  Then a new version was purchased from BestBuy. I'm working on this for my customer. They had Quickbooks tech on remotely and they couldn't figure this out. We're trying to upgrade 2019 to 2022, before 2019 loses support.  But even though the install of 2022 looks good and complete, it never opens.  We activate at initial install and all looks good.  But when we open qbdata it prompts to activate again and just loops into that. They've turned to me for resolution, but I'm getting no where.  Am running anti-virus scans right now, ran sfc which found the normal corruptions. I have remote access and can let anyone in the assist. We're Eastern Standard Time. Their office is closed right now while I work on this. Spent an hour + today on this while taking time from the user.

Thanks

~Betsy

@BetsySal 

Consider to install the trial version for QBD 2021 to isolate the issue.

Would be happy to try this.  Where can I get this, trial QB 2021?  We only see 2022 available.  We're using QB Desktop Pro 2019 right now. Just need to upgrade to something supported by May...

Thanks

~Betsy

Contact us in private and we may share the trial code.

You try me please.  I'm not sure how to reach you in private. [email address removed] is me. I'll need software as well as key for 2021.

Thanks

~Betsy

See my e-mail was removed.  Not sure how to contact in private.

Click our username and you can send a private message to us.

Hi there, BetsySal.

I appreciate you for coming back to the thread to add about what you've done to fix the activation issue. Let me share additional troubleshooting steps to ensure you can resolve the activation issue and install the QuickBooks Desktop efficiently.

I recommend running the repair tool for QuickBooks Desktop. This tool can help fix common errors that can affect the performance of the software like keep getting an activation prompt. To start with, download the QuickBooks Tool Hub and you'll need to close QuickBooks to use this tool. Please know that we recommend you use Tool Hub on Windows 10, 64-bit for the best experience.

Here's how:

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Download the most recent version (1.5.0.0) of the QuickBooks Tool Hub. Save the file somewhere you can easily find it (like your Downloads folder or your Windows desktop). 
3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
5. When the install finishes, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the tool hub.

For additional information, you can click on this article: Repair your QuickBooks Desktop for Windows.

If you get the same result, I suggest opening this article to view various instructions on how to fix errors when you enter your product and license numbers or your activation code in QBDT: Fix activation, license, and product numbers errors.

If the issue continues to occur, I suggest contacting our QuickBooks Desktop Support again. They have the tools to pull up your account in a secure environment. Then, verify if the product information matches what you have. They can also help you get to a resolution quickly to register QuickBooks. Additionally, the activation process has a limit to prevent the license number from being simply copied and placed on a different computer. With this, only our support can verify if the license is used with the owner.

Additionally,  we removed your email address to keep you safe from scam email and to prevent your credentials from being used in any unauthorized businesses.

Lastly, I'm adding this article to further guide you in effectively managing your business using QBDT: Help guide for QuickBooks Desktop. It contains topics about advanced accounting, banking, and different troubleshooting steps to resolve unusual issues.

Let me know if there's anything else you need help with managing your QuickBooks Desktop. I'm always here to help you anytime. Take care and keep safe!

I've run the tool as well.  I've tried everything and have spent much time at Intuit looking for a solution.  My hands are tied at this point.  Someone suggested trying the trial of 2021.  I'd love to try that. But need the link to download and a key. I've reached someone privately and now they suggest trying Enterprise trial.  Maybe we'll try that.  Guess it can't hurt.

On my last attempt to install clean new version of 2022, attached is the latest message.  I can't even run the autorun. That fails as well and that screenshot is attached.

Thanks

~Betsy

Hello there, BetsySal.

I appreciate you performing some steps to fix the issue. I'm here to help you activate QuickBooks Desktop.

Since you’re unable to run the clean install, we’ll have to uninstall QuickBooks Desktop and rename the installation files. This process repairs damaged files or components in the program.

Before proceeding, ensure to download the installer for your QuickBooks and a copy of the license number. You’ll need them in the installation process. Aside from that, create a backup copy of the company file to keep a record of your transactions. When you're ready, let’s uninstall the software. Here’s how: 

1. Uninstall QuickBooks
2. Follow the steps to display hidden files.
3. Open the Windows Start menu. Search for “File Explorer”, then open File Explorer.
4. Find and open the folder that holds your QuickBooks company files. This is usually your QuickBooks folder. It's usually in one of these locations:
   • C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
   • C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
   • C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
   • 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
5. Right-click the folder and choose Rename.
6. Add the word "old" at the end of the folder name. This prevents QuickBooks from opening it when you reinstall.
7. Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop.

For detailed instructions, follow the recommended steps in this article: Clean install QuickBooks Desktop.

I'm also adding an article that lists all features and improvements in QuickBooks: What’s new in QuickBooks Desktop 2022

Please let me know if you need further assistance in activating QuickBooks. I’m always here to help. Take care!

At this point there is no version 2022 installed.  I'm very reluctant to uninstall the 2019, which is still working.  I'm fearful this will put them dead in the water. I've never had to uninstall old to get new installed. 

Others are suggesting to try a different year/version to see if that works.  Since you're an employee of Intuit, can you provide us with info needed to do this?  Maybe 2021 to try.

Thanks

~Betsy

I will definitely try this and look for other instances of this attempted install.  This has been an issue since March.  They tried installing themselves.  When Quickbooks tech support failed in their efforts to resolve, they then contacted me.  I'm their regular Network IT support.  My initial attempt to install failed.  I got so frustrated, I turned away and told them I'd be back on this before the expected retirement of this version.  So here we go again.  Nothing has changed, nothing is working.

I've now got more things to try, thanks to the community.  Will keep on those and see what happens.

Thanks

~Betsy

Hi there, Betsy. Allow me to chime in and share additional information.

It would be a great idea to try on a different trial version. However, the only available trial we have is for the recent version. You may search online for the older.

Furthermore, you can check out this article if ever you stumble into any installation issues: Fix QBDT install errors.

We'd greatly appreciate it if you could provide us some updates after trying out the steps above. QuickBooks will always have your back, @BetsySal.

We found a 2021 version.  It installed, but uninstalled the working 2019 and won't run either.  Attached is the error message from 2021.  I'm now suggesting the user get QB tech on the phone.  This is an issue with QB. My gut says there's a random QB file that lingers and is preventing anything but 2019 to run.  And now 2019 is gone, so she's dead in the water. 

Thanks for your input.  It's all appreciated.

~Betsy

Don't remove your QB Desktop 2019 when installing any newer version. You will run multi QB Desktop version at the same time to compare something to isolate any issue. Now you have to reinstall QB Desktop 2019.

While installing the 2021 it automatically uninstalled 2019. This is what the user is telling me. I'm working with her over the phone and e-mail right now only. I wasn't there for the install of 2021.

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@BetsySal wrote:

While installing the 2021 it automatically uninstalled 2019. This is what the user is telling me. I'm working with her over the phone and e-mail right now only. I wasn't there for the install of 2021.

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The installation wizard will give you the option to keep your old version. If you are unable to assist them remotely, you should ask them to contact us in private.

It's already done.  If it offered her the option to uninstall old, she chose that route. Now it's a matter of getting the 2021 to work.

@BetsySal, you could have deleted the entitlement of qb22. See solution 2: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/reinstall-products/fix-license-valida...

Have run this multiple times on all installs.  Never changes anything.

Thanks

~Betsy

Dang.. call customer service and tell the rep you need qb to run your business. Ask supervisor if the rep can't resolve

I have same thing on a 2021 version. Keeps looping and no resolution following uninstall, reinstall, run update, run repairs.

Hello there, @SDDSC.

Thanks for joining the conversation.  I'll make sure this gets sorted out.

I've checked our records if there's an ongoing investigation about this, but there isn't currently one. Since you mentioned you've followed the recommended steps above and nothing have worked still, I'd recommend contacting our Customer Care Support this time. This way, they'll be able to check if there's a reason behind this unusual behavior. Also, they have the necessary tools to look at your account securely, if needed.

Here's how you can contact support:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to Help, then select Contact us.
3. Give a brief description of your issue, then select Continue.
4. Sign in to your Intuit account and select Continue and then Continue with my account. 
5. We'll email you a single-use code. Enter your code and select Continue.
6. Select either chat with us or Have us call you.

I'll also add this article for more information on the newest release of QuickBooks 2021 and how you can use them to benefit your business: What's new in QuickBooks 2021.

Should you need any additional assistance with regard to accessing to QuickBooks account, just hit the reply button below. Take care.