how to resolve error message: Quickbooks has reached the maximum number of unregistered hours

Which QB Desktop year version do you have?

QuickBooks desktop Enterprise solution non profit version 22.0

Hi there, virgo.

Let's make sure to sort this out so you can go back to working in your company file. 

This error would show up if your QuickBooks license has been unregistered for more than 30 days of using it. When that happens, the system will lock the company file to make sure that the one using the it is an authorized user of the license.

Let me share these steps on how to register your software:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to the Help menu, then select Activate QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Follow the steps on the screen to verify your info.

You can also read more details about this here: 

• Activate QuickBooks Desktop for Windows
• Register QuickBooks Desktop Using Your Intuit Account

 Allow me to share these articles as well in case you need more guidance and information when activating or registering your license: 

• Fix Subscription Has Lapsed Error in QuickBooks Desktop
• Fix Error: Verify Your Subscription Before Installing QuickBooks Desktop

The Community is always here if you need anything else.  

I have done this and it did not clear the error message, hence i cannot login yet

@virgo 

Login to your CAMPS and make sure your license status is Active.

Thanks for getting back to us with updates, virgo.

In this case, I would recommend reaching out to our phone or chat support team. They can take a closer look at your account and help you make sure that you're able to register your license.

Here's how:

1. Go to this link and select QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Click Continue and choose Enterprise, then type in a short description of your concern.
3. Select Continue once again and log in to your Intuit account.
4. Choose between Chat with us or Have us call you.

There's also a phone number at the bottom part of this article: Contact QuickBooks Desktop Support.

The Community is always here if you need anything else. 

I'm happy to see that you were able to connect with support to get this issue resolved, @virgo. 

Any time you need a hand, feel free to let us know. Take care, and have a wonderful day! 

The error message reads slightly differently in 2025..."QuickBooks has reached the maximum number of unregistered USES. To continue using QuickBooks you must register now.

When I quick on "Register Now", the next screen has a button "Begin Activation" and the next screen says "Contact support to complete activation". I called 3 times and nobody could help me. They told me to contact the third party seller but I only have an email and there's been no response to my request for help for 36 hours. My situation is probably a bit unique:

I purchased Quickbooks Desktop Pro 2024 OEM from a third party seller in late December 2023 because my previous version (2016) was getting very slow - a lot of data. A couple of days ago, I decided to do a clean re-installation of Windows to speed up my desktop computer. I have a valid license number and product number that enabled me to redownload the program after the Windows reinstallation. So the program is ready to use. It just needs to be activated.

At first, I thought "unregistered uses" referred to how many computers. I only have it loaded on my laptop and my desktop. I think I am allowed 3. I'm a sole proprietor. I'm the only user. The laptop screen is tiny and not efficient for a 65 year person whose eyesight isn't as good as it used to be.

Can you help me activate my QB? thank you

@jodanfan 

Who is the third party seller you mentioned?

Can you login to CAMPS and find your license code there?

https://camps.intuit.com

Sorry I did not make myself clear. I have the 15 digit license number and 6 digit product number. (Also - it says I have 3 User Licenses). I've already downloaded the program but can't use it other than the Help menu. So far Quickbooks support has said they can't help me.  I just need to activate it before I can restore my data from a thumb drive. The only information I have on the seller is an email: [email address removed] and possibly a Paypal account number (see attached screenshot image of my receipt).

[Removed screenshot]

SIAB - thank you for your reply. Do you see my reply above?

Let's get you back on track, jordanfan. I can provide you with steps to activate QuickBooks on your desktop computer.

We can manually activate QuickBooks on your computer. Please follow these steps:
 

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. From Help, select Activate QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Follow the steps on the screen to verify your info.

If you encounter any issues during the activation process, please refer to the attached link, which provides detailed guidance in resolving activation, license, and product number issues: Fix activation, license, and product numbers issues.

Additionally, I've included this article that you may find helpful in the future. This outlines how to update your QuickBooks license and product info: Change a QuickBooks Desktop license number or product code.

If you have more questions about QuickBooks activation or need additional assistance, please reply to this thread. We are here to help you.

@jodanfan 

I am sure you have been scammed. You can check this blog for more information.

https://www.fiatlux.co.id/single-post/quickbooks-desktop-after-september-2024-what-next

You should contact Fiat Lux to fix your problem. You can purchase a new license or switch to the old QB Desktop with a non-subscription license.

Thomas, thanks for your help but I don't have an Activation Code after reading through the linked article you posted. I changed the license number to zeroes and then back, but still back to the "unregistered uses" error. Any other ideas greatly appreciated.

SIAB - no scam, the product worked fine for a year and a half. I still have it on my laptop, but want it back on my desktop.

SIAB - no scam, the product worked fine for a year and a half. I still have it on my laptop, but want it back on my desktop.

If you can't log in to CAMPS but you claim to have been using it for 1.5 years without any issues, you're in luck. However, you should be prepared if your program suddenly stops working without notice.

I was able to login to CAMPS.

I just logged into Camps again. All my other QB products since 2009 are there, but QB 2024 Desktop Pro isn't listed there because it was purchased from a 3rd party seller - or at least, that is what Intuit phone support told me. My problem is that I do not have an activation number. Thanks for your troubleshooting efforts.

If you are asked for an activation code for QB Desktop 2024, that's a red flag. You need to have a new code to replace the existing license code. The support team will not bother to help you. Period.

No. I am not being asked for an Activation code. After getting the message about "unregistered uses" I click on the blue button to "Register Now", and another window pops up saying "Activate QuickBooks Desktop now to continue using Quickbooks without disruption and receive product updates as they become available." I then click on the blue button "Begin Activation", and then I get to a screen that brings up my product information (license and product numbers) and a message which says "Contact support to complete activation" - which I've done 3 times already, at which point I posted my question to this forum.

Not sure if this is a duplicate post because I keep getting logged out automatically and then I spend 10 minutes typing a post, not realizing I am logged out and my message disappears so here goes again:

SIAB: No, I am not being asked for an Activation Code. When I attempt to restore data from a thumb drive, I get the "unregistered uses" message and am then directed to contact Support to complete activation - which I already have done 3 times at which point I posted yesterday to this forum with my question.