Fix Validation Code is Incorrect during QuickBooks Desktop Activation

QuickBooks Desktop requires the right product activation state. The system validates the activation before it starts the accounting operations. Wrong validation codes or product numbers result in activation failures. These failures trigger license issues.

Users witness the following errors due to incorrect validation code:

• The system displays: “The validation code is incorrect, or the service is temporarily unavailable.”
• The system displays: “You cannot use online banking because QuickBooks is not registered.”
• The system displays a prompt to subscribe to the Accountant’s Copy File Transfer Service.
• The system displays a grayed-out Sync License Data Online option.
• The system displays an incorrect validation code message.
• The system displays an ‘Incorrect License or Product Number’ message.

This guide explains how to resolve the “Validation code is incorrect” error. Follow the steps in the given order to resolve the issue and reinstate regular QuickBooks Desktop operations.

Key Points to Check Before You Follow Any Suggested Fix

Users confirm all license information before implementing any solution. These verifications ensure accurate validations and prevent repeated activation issues in QuickBooks Desktop.

Here are the important points to review before implementing any solution:

• Users check the license number plus the product code while installing.
• Users confirm the information in the confirmation email sent by Intuit.
• Users need to review whether QuickBooks Desktop is active and running.
• Users match the license number and product version with the package sticker.
• Users review the CD package sticker when the installation requires a CD.

How to Resolve the Incorrect Validation Code Error?

To resolve the incorrect validation code issue, implement the following solutions in order:

1. Confirm the Time and Date Settings

Users implement this solution when wrong system time settings prevent activation. Right time settings guarantee correct validation during the activation of QuickBooks Desktop.

Here are the steps to verify the time and date settings:

• Shut down QuickBooks Desktop and exit all company files.
• On the Windows Taskbar, right-click the time display.
• Now, choose the “Adjust date/time” option.
• Now, click the “Date and Time” tab and choose the right date for the present year.
• Choose the “Apply” button.
• Now, select the “OK” button.
• Next, open QuickBooks Desktop and choose the “Help” button.
• Now, click the “Activate QuickBooks” button.
• Now, click the “Activation” button.
• Add the validation code and choose the “Next” button.

2. Reboot the .ecml file

Users implement this solution when corrupted entitlement data restricts QuickBooks Desktop from checking the license. Removing the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file compels QuickBooks to create new license data.

Here are the steps to reset the .ecml file:

• Shut down QuickBooks Desktop.
• Ensure all the QuickBooks processes are not inactive.
  • Click the “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “Esc” keys. This will open the Task Manager.
  • Choose the “More Details” option in Windows 10.
  • Choose the “Processes” tab.
  • Choose the Name header by arranging the processes alphabetically.
  • Mark each QBW32.EXE instance and choose the option “End Task“.
• Click the “Entitlement Data Folder“.
  • Click the “Windows” + “R” keys to start the Run screen.
  • Open the folder:
    C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8
    (Use v6 for older QuickBooks versions.)
  • Click the “Enter” button.
• Erase the .ecml file.
  • Right-click the “EntitlementDataStore.ecml” file and choose the “Delete” option.
  • Choose the “Yes” button to verify that the file is erased.
  • Click the Company file and finish the registration when you are notified by QuickBooks.

3. Activate MSXML Again

This solution is implemented to fix the MSXML components required for QuickBooks Desktop activation.

For 64-bit Operating Systems

Here are the steps to activate MSXML again in a 64-bit operating system:

1. Click the “Start” menu.
2. Enter cmd and right-click on Command Prompt.
3. Now, choose “Run as Administrator“.
4. Now, enter cd\windows\syswow64.
5. Next enter regsvr32 MSXML4.dll and regsvr32 MSXML6.dll

For 32-bit Operating Systems

Here are the steps to activate MSXML again in a 32-bit operating system:

1. Click the “Windows” + “R” keys to start the Run screen.
2. Type “cmd” and click the “Enter” button.
3. Now enter “regsvr32 MSXML4.dll” and then “regsvr32 MSXML6.dll“.

4. Access the QuickBooks Install Tool

The QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool is often used to fix the primary installation files that impact activation. The tool identifies corrupted components that result in a wrong validation code issue.

Here are the steps to run the QuickBooks Install tool:

• From the official website, download the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool. Install it.
• Verify that the system has a minimum of 200 MB of free space.
• Start the tool to locate the activation elements related to the wrong validation code.
• Enable the tool to finish diagnostics and fix the impacted QuickBooks Desktop files.

5. Prepare a New Windows Admin

Creating a new Windows Admin helps to erase activation errors triggered by corrupted user profiles. This step identifies permission errors that prevent the QuickBooks Desktop registration.

Here are the steps to create a new Windows Admin:

For Windows 10

• Choose the “Start” icon.
• Now, choose the “Settings” option.
• Choose the “Accounts” option and then select the option “Family and other users“.
• Choose the option “Add someone else to this PC” under the “Other Users” section.
• Choose the option “I do not have this person’s sign-in information“.
• Choose the option “Add a user without a Microsoft Account“.
• Add a new account name.
• Choose the “Finish” button.
• Choose a new account.
• Now, choose the “Change account type” option.
• From the dropdown, choose the “Administrator” option.
• Choose the “OK” button.
• With the new admin account, log in and log out of Windows.
• Open QuickBooks Desktop.
• Choose the “Help” option and then click the “Activate QuickBooks” tab.
• Choose the “Start Activation” option.
• Finalize whether to move ahead or switch back to the previous account after activation.

For Windows 8

1. Click the keys “Windows” and “E“. This will help open the File Explorer.
2. Choose the “Computer” tab.
3. Now, choose the “Open Control Panel” option.
4. Choose “User Accounts” and then click “Manage another account“.
5. Choose the “Add a new user in PC settings” option.
6. Add the username along with the domain name.
7. Choose the “Next” button.
8. Allocate Admin access to the new user.
9. Choose the “Finish” button.
10. Log out and log in with the new admin account credentials.
11. Open QuickBooks Desktop and choose the “Help” option.
12. Now, click the “Activate QuickBooks” option and then click the tab “Begin Activation“.

For Windows 7

1. Choose the “Start” icon.
2. Now, choose the “Control Panel” button.
3. Choose “User Accounts” and then click the “Manage User Accounts” tab.
4. Choose the “Add” button.
5. Add the domain name and new username.
6. Choose the “Next” button.
7. Allocate “Admin” access to the new user.
8. Choose the “Finish” button.
9. Log out and then log in with the new admin account.
10. Open QuickBooks Desktop and choose the “Help” option.
11. Now, click the “Activate QuickBooks” option and then click the tab “Begin Registration“.

6. Start Quick Fix My Program

Often, activation is restricted due to background processes in QuickBooks. Using the QuickBooks Tool Hub can help to restrict those background processes and resolve activation issues.

Here are the steps to run the Quick Fix My Program tool:

1. Download the QuickBooks Tool Hub and install it

• Shut down QuickBooks.
• Download the Latest version (1.6.0.8) of QuickBooks Tool Hub.
• Now, save it in an easily accessible location.
• Click the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file.
• Complete the on-screen steps and acknowledge all the conditions.
• Open the Tool hub or look for it in Windows.

2. Start Quick Fix My Program

• Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
• Choose the option “Installation Issues“.
• Choose the “3371 Error Fix” option.
• Now, click the “OK” button.
• Start QuickBooks Desktop and click the data file.

In this guide, complete information on Validation Code is incorrect error has been shared. All the troubleshooting steps have been shared. Still, if there is any query or doubt, feel free to reach out to us.

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