QuickBooks is a one-stop solution for all the issues that small businesses face in accounting and the collection of financial data. The software can execute many tasks concurrently and helps users to monitor their business performance using credible account reports. But the software can sometimes trouble the users by developing internal issues that affect efficiency. QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118 strikes when users try to open or activate the software. If you also came across this error while working on your QuickBooks, continue reading further to figure out the conditions that encourage this error and the effectual methods to terminate it.
Avoid complex procedures by opting for quick troubleshooting provided by a team of QB experts at 1.855.738.2784.
About this error
This is a runtime error that mainly develops while you try to activate or open QuickBooks Desktop on your computer. This happens if the program files containing your product license details get damaged, and the software fails to process them. You might see these error codes with the message, “QuickBooks could not load license data.” when the software fails to retrieve data from the files. You won’t be able to run QuickBooks on your computer until this error is resolved, and the software will crash a few seconds after opening every time you try. This error doesn’t affect your QuickBooks data, so it is completely safe.
Primary causes
You’ll encounter this license initialization error while activating QuickBooks due to the following reasons-
- Windows Firewall stops background processes of QB, or a security software has quarantined the file containing product license data.
- QuickBooks lacks the %temp% folder permissions required to run the software.
- Insufficient permissions block QuickBooks from accessing the folder that contains your QB files.
- QuickBooks version is outdated and struggles to run in Windows due to compatibility issues.
- QuickBooks files are missing or damaged due to the software’s faulty installation on your system.
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Solutions
The methods listed below will help you tackle this runtime error in QuickBooks-
Solution 1- Make changes in the Windows firewall settings and stop your antivirus temporarily
Windows Firewall can hinder a lot of QB functions while it runs. The software’s background processes can be blocked, which leads to a malfunction, or the software might struggle to connect to the internet. You’ll have to configure the firewall settings to ensure QuickBooks doesn’t get blocked in the future while you work on your financial data. The steps to set up the firewall settings are given below-
- Open the control panel and access the Windows Defender Firewall menu from the search bar.
- Go to the left menu and click Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall option.
- Select QuickBooks in the list of programs in the next window and mark the checkboxes for Public & Private beside it.
- Save the settings.
Another case that can lead you to this error is if the antivirus isolates some of the QuickBooks files & processes, which may include the file containing your license data. Go to your antivirus menu and check the quarantined list for QB files. If you see any QB processes or files in the list, remove them and mark them safe. Then, turn your antivirus temporarily off by applying the steps below-
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete together to open the task manager on your computer.
- Go to the Processes tab and look for your antivirus (antivirusname.exe).
- Single-click the process to highlight it and click End Task.
- Try opening or activating QuickBooks, whichever caused this error earlier.
If the error remains, try the next solution.
Solution 2- Configure the %temp% folder to prevent issues while running QuickBooks
%temp% folder is a storage for temporary files your PC applications require to run. The folder allows quick access to the files to save the time of fetching the files in the hard disk whenever required. Some configuration files of QuickBooks are also stored in the folder, and the software will fail to execute its functions if it fails to access the files. You’ll have to grant QuickBooks access to the %temp% folder using the steps below-
- Type ‘%temp%’ in the search panel and open the folder from the search results.
- Right-click anywhere in the folder and click Properties in the options list.
- Go to the Security tab and choose your Windows account.
- Mark the Full Control checkbox to allow the permissions.
- Click Apply and then Ok at the bottom of the tab.
- Retry activating your QuickBooks Desktop.
If the issue blocks you again, use the next solution.
Solution 3- Run QuickBooks as an Administrator
QuickBooks also develops this error when it fails to access the license file due to restricted folder permissions. You can use QuickBooks in administrator to provide it special access to all the folders in your system drives, which ensures the software won’t face any problems accessing the required files. Apply the steps mentioned underneath-
- Search for QuickBooks and right-click on its icon in the results.
- Select Open file location and look for QuickBooks.exe inside the folder.
- Right-click on the icon and tap Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab and mark the Run this program as Administrator checkbox.
- Save the settings and reopen QuickBooks.
If the error still blocks you while activating the software, try the next solution.
Solution 4- Use the QuickBooks Tool hub to repair the issues
QuickBooks Tool hub is offered by Inuit to help users tackle day-to-day errors in the software that appear randomly. The tool hub is easily available on the QuickBooks website and can also be used to deal with this error. Use these steps-
- Go to the Downloads & Updates page on the QuickBooks website and enter your QB product details.
- Download the latest version (1.6.0.2) of the tool hub.
- Open the QuickBooksToolhub.exe once downloaded and follow the instructions to install it on your computer.
- Mark the Run this program as Administrator checkbox in the Compatibility tab.
- Select the 3371 Error Fix option from the drop-down list and wait for the tool to finish.
- Try to reactivate QuickBooks afterward.
The software will be activated without any problems after executing the methods.
Conclusion
You now know the primary reasons for QuickBooks error 3371 status code 11118, which stops you from activating the software. The appropriate ways to tackle the error are also discussed, which we expect you to use to run QuickBooks flawlessly on your system again.
If you still face any problems while using the software, consult a QB professional at 1.855.738.2784.
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