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How to Fix Sage 50 “There Was a Problem Activating” Error?

Sage 50 There Was a Problem Activating

When you’re trying to activate Sage 50, it can be really annoying if an error pops up saying “There Was a Problem Activating”. This error stops you from using the software properly. But don’t worry! We’ve got some simple solutions to help you fix this issue. By following these steps, you’ll be able to get Sage 50 up and running smoothly again in no time. Let’s dive in and solve the problem together! 

Sage 50 users might encounter two common activation problems:

“There was a problem activating. Please try again later.”
“There was a problem with the activation files for Sage 50.”

Causes of the Error “Sage 50 There Was a Problem Activating”

  • Damaged or hidden .dat file options.
  • Incorrect date setting in Windows.
  • Corrupted data path.
  • Firewalls or antivirus software blocking activation.
  • Improper installation of the Pervasive Database Manager.
  • Bad and damaged data path files.
  • Corrupted Pervasive Database Manager.
  • Incorrect Serial Number entered.
  • Incorrect data path.
  • Damaged data within files.
  • Program installed outside Program Files (x86) on a 64-bit system.
  • Multiple versions installed using the same data path.

Also Read:- How to Fix Sage 50 There is an Error Connecting to a Database?

Signs of the Error “Sage 50 There Was a Problem Activating”

  1. Program activation failure due to invalid key or network issues.
  2. Program usability issue arising from software conflicts or system errors.
  3. Program opening error caused by corrupted files or insufficient permissions.
  4. Subscription refresh failure due to server issues or expired credentials.

Methods to Fix the SAGE 50 Activation Issues

Method 1: Activate on a Server or a Standalone Computer

  1. Check if your PC can connect to the internet by opening a web browser and visiting a website like Google or Yahoo. 
  2. Ensure that the date and time settings on your PC are correct.
  3. Disable all firewalls and antivirus programs temporarily, then try to activate the program again. You can re-enable them after activation. If unsuccessful, proceed to the next step.
  4. Right-click on the Sage 50 icon, then select “Run as Administrator.”
  5. Attempt to activate the program again. If unsuccessful, proceed to the next step.
  6. Rename “Clientinfo.xml” to “OldClientinfo.xml.” Open the program and try to activate it again. If activation still fails, you have two options: 
  • Adjust your Microsoft Internet Explorer settings 
  • Activate the program manually.

Method 2: Modify Trusted Sites in IE Settings

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. Click on “Tools” in the menu bar.
  3. Select “Internet Options.”
  4. Choose the “Security” tab and then click on “Trusted sites.”
  5. Click on “Sites.”
  6. Add https://licensing.services.sage.com/lic/administrations/LicenceService/ to the list of trusted sites.
  7. Click “OK.”
  8. Allow HTTPS port 443 SSL connection.
  9. Proxy settings adjustment
  10. Access Internet Connection 
  1. Go to “Tools” and select “Internet Options.”
  2. Choose the “Connections” tab.
  3. Click on “LAN settings.”
  4. Uncheck “Use a proxy server for your LAN” (to test if activation will succeed).
  5. Check “Automatically detect settings” and click “OK.”
  6. Open Sage 50 and check if you can activate it.

Re-enable the proxy server settings in Internet Explorer. If your organization requires the use of a proxy server, allow Sage executables and URLs through the proxy server.

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Reset Internet Explorer Settings

  1. In Internet Explorer, go to “Tools” and select “Internet Options.”
  2. Click on the “Advanced” tab and then click “Reset.”
  3. In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click “Reset.”
  4. Internet Explorer will apply default settings. Click “Close” and then click “OK.”
  5. Open Sage 50 and attempt to activate.

If you’ve upgraded from the old Sage 50 to Sage 50 2024 on the server, you may encounter errors such as “Sage 50 Accounting There Was a Problem Activating” when trying to activate Sage 50 on your server. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Make sure your firewall is open.
  2. Disable the firewall for this test.
  3. If your Sage 50 Installation Problems persist, consider renaming the Clientinfo.xml file.

Also Read:- Sage 50 Error 1935: Resolving Installation Issues with Easy Solutions

How to Rename Clientinfo.xml file?

  1. Ensure that everyone has exited Sage 50.
  2. Go to the data path, such as D:\Sage\Peachtree\Company\Clientinfo.xml.
  3. Replace D:\ with the path to your Peachtree Company folder.
  4. Rename the Clientinfo.xml file to ClientinfoBAK.xml.
  5. Launch Sage 50 on the server.

Error: “There was a problem activating Sage 50” when you opened the program and you were never asked to activate it manually

Making incorrect modifications to your Windows registry can significantly impact your system’s functionality. Sage cannot be held responsible for any operational issues resulting from inaccurate changes to your Windows registry. It’s important to always back up your data before attempting advanced solutions.

Other Related Errors:

Online activation initiates automatically.
Absence of prompts to select activation method: Online, Later, or Manual.
Error message: “There was a problem activating Sage 50”.
Successful activation via SageReg, but encountering the error: “There was a problem activating Sage 50” upon opening Sage 50.
Program may abruptly close during the activation process.

Factors that Lead to Error: “There was a problem activating Sage 50” when you opened the program and you were never asked to activate it manually

  1. Corrupted or incorrect data path files.
  2. Antivirus or firewall software obstructing activation.
  3. Improper installation of the Pervasive Database Manager.
  4. Incorrect Windows system date settings.
  5. Hidden or damaged Options.dat file.
  6. Corrupted Pervasive Database Manager.

Solution for Error: “There was a problem activating Sage 50” when you opened the program and you were never asked to activate it manually

Note: Execute all the provided steps on the computer where your Sage 50 company data is stored.
  1. Turn off your Firewall and/or Antivirus software temporarily.
  2. Move or rename the clientinfo.xml file to a location outside your data path.
  3. Move or rename the following files to a new folder outside your data path:
  • ENVSESS.DAT
  • ENVSETNG.DAT
  • ENVUSER.DAT
  • SERIAL.DAT.BAK
  • SERIAL.DAT
  • OPTIONS.DAT
  • All files with the LCK extension (*.LCK)
  • All files with the PTL extension (*.PTL)
  • Entitlements.xml
  • SoftwareInstallations.xml
  1. Completely uninstall and then reinstall Pervasive/Actian.
  2. Ensure that the Windows system date is set accurately.

Also Read:- Resolve Error 1920: Sage 50 Accounts Data Service Failed to Start’

Error: “There was a problem activating. Please try again later.” or “There was a problem with the activation files for Sage 50.”

Other Related Errors:

“There was a problem activating. Please try again later.”
“There was a problem with the activation files for Sage 50.”
Unable to activate, open, or use the program
Unable to refresh subscriptions.
The message “Sage 50 subscriptions were successfully updated” does not appear when trying to refresh Sage 50 subscription updates using the online option.
Activation failed

Factors that Lead to Error: “There was a problem activating. Please try again later.” or “There was a problem with the activation files for Sage 50

  • The server may have been upgraded, but the workstations weren’t, or vice versa.
  • The Actian service might not have started or could be damaged.
  • Btrieve service might be running.
  • User Account Control (UAC) settings could be causing issues.
  • Shared folder authorizations may not be configured correctly.
  • Firewall or antivirus software could be blocking internet access.
  • There may be no internet connection available.
  • The server might be unreachable, making it impossible to ping.
  • Incorrect settings in Internet Options, proxy settings, or geolocation settings might be causing issues.
  • The operating system could be damaged.
  • An incorrect serial number may have been entered.
  • The data path may be incorrect.
  • Data path files could be damaged.
  • The program path may not have been installed in Program Files (x86) on a 64-bit operating system.
  • Multiple versions of the program might be installed and using the same data path (side-by-side installation).
  • The program installation might be incomplete or damaged.
  • Sage Activation Servers may not be responding to activation requests.

Solution for Error: “There was a problem activating. Please try again later.” or “There was a problem with the activation files for Sage 50.”

Note: You might need to try a combination of steps, like disabling UAC, using MSConfig in Selective Startup, turning off proxy settings, and adding trusted sites. If activation still fails, contact us.

1. If Recently Upgraded

  • Server upgraded while workstations weren’t, or vice versa

2. Actian Zen or Pervasive not Initiated

  • Btrieve service running
  • Actian Zen or Pervasive damaged

3. Environmental Factors

  • User Account Control (UAC) restrictions
  • Compatibility issues with drive sectors larger than 4k or Windows 11
  • Incorrect permissions on shared folder
  • Firewall/anti-virus software blocking access
  • Internet connection check
  • Incorrect settings in Internet Options or proxy configurations
  • Damaged operating system

4. Program-related Issues

  • Incorrect serial number
  • Incorrect data path
  • Damaged files in data path
  • Program not installed in Program Files (x86) on 64-bit OS
  • Multiple versions using the same data path
  • Incomplete or damaged installation

5. Sage Activation Servers offline

Conclusion

Dealing with activation problems in Sage 50 can be a hassle, but there are ways to fix them. By understanding what’s causing the issues and following the steps provided in this article, you can get Sage 50 up and running smoothly again. Whether it’s fixing damaged files or adjusting system settings, there are solutions available. Reach out to Sage Support at our toll-free number +1-855-875-1223 if you’re still having trouble.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I Manually Activate Sage 50?

To activate or update Sage 50, here’s what you need to do:

1. Go to the Help menu and select Sage 50 Activation.
2. Activation happens online. But if you’ve used Sage 50 without activating too many times and can’t connect to the internet, you can activate manually.
3. Enter your customer ID and activation key. If you downloaded Sage 50, you’ll find the key in the Sage Download Notification email. If not, you can get them by:
4. Visiting Sage 50’s website and answering a short questionnaire.
5. Contacting Sage 50 Customer Service with your serial number, name, company address, and telephone number.
6. Once done, click Activate.

Why does the Activation Key Fail to Work in Sage 50?

Make sure to use capital letters when entering the activation key. Using lowercase letters instead of uppercase ones can cause issues with the activation process.

Why is Sage 50 Not Working?

1. Software Issues: There could be software glitches, bugs, or errors within Sage 50 itself, which can cause it to malfunction.
2. Compatibility Problems: Sage 50 might not be compatible with the operating system or other software installed on your computer.
3. Data Corruption: Your Sage 50 data files may have become corrupted, leading to errors or issues when using the software.
4. Network Problems: If Sage 50 is used in a network environment, issues with network connectivity or configuration can affect its functionality.
5. Licensing or Activation Issues: Problems with licensing or activation can prevent Sage 50 from running properly.
6. Hardware Problems: Issues with your computer’s hardware, such as insufficient RAM or a failing hard drive, can impact Sage 50’s performance.
7. User Errors: Incorrect usage or input of data within Sage 50 can lead to unexpected behavior or errors.

How do I Find my Sage Activation Key?

When you buy Sage software, you receive your serial number and activation key in your confirmation email. These details, along with your account number at times, are necessary for registering your software or activating additional modules.

How to Fix Sage 50 Accountant 2019 which Fails to Find an Activation Server?

1. Check your Internet Connection: Ensure you’re online and that your firewall isn’t blocking Sage activation.
2. Restart your Computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can solve the problem.
3. Disable your antivirus software: Antivirus programs might interfere with Sage activation. Turn off your antivirus temporarily and try activating Sage again.
4. Reinstall Sage 50 Accountant: If the issue persists, consider reinstalling Sage 50 Accountant.
5. Contact Sage 50 assistance: If you’ve tried everything and still need help, reach out to us at +1-855-875-1223 for assistance.

About The Author

Editorial Team

Editorial Team

At QAsolved, we are a team of skilled professionals dedicated to delivering unparalleled accounting and bookkeeping services. With backgrounds in finance and technology, our collaborative efforts focus on providing practical solutions and guidance. Our services are tailored for a range of businesses, covering advisory, CFO services, bookkeeping, and financial systems consulting. QAsolved is an award-winning consulting firm and Intuit’s #1 QuickBooks Reseller Partner. We offer comprehensive QuickBooks services, including consulting, integration, migration, maintenance, data conversion, training, and support, among other services. Over the years, we have assisted over 30K customers across various industries with their Intuit products.

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