How to Fix QuickBooks Desktop Subscription Has Lapsed Error?

QuickBooks subscription has lapsed error occurs when your QuickBooks Desktop subscription is inactive. This affects all versions, including Pro, Premier, Enterprise, and Accountant. It blocks access to updates, payroll, bank feeds, and multi-user mode.

An expired subscription usually causes an error, failed payment, incorrect account details, or connectivity problems that prevent QuickBooks from verifying your subscription. We have listed 10 methods to help you fix this error and restore access to QuickBooks features and services.

Method 1: Update Billing Information

To update your subscription payment details, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to the customer account management site (Intuit CAMPs) as an admin.
2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop from your products and services.
3. Select “Information” next to your QuickBooks product.
4. Click “Edit” next to the payment method and update your payment details.
5. Save and close the page.
6. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
7. Go to the “Help” menu, hover over “Manage My License,” and select “Sync License Data Online.”

Method 2: Install QuickBooks Updates

Updating QuickBooks to the latest version can help fix subscription errors. Follow these steps to update QuickBooks:

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Go to the “Help” menu and select “Update QuickBooks.”
3. Click “Update Now” to install the latest release.
4. After the update, restart QuickBooks.

Check if the subscription error persists after the update.

Method 3: Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool from Tool Hub

A corrupted Windows file may prevent QuickBooks from connecting to online services. To fix this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download the QuickBooks Tool hub

The QuickBooks tool hub is designed to assist you in resolving a variety of issues. To use the tool hub, you will need to close QuickBooks. It is recommended to use Tool Hub on Windows 10 64-bit.

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Download the latest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub and save it in an easy-to-access location.
3. If you’ve used the tool hub before, check the version by going to the Home tab at the bottom.
4. Open the downloaded file (QuickBooksToolHub.exe) and follow the on-screen instructions to install the tool.
5. Accept the terms and conditions to complete the installation.
6. Once installed, double-click the Tool Hub icon on your desktop or search for it in the Windows search bar to open it.

Step 2: Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

1. Open QuickBooks Tool Hub.
2. Click on “Installation Issues.”
3. Select “QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool” to repair the required Windows files.
4. Wait for the tool to finish and click “OK” when the process is complete.
5. Open QuickBooks and access your data file.

Method 4: Restore the Product and License File

QuickBooks saves licensing and product details in a file on your hard drive. If this file is corrupted, restoring it can fix the error. Follow these steps:

1. Get your product and licensing information.
2. Close QuickBooks.
3. Open the Windows Start menu.
4. Type Run in the search box and press Enter.
5. Enter C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8 and press Enter.
   • If this folder does not open, use C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v6.
6. Locate the file EntitlementDataStore.ecml. Right-click it and select Delete.
7. Click Yes to confirm.
8. Open QuickBooks Desktop and your company file.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to re-register QuickBooks using your product and licensing information.

Method 5: Check Internet Connection Settings

If the subscription error persists, ensure your internet connection is stable and configure the internet settings in QuickBooks:

1. Verify that your internet connection is active and stable.
2. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Go to the “Help” menu and select “Internet Connection Setup.”
4. Choose the option to use your computer’s internet connection.
5. Click Next and then Done to save the settings.
6. Restart QuickBooks and check if the error is resolved.

Method 6: Install digital signature certificate

To install the certificate using browser, follow these steps:

1. Open the webpage: https://ratable.qbdt.intuit.com/.
2. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
3. Select the “View Certificates” option.
4. Go to the “Certification Path” tab and select Symantec Class 3 Secure Server CA-G4.
5. Click “View Certificate” and then choose “Install Certificate.”
6. Follow the default import options to install the certificate.
7. When the import is successful, click “OK” on the confirmation window.
8. Close the certificate window.
9. Retry installing or updating QuickBooks.

Steps to Install the Certificate Using Internet Explorer

Follow the onscreen directions to finish the installation and import. This can be done by following the instructions below.

1. Open Internet Explorer and go to the Tools menu.
2. Select Internet Options from the menu.
3. Navigate to the Content tab and click on Certificates.
4. Go to the Intermediate Certification Authorities tab.
5. Select Symantec Class 3 Server CA-G4.
6. Click View Certificate and then choose Install Certificate.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
8. Retry the QuickBooks installation or update.

Method 7: Reset the Internet Explorer settings

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Go to the Tools menu and select Internet Options.
3. Press the Alt key if the menu is not visible.
4. Navigate to the Advanced tab.
5. Click Reset or Restore Defaults.
6. Click Apply and then OK.

Method 8: Disable the firewall

1. Disable your firewall.
2. Disable the antivirus program. If you cannot disable the antivirus, special permissions may be required to make changes.
3. Locate the antivirus icon in the system tray at the bottom-right corner of the desktop.
4. Right-click the icon and select Disable.
5. After disabling the firewall and antivirus, install or update QuickBooks Desktop again.

Method 9: Configure QuickBooks Folder Permissions

If QuickBooks cannot access the licensing and product files, it may display the subscription lapsed error. Running QuickBooks with administrative access and configuring folder permissions can resolve this issue. Follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the QuickBooks folder location.
2. Right-click on the QuickBooks folder and select Properties.
3. Go to the Security tab.
4. Select the Windows account from the list and grant permissions, including Read, Write, and Modify.
5. Enable Full Control.
6. Save the changes by clicking Apply and then OK.
7. Close the properties window and retry the task to check if the subscription issue is resolved.

Method 10: Change the QuickBooks License Number and Product Code

If QuickBooks cannot verify the subscription due to issues with the license number or product code, changing these details can resolve the error. Follow the steps below:

For QuickBooks Desktop on Windows:

1. Open QuickBooks and go to the Help menu.
2. Select Manage My License and click Change My License Number.
3. Enter the new license number.
4. Click Next, then Finish.

For QuickBooks Desktop on Mac:

1. Go to the QuickBooks menu and select Manage My License.
2. Click Deauthorize This Computer.
3. Choose Deauthorize and Quit, then reopen QuickBooks.
4. Complete the registration process and enter a new license number.

To purchase or check your license number, log in to your Intuit account and navigate to the Products and Services section.

Change the product code in QuickBooks Enterprise

If you use QuickBooks Pro, Premier, or Enterprise on five or fewer systems, you can update the product code by reinstalling the software. Also, you can change the product code by editing the qbregistration.dat file in QuickBooks Enterprise. Follow these steps:

1. Press F2 and F3 to open the Tech Assistance window.
2. In the Open File tab, select DAT and click Open File to open it in Notepad.
3. Go to Notepad’s File menu and save the file to your desktop using the Save As option.
4. Reopen the QBREGISTRATION.DAT file from the Tech Assistance window and close QuickBooks.
5. Press Ctrl + H in Notepad.
   • Enter your old product code in the Find What field.
   • Enter your new product code in the Replace with field.
6. Click Replace All to update the product code.
7. Save the changes and close the file.

When you relaunch QuickBooks, the updated product code will appear in the product information window.

What are the Prerequisites to Fix Desktop Subscription Has Lapsed Error?

• Check if your QuickBooks subscription is active on the Intuit Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPs).
• Use the correct login details (email and password) for your QuickBooks account.
• Ensure a stable internet connection to sync with Intuit servers.
• Verify your payment method is valid and up to date.
• Use the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop and run updates.
• Keep your product license and activation key handy.
• Log in as an admin to make changes or perform updates.

How to Identify QuickBooks Desktop Subscription Has Lapsed Error?

• A pop-up or banner displays the message: “Your QuickBooks subscription has lapsed” or “Subscription expired.”
• Features like payroll, bank feeds, updates, or multi-user mode are unavailable.
• Notifications in your Intuit account or emails from Intuit indicate a subscription issue or failed payment.
• QuickBooks fails to download updates or verify subscription status.
• Trouble signing in to QuickBooks or receiving prompts to renew your subscription.

How to Prevent QuickBooks Desktop Subscription Has Lapsed Error?

• Renew your QuickBooks subscription before it expires.
• Ensure your payment method on file is valid and up to date to avoid failed transactions.
• Check your Intuit Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPs) regularly for subscription status and alerts.
• Enable renewal reminders and payment alerts from Intuit.
• Use the latest QuickBooks Desktop version to avoid compatibility or subscription verification issues.
• Keep a stable internet connection for QuickBooks to verify your subscription status periodically.
• Set reminders for subscription renewal dates to avoid lapses.

When Should You Seek Professional Help for QuickBooks Desktop Subscription Has Lapsed Error?

Get professional help for the ‘QuickBooks Desktop Subscription Has Lapsed’ error if the issue continues after verifying your subscription, updating payment details, and troubleshooting. Request assistance if you have login issues, difficulty updating payment methods, or technical problems preventing QuickBooks from syncing or verifying your subscription. Also, contact us if you cannot access key features like payroll or company files, or face issues with license deactivation, multi-user setup, or network problems.