How to resolve ProSeries failure to license error code 4--1

This article will help you resolve a ProSeries error message: "ProSeries has failed to license, error code 4--1, as well as a secondary error message stating "This feature requires a fast path validation check."

For more resources on program errors in ProSeries, check out our troubleshooting page where you'll find help with installation, program launch, and program use.

Before you start:

• This article references default installation paths and uses YY to reference the tax year in 20YY format. C: will always indicate the local drive and X: will always indicate the network drive.

Resolving failure to license error code 4--1

In some instances, this error may be caused by special, non-alphanumeric characters in your firm's name. If this applies to you, you can contact ProSeries Customer Support.

Follow the instructions in the order presented to resolve failure to license error code 4--1.

Table of contents:

1. Updating your software

Most of the time, this error can be resolved by updating your ProSeries software to the latest version:

1. Open ProSeries.
2. From the Update menu, select Update Installed Products.
3. ProSeries will begin downloading any pending product updates.
4. When the download is complete, click Install Now to apply new updates.

After updating, re-license ProSeries:

1. Open ProSeries.
2. From the Tools menu, select License Products.

If the error message is still present, continue with the next section.

2. Making sure TLS 1.2 is enabled

Sometimes, the “ProSeries has failed to license, error code 4--1” notification occurs when you're trying to license ProSeries on a computer where the Internet Explorer browser hasn't enabled the TLS 1.2 security protocol.

Follow these steps to enable TLS 1.2 security protocol:

1. In Windows, navigate your Control Panel and select Internet Options from under Network and Internet.
   • You may also use the Search feature on your Windows taskbar to search for “internet options.”
2. Select the Advanced tab and scroll down to the Security section.
3. Check the box for TLS 1.2 enabled.
4. Select OK.
5. Close Internet Explorer.
6. Update ProSeries by selecting the Update menu and clicking Update Installed Products.
7. Re-license ProSeries by selecting the Tools menu and choosing License Products.

If the error message is still present, continue with the next section.

3. Renaming the entitlement client data store

1. Close ProSeries.
2. Open Windows File Explorer.
3. Browse to the following location: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\EntitlementClient.
   • ProgramData is a hidden folder. To view it, you may need to open Control Panel, then select File Explorer Options. Click the View tab, and then check the box labeled Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
4. Open the v8 folder.
5. Right-click on the entitlementdatastore.ecml file, then select Rename.
6. Type old at the end of the file name, so that it reads entitlementdatastore.ecmlold.
7. Open ProSeries.
8. From the Tools menu, select License Products.

The entitlementdatastore.ecml file contains the license information for ProSeries 2015-current as well as QuickBooks Desktop. To re-license prior year ProSeries programs go to the Tools menu and select License Products. If you use QuickBooks you will need to go to the Help menu and select Activate QuickBooks Desktop.

If the error message is still present, continue with the next section.

4. Uninstalling and reinstalling the entitlement client

If the 4--1 error code persists after following the steps above, try uninstalling and reinstalling the entitlement client as follows:

1. Close ProSeries.
2. Open Windows File Explorer.
3. Browse to C:\ProWinYY\msiupdates\EntlClnt.msi.
4. Double-click on the EntlCnt.msi file.
5. Select the option to Remove ProSeries 20YY Shared Components.
6. Select Finish, and then click Close.
7. Double-click on the EntlCnt.msi file to reinstall the components.
8. Follow the on-screen prompts.
9. Select Close.
10. Open ProSeries.
11. From the Tools menu, select License Products.