Troubleshooting Activation Errors: How to Resolve Activation Issues

Summary

When you purchase software from Wide Angle Software, you'll receive an activation code for your license. You'll use this activation code when you open your purchased software to unlock the full, unrestricted version of the program.

If you have not received your activation code or you cannot find it in your records, find out how to find your activation code.

If, after entering your activation code, you receive an activation error, the activation will fail. Here's what to do if you come across an error code when activating your software:

1. Error Code 1: NOINTERNET
2. Error Code 18, Error Code 99 and Unspecified Error
3. Error Code 3: ERR_LOCKOUT
4. Error Code 5, Error Code 6 or "Your activation code is not valid."
5. Error Code 7: ERR_INVALID_PASSWORD
6. Error Code -1: A Validation warning was received when trying to activate

Error Code 1: NOINTERNET

This error appears when the software can't communicate with the activation server.

1. Ensure your computer is connected to the internet and that your connection is stable.
2. If the connection is stable but you still see error code 1, your firewall may be blocking communication. Add the software to your firewall's exceptions list or temporarily disable the firewall until activation is complete.
3. If the issue continues, try typing the activation code manually instead of copying and pasting it to avoid hidden formatting errors.
4. If you are entering the activation code correctly and your computer is connected to the internet, please make sure the software you're trying to activate has sufficient permissions to write your activation details to a required file, as detailed in the next section.
5. As a workaround, you can use your mobile device as a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot for your computer. This will use your mobile data to perform the activation and bypass any router or other settings on your computer. You can revert to your normal Wi-Fi internet connection on your computer as soon as the activation has been completed.

Error Code 18, Error Code 99 and Unspecified Error

These error codes usually occur when activation fails due to the software having insufficient permissions to write your activation details to a required file. To resolve this, please follow the steps below.

Giving the app permissions to activate on a Windows PC:

Please try running the app on your PC as an administrator. To do this, please first close the app if it is open, then follow the relevant steps below for your system.
Once the app is running with administrator permissions, please try activating your license once more.

Windows 11: Click the Windows icon at the bottom of your screen and begin typing the name of the app you want to activate. When the app appears in the search, click "Run as administrator".

Windows 10 and lower: Right-click on the App icon either on your desktop or in your programs folder. Select "Properties" and then go to the "Compatibility" tab. Here, please check the "Run this program as an administrator" box. Once done press "Apply" and then "OK".
Please then re-launch the app and try again.

Giving the app permissions to activate on a Mac:

1. From your Launchpad, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.
2. Scroll down and click the "+". If prompted, enter your password to allow changes.
   (On macOS Sonoma and earlier, you'll need to click the lock icon before being able to click "+".)
3. Select the program you wish to activate from the list and click Open to grant Full Disk Access.
4. Close the window and open the software to activate it.

Error Code 3: ERR_LOCKOUT

You'll see error code 3 if your license is locked out.
A lockout will be put on a license if: there have been a large number of activation attempts on the license in a short period of time; the license has been banned; or the license has been refunded.

In some cases, our support team can remove the lockout for you, allowing you to reactivate your software after the issue is resolved (maybe you needed to reset your password).

Please note, that if you need to reinstall your operating system, it is recommended to deactivate TouchCopy or Droid Transfer from your current operating system first. To do this within TouchCopy or Droid Transfer, go to "Settings" > "Activation" > "Deactivate". This will free up the activation from that installation and can help avoid the license being locked out for excessive activations.

Error Code 5, Error Code 6 or "Your activation code is not valid."

This error occurs if the activation code you're trying to enter into the software is not being recognized.

1. Enter your activation code exactly as provided, by copying and pasting it into the software. If this fails, please try entering the activation code manually, as copying and pasting can sometimes cause hidden formatting characters to be inserted, causing issues with activation.

2. Please check that you're using the correct version of the software and that your activation code has not expired. Detailed information on different types of TouchCopy and Droid Transfer activation codes, as well as the correct downloads for different software versions, are available at the links below:

• My TouchCopy activation code is not valid.
• My Droid Transfer activation code is not valid.
• Can I use my Windows license on a Mac and vice-versa?

Error Code 7: ERR_INVALID_PASSWORD

Some of our products require an activation password. For such programs, each time you activate or reactivate your software on a computer, you'll need to provide a password for the activation. This is a security measure to protect your license.

Please ensure that your password meets the guidelines below:

• Passwords must be fewer than 16 characters long.
• Passwords are case-sensitive. This means that if you need to re-enter a password, make sure that capital letters are placed in the correct places. For example, "Abc123" does not match "abc123"
• Passwords should not include spaces.
• Some very simple words cannot be used as passwords, e.g. apple or welcome.

If this is your first time activating the software, you'll need to enter your activation code. Then you'll be prompted to create a password. Create a password, following the guidelines above, and then activate it.

If you are reactivating your license on the same computer, or are activating your license on a second computer, the process is similar. Enter your activation code on the computer you wish to use your license on. You'll then be prompted to enter the password created on your previous activation, say "Abc123". Then, to create a new password for this new activation, say "mY2ndComputer". This new password must follow the same guidelines but cannot be a password which has been used before for your license.

Error Code -1: A Validation warning was received when trying to activate

This error has previously occurred in some older versions of our software, specifically version 1.49 of Droid Transfer. Please check you're using the latest software version, by going to Options -> Updates from within the software.

If you still have troubles activating your license, please contact us and let us know what error code you are experiencing. We'll be able to help you get started with your software.