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Resolve QuickBooks Error 3371 Using These DIY Solutions

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QuickBooks Error 3371 Accounting
Jan 11, 2024

The license key is crucial in activating the application to run smoothly on your device. Likewise, a valid license key is required to activate the QuickBooks Desktop to accomplish your accounting tasks easily. But, sometimes, users might face difficulty activating the application when the application fails to load the license data due to QuickBooks Error 3371. Multiple factors can push this error ahead, but the missing or damaged QuickBooks company files are considered a major cause. 

If you’re searching for solutions to address error code 3371 in QuickBooks desktop, continue reading further and know everything about the problem in detail. So, to help you, we have covered all the factors causing this issue, signs to catch the problem, and necessary actions to eliminate the same. Let’s begin!

Are you looking for expert guidance to deal with the annoying QuickBooks Error 3371? In that scenario, you must ring us at 1-844-266-9345 and consult with our highly-certified professionals to obtain the best possible assistance. 

What Do You Understand By 3371 Error QuickBooks?

As we have talked about in the beginning, the 3371 Error QuickBooks generally arrives when the QuickBooks desktop application fails to load the necessary license data. Also, if you have recently reconfigured your desktop or set up the company file for the first time, you may find this issue. At the time of the error attack, you might see any one of the following error messages flashing on your computer screen.  


Could not initialize license properties. Error 3371: QuickBooks could not load the license data. This may be caused by missing or damaged files.

Could not initialize license properties. [Error: 3371, Status Code -1] QuickBooks could not load the license data. This may be caused by missing or damaged files.

Couldn’t initialize license properties. [Error 3371, Status Code -11118] QuickBooks could not load the license data. This may be caused by missing or damaged files.

What Factors are Responsible for QuickBooks Company File Error 3371?

Apart from the damaged or missing QuickBooks company files, multiple other technical issues can result in the QuickBooks company file error 3371. Let’s have a quick check:

  1. If you face a crash com error in your QuickBooks application, you may come across the company file error 3371.
  2. The installed antivirus software program on your computer system can also provoke the company file issues, leading to the failed license data.
  3. Another reason for encountering this issue is the poor or lost connection to your QuickBooks company data file.
  4. The poor performance of your QuickBooks software is another factor causing the QuickBooks error 3371.
  5. To properly run QuickBooks on your system, you must have Microsoft components like MSXML related to your Windows operating system. If these components are damaged, company file errors may erupt.

Related Page: QuickBooks Error Code 6129

What Are the Consequences of QuickBooks Error 3371: Status Code 11118?

Whenever the QuickBooks Error 3371: Status Code 11118 attacks your system, you will notice the following signs during your QuickBooks operations on the system. Take a look:

  • Every time you open your QuickBooks application, it starts crashing or freezing.
  • The continuous flashing of the error message 3371 on your QuickBooks screen.
  • Of course, you won’t be able to open or access your QuickBooks company file after the attack of the error.
  • Repeated hanging and freezing issues in your computer system.
  • You may start getting notifications about suspicious HTML files on your computer system.

Simple Methods To Eliminate Error 3371 QuickBooks 

Your search for methods to solve the error 3371 QuickBooks ends here! This action will explain to you the quick ways to perform and eliminate this annoying company file issue. Carefully follow the instructions given below:

Troubleshooting Method 1 – Stop Running the Third-party Software Programs

Yes, the third-party application programs running in the background of your computer system may hamper your QuickBooks functionalities. Thus, it also fails to load the license data, resulting in QuickBooks error 3371. Follow this method to fix this.

  1. Firstly, you must close the running QuickBooks application and its related opened windows on your system.
  2. Continue and close all the running QuickBooks services and processes as well. Now, tap the Windows + R buttons on your keyboard to get the Run window on your screen.
  3. Type C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\ v8(or v6) in the Run dialogue box. Once you enter this path, then and there, hit the OK button.
  4. In this step, you must open the Task Manager. For this, hit the CTRL + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
  5. From the Task Manager, click the processes tab and start searching for the QBW32.EXE process.
  6. Now, close this process, click the  End Task option, and remove the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file.
  7. Finally, open your QuickBooks application and check for the status of the QuickBooks error code 3371. If it still persists, move to the next method.

Troubleshooting Method 2 – Remove all the Junk Files from your System

Often, the excessive accumulation of junk files in your computer system also hamper QuickBooks services and processes. Similarly, the company file issues with failed license data can also arrive. Therefore, it’s better to wipe off all these junk files.

  • Firstly, you must simultaneously hit the Windows + E buttons on your keyboard and get the File Explorer window on your screen.
  • Now, close This PC and continue selecting the Properties alternative.
  • Proportionately, click the Disk Cleanup option and hit the Clean System Files alternative.
  • Following this, click the OK option and hit the Delete Files alternative. By this, you can wipe off the troubling junk files from the computer.

You can delete the junk file manually as well as per the given directions:

  • Open the Run Window (Press windows + R keys), and enter %temp% in the Run window box.
  • Hit the Enter key, and you will then get the file folder where all the temporary or junk files are saved.
  • Here, you must press the CTRL + A keys to select all these temporary files. Finally, hit the Delete key, and it’s done.

Troubleshooting Method 3 – Install the Updated Version of Windows 

Sometimes, the outdated version of your Windows operating system can also bring problems like QuickBooks error code 3371. That’s how an attempt to update your windows can effectively help you eliminate this problem. Just continue performing the steps below:

  1. To begin with this, first, you must hit the Windows Start menu and select the Check for updates option.
  2. If the latest updates are available for your Windows operating system, continue installing them on your computer system.
  3. Agree on the license agreement plus terms and conditions when it appears on your screen, and complete the successful updation of your Windows OS.

Troubleshooting Method 4:- Try Running 3371 Error Fix From QB Tool Hub 

  1. Confirm that you have updated QuickBooks Tool Hub installed on your device to start the process. If you haven’t installed it already, install them first and proceed.
  2. Once you finish the QB Tool Hub installation part, open it by clicking on its respective icon. 
  3. From the QuickBooks Tool Hub, locate and tap the Installation Issues tab. 
  4. Afterwards, go with the 3371 Error Fix followed by the OK button to wind up the process. 
  5. Conclude the process by relaunching the QuickBooks Desktop application and the data file. 

Troubleshooting Method 5:- Install the QuickBooks Desktop Again 

Sometimes, installing the QuickBooks Desktop again may help resolve the QuickBooks Error 3371: Status Code 11118. For that, you must complete the procedure given below to get the desired outcome. 

  1. Initiate the process by uninstalling your device’s older version of the QuickBooks Desktop. For that, go to the Control panel and hit the Programs & Features option from there. 
  2. After this, you must review the application list installed on your device. From that list, pick the QuickBooks version that you are currently using. 
  3. Thereon, right-click on the QuickBooks Desktop file and tap the Uninstall option. 
  4. Furthermore, hit the Next button to complete the process. 
  5. Once the QBDT is removed successfully, download the latest version from Intuit’s website. 
  6. Soon after this, double-tap on the QuickBooksDesktop.exe file and follow the installation process given on the screen to accomplish the task. 
  7. Once installation is over, double-tap on the icon and run the software to verify whether the issue is resolved. 

Troubleshooting Method 6:- Erase the ECML File and Modify the Entitlement File 

The users must follow the below instructions to remove the ECML file and change the entitlement file name to resolve QuickBooks Error 3371. 

  1. Begin the process by launching the Run command window on your device by inserting Run into the search console of the Start menu
  2. In the Run window, you have to mention the data path i.e,  “C: >> ProgramData >> Intuit >> Entitlement Client >> v8,” and then click the OK button to go further. 
  3. Afterwards, it will open Windows Explorer from that particular location
  4. From there, you can easily obtain the ecml file, right-click on it, and hit the Delete option.
  5. Furthermore, you are supposed to close the window and try to run the QBDT application again. 
  6. Finally, you might be asked to register your product again to resolve the issue. 

Troubleshooting Method 7: Install the Updated Windows OS 

  1. In the beginning, click on the Start menu and then add “Check For Updates” into the search console and hit the enter key
  2. Thereon, you must go with the All Programs option and then try to update your Windows application. 
  3. Next, choose the highlighted Update option followed by the Check For Latest Updates option
  4. After installing the updates on your device, try to reinstall the QuickBooks application and check whether the issue is resolved. 
Summarizing Everything..!

So, these were a few troubleshooting methods that can help you resolve the problematic QuickBooks error 3371. We suggest you carefully go through all the factors we have explained causing this error so that you can perform troubleshooting accordingly. However, if you find these methods a bit confusing or need an bizbooksadvice expert’s help, connect with us at 1-844-266-9345 or via Live Chat Support. Our team will guide you immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Ans. You must immediately get help from the QuickBooks Tool Hub. If you don’t have one, download it from the official Intuit site. From the Tool Hub, run the QuickBooks Diagnostic Tool to remove the license data errors like error 3371 QuickBooks.

Ans. The QuickBooks error code 3371 is all about the loading failure of license data due to missing or damaged QuickBooks company files.

Ans. You can sense the error with the help of the following obvious signs:

  • Continuous flashing of QuickBooks error messages 3371 on your screen.
  • Unable to run the QuickBooks application on your system.
  • Repeated crashing and freezing of your computer system.

Ans. The QuickBooks Error 3371 is mainly related to the licensing and activation, so there is nothing to worry about regarding data loss. However, scheduling the data file backup is beneficial to ensure that your data is safe from any unexpected losses.

Ans. To obtain the license number in QuickBooks, you must log in to the customer account maintenance portal (CAMPs). From there, you must get the license and the QuickBooks product number listed there. Once you get the license key, then you can use them to activate your QuickBooks application.

For Immediate Help +1-844-266-9345