How to fix common activation errors

Learn how to resolve some common serial number error issues while trying to activate your Elements product.

Invalid serial key error

Adobe blocks serial numbers that have not been issued by Adobe, or have been used fraudulently by unauthorized sellers to produce counterfeit software. Unfortunately, you may only know the serial number has been blocked for this reason when re-activating or reinstalling Adobe software. 

Invalid serial key

Follow these steps if you receive the "invalid serial number" message:

  1. Check that you are using the correct serial number for your product installation. A serial number has only 24 numbers.

    For more information, see Find the serial number of your Elements product

  2. If the serial number associated with the software is blocked, find information on this page to quickly resolve the issue.

Redemption code error

A serial number and a redemption code both have 24 elements. However, a serial number has 24 digits, while a redemption code has 24 alphanumeric digits. If you are entering a redemption code instead of a serial number, you get the following error message:

Redemption code for a serial key

To resolve this error, ensure that you are not entering the redemption code in place of the serial number. Follow these steps to retrieve the serial number required to install your software:

  1. Sign in or create an Adobe ID.

  2. Enter the redemption code, and then click Redeem.

  3. Make a note of the displayed serial number.

  4. Enter the serial number when prompted during installation.

  5. Save the redemption code for future access to your serial number in case you require to reinstall the software.

  6. Adobe blocks serial numbers that have not been issued by Adobe, or have been used fraudulently by unauthorized sellers to produce counterfeit software. Unfortunately, you may only know the serial number has been blocked for this reason when re-activating or reinstalling Adobe software. 

Revoked serial key

Revoked serial key error

Follow these steps if you receive the "revoked serial number" message:

  1. Check that you are using the correct serial number for your product installation. A serial number has only 24 numbers.

    For more information, see Find the serial number of your Elements product

  2. If the serial number associated with the software is blocked, find information on this page to quickly resolve the issue.

Expired serial key

You are getting this message because you're using an expired serial number to activate your Elements product. This occurs because the software build you were using has expired or the serial number used to license the application had exhausted its validity. In both these cases, you need to buy a new Elements product.

Expired serial number

 Adobe

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