Unable to Activate PSE 2024 because of poor Adobe data system. ADOBE PLEASE RESPOND!!

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
July 18, 2025
3 replies
336 views

I had Adobe PS Elements 2024 on two computers. Recently I erased and sold one computer and didn't know I was supposed to Sign-out of the app first - I just erased it and sold it. Then I went to install the app on the replacement computer and it won't take it as I already have two activations. Now, the computer was erased before it was sold, so there is no way the app is running on it or it is active.

I signed into my Adobe account and tried to Manage my Devices, except that it tells me that I have No Activations!! So I can't even de-activate the erased computer there. One part of Adobe System software says "Too many activations" and the other says "No activations". Wouldn't it be nice if they actually "talked" to each other...what the heck?

I then spent nearly two hours on-line chatting with a support agent who I even let remotely access my computer, and he could not fix it. Deleted my program. Told me to buy the new version, offering me a whopping 20% discount.

I am very angry with this situation and hope someone from Adobe will see this post and respond. I bought that software outright and should be able to have it on my two computers as per the licence agreement. Adobe should be able to integrate "Non-plan activations" data with "Plan activations" data, or whatever they call it, in order to fix this. Affinity Photo is looking better and better.

[personal information removed by moderator]

Problem or error

Glenn 8675309

Legend

Get ready to get mad.....

Adobe changed it's activation policy last year
They no longer reset activations.

The "Manage devices" in your account area is for the creative cloud products such as Photoshop, NOT PSE.

All that online thing with "an Adobe employee" may have been a scammer, and not an adobe employee. I am always a bit hesitant when I read about users talking about remote assistance- but there are many documented cases of actual Adobe employees helping. The main technique scammers have been using is to send you an unsolicited message (Adobe employees never ever do that) thru the forum offering "help".

Adobe support representatives may sometimes request remote control of a customer's computer to troubleshoot issues, but only when initiated by the customer through official channels like phone or chat support. They typically use a tool called Bomgar for this purpose. It's crucial to be aware of potential scams and only grant remote access to individuals you have verified as genuine Adobe support staff through official contact methods.

Some may offer solutions about "offline activation" and offer clear instructions: I an not aware of any of those offline methods working, they might work, I'm just not aware of any of them working.

BOTTOM LINE: You can forget about using PSE 2024.

Bojan Živković11378569

Community Expert

I will move post to Photoshop Elements forum.

L

LAMY2017

Legend

j.d., as I understand, this website is mostly community-run. But perhaps Adobe employees will see your post and respond. However, know it isn't just Adobe products that are haunted by phantom/orphan accounts.

Have you searched adobe.com for the topic, "activate PSE"? I'll search too.

Could be your answer --

Device activation limit reached

Here are two screenshots (incomplete; please go to the website to read all of the tips).

Larry

Glenn 8675309

Legend

Those link do not apply to PSE- they apply to creative cloud products Like Photoshop, or Adobe Illustrator, that you subscribe to.

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