"validating software license" loop

[BaldJJ]

When I try to launch Photoshop from the Adobe Creative Cloud apps menu I get a popup that says "validating software license" that spins for about 20 seconds then disappears, only to reappear shortly after and repeat, and repeat, and repeat. Photoshop never launches. It was running fine on this Windows 7 computer up until about a week ago.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled several times. Both Photoshop alone, and uninstalled and reinstalled in combination with Creative Cloud. I have also uninstalled, deleted the folders C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD, C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\caps, C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud, C:\ProgramData\Adobe\SLstore, and renamed the opm.db file, and reinstalled, only to come back to the "validating software license" loop.

My license is valid. When I sign in to adobe.com with my email address it offers to "download" Photoshop, and not "download trial".

[kglad]

sign out and then back in to your cc desktop application using the same adobe id used to pay for your subscription:  http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/sign-in-out-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html

if that fails, can you start ps from its installation directory?

[BaldJJ]

When I click "sign out" on the CC it appears to do nothing, and going back to the CC preferences screen still displays a sign out button.

If I try to double-click photoshop.exe it also does nothing.

[kglad · Accepted solution]

quit your cc desktop app.

delete your slstore and adobe pcd folders, Configuration error in Adobe Creative Cloud or Adobe Creative Suite

restart your cc desktop app

if it still shows that attempt to validate, confirm you can connect to adobe's secure servers. for help with that and other common secure adobe.com connection problems read, http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/activation-network-issues.html

[BaldJJ]

When I restart CC and try to launch PS it asks me if I want to start a free 7 day trial or to license the software. I choose license, it asks to verify the ID I would like to sign-in with, I click sign-in. The next screen says "Thank you. Adobe Photoshop CC will now be licensed for ((my email)). Click continue to enjoy the software.", I click continue. The window disappears and about 5 seconds later it comes back again asking if I would like to start a 7 day trial or license the software.

Connection tests to the adobe servers all work. I'm able to use the steps in the link and see the Adobe logo, the "Congratulations! You have successfully connected to Adobe License Management Server.", etc.

[kglad]

using a browser that allows popups and cookies,  contact adobe support during pst business hours by clicking here and, when available, click 'still need help', http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/service-ccm.html

[vanlazarus2013]

Deleting the slstore and pcd directories did the trick for my friend.  Thanks kglad!

[kglad]

you're welcome.  (and thank you for the info.)

[ErinMandy]

I am trying to delete the two directories as well, but cannot find them - how do I know if they are hidden, or if they are simple not there?

Thanks!

[kglad]

if you read the message 3 link you'll see how to find them and you'll see they're hidden (and how to unhide them).

[markvwnz]

Deleting the two directories solved it for me too - thanks!

[kchil]

Same issue and yes it works. Thank you

[kglad]

you're welcome.

[the_king_of_goats]

For me, what solved the issue was logging into the Creative Cloud hub and installing the update.

[allanc46863072]

This worked for me. Saved my Sunday afternoon. Thanks

[kglad]

you're welcome.