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Participant
December 14, 2020
Question

Serial number invalid for Photoshop Elements 2021 for mac

  • December 14, 2020
  • 5 replies
  • 1335 views

After installing Photoshop Elements 2021 for mac I cannot open the editor after I enter the serial number. It always says invalid serial number. I bought the software from Staples. I contacted Staples and Adobe support but they're no help so far. 

Anyone else experienced this problem and found a solution?

This topic has been closed for replies.

5 replies

Adobe Employee
December 18, 2020

Hi,

Would you mind checking out the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this article https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/troubleshoot-activation-errors.html#invalidserial and let us know if it helps in resolving the issue.

Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 14, 2020

Are you sure you purchased and got a Photoshop Elements serial number and not a Premiere Elements serial number?

Participant
December 15, 2020

The serial number starts with 1057 so it should be for Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021.

Greg_S.
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 14, 2020

One other point:  Are you sure you purchased the Mac version?

Participant
December 15, 2020

I think so. But when I look in my account for the products I have registered it says Multiple not Mac.

Greg_S.
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 14, 2020

If you are copy and pasting from an email, the serial number entry sometimes does not work if an extra space gets added. Try entering the serial number manually.  Otherwise, if the serial number is truly not valid, then you should contact Staples support. Alternatively, contact Adobe support.  You can start a support chat session by going to Adobe.com and clicking on the blue Contact Us button under the Support menu.

Participant
December 15, 2020

I also entered it manually. didn't work either. I contacted Staples and Adobe support. They were not much help.

Greg_S.
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 14, 2020

Did you purchase a download version or a box with discs?

If you purchased from Staples, you probably received a redemption code, not a serial number.  Look at this Help article for assistance in redeeming your code for a serial number.

Participant
December 14, 2020

Yes I received a redemption code in an email from Staples which I used to download the software and get the serial number. Installation went fine but the serial number never worked