Complete the steps on each section until you resolve the issue.

Check the number of logged in users

Check the user list:

1. Log in to Sage Accounts as MANAGER.
2. Click Settings then click User Management.
3. Select Active Sessions.

Your licence determines the number of users that can access the software at any one time. The message appears when the limit has been reached and the next user tries to log in.

If the maximum number of users are logged in, wait until one of them logs out before you can access this company. 

 TIP: You may be able to upgrade the number of users. Leave your details and we'll be in touch.

If the maximum number of users aren't currently logged in, continue to the Check licence details on all computers section.

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Check licence details on all computers

The serial number and activation key that you enter in Sage 50 Accounts determines the maximum number of users. This message can appear if one or more of your computers doesn't have the correct activation key.

Do this on every computer that uses Sage 50 Accounts.  TIP: If you can't log in on a computer, open Demonstration data to check the licence. 

1. Go to Tools, then Activation and select Upgrade Program.
2. If prompted to do this on each station of a multi-user system, click OK. 

 TIP: Use our article to find your serial number, key and account number.

3. In the Product Registration window, check that the serial number is correct.
4. In the New Key box, enter the current activation key then click Continue.
   • You can receive a message advising that the activation key matches the current key or you must enter a NEW product registration key.  This means that the correct key is entered on this computer. Click OK and click cancel to close the Product Registration window

   • If you receive a message stating the program has been successfully upgraded, it means you initially entered an old activation key but have now entered the correct one. Click OK to close the software

If the message is still appearing after checking this on every computer, continue to the Delete the queue.dta file section.

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Delete the queue.dta file

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CAUTION: When following this article, if you need to delete any files, you must ensure that you first stop the Data Service or lock Sage Drive.

The queue.dta file stores who is logged in and which tasks they're performing. If a user doesn't close the software correctly, for example, if the software crashes, the information in the queue.dta file can be out of date and the message appears.

To delete the queue.dta file:

1. To ensure that the information in the queue.dta file is correct, ask all users to log out of Sage 50 Accounts.
2. Locate the queue.dta file in the ACCDATA folder.

   Open Sage Accounts and logon as usual, go to Help and About, then in the Program Details click the path for the Data directory.

   If you're unable to open Sage 50 Accounts, browse to the following path for your version:   

   
   
   

   Version	Folder
   Sage 50 Accounts v31	C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2025
   Sage 50 Accounts v30	C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2024
   Sage 50 Accounts v29	C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2023
   Sage 50 Accounts v28	C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2022
   Sage 50 Accounts v27	C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2021
   Sage 50 Accounts v26	C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2020

3. Locate and double-click the COMPANY file then choose to open with notepad.
4. Take a note of the relevant path.
5. In Windows explorer, browse to the path noted in step 3 then double-click the ACCDATA folder.
6. Right-click the queue.dta file and click Delete then click Yes.

A new QUEUE.DTA file is automatically created the next time you log in to this company.

 

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