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 currently logged in, you must wait until one of these users 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 maximum number of users is determined by the serial number and activation key that you enter in Sage 50 Accounts. 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.

1. Click Tools then click Activation and click 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.
   • If you receive a message advising that the activation key matches the current activation key or you must enter a NEW product registration key, this means that the correct key has already been entered on this computer. Click OK and click cancel to close the Product Registration window
   • If you receive a message advising that the program has been successfully upgraded, this means that an old activation key had been entered on this computer, and you've 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 information about which users are currently 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 may be out of date and result in this message appearing.

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 then click 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 open 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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