We could not activate Mass Effect 3 on this computer
A couple of nights ago, I tried to play Mass Effect 3, and the EA app opened a window that said We could not activate Mass Effect 3 on this computer using the origin account you provided. please locate your product key to activate the game using your origin account. !? I have owned this game for many years. I contacted EA and the person couldn't fix the issue. I got a really stupid idea that if I bought it on Steam, I could play it. Well, no. same message. I contacted EA again and because my original copy disappeared my from my library replaced my a steam copy, I could no longer prove I owned the game and I was refused help and basically called a liar when i said I owned it. Sure, there was no purchase history for the game but my son bought me the trilogy as a gift many years ago. Ok, fine. I bought another copy from EA, thinking this would solve the problem, but no. The copy i had just bought is not in my library and so, still no product key and no solution. I was directed to come here and post as many details as I could to try to resolve this since I will never get to play ME3 ever again if i can't get this mess fixed. someone, please help me with this.
A new EA account, refunding, and rebuying aren't necessary for this error. This error only happens for a couple of reasons. The main ones are
You owned it through EA Play and that became inactive
You haven't played so the license file is just corrupted
Another user downloaded and logged in and now you are trying to play
The game and the platform are on different drives
It's typically a pretty easy fix if the account you log into owns it. Below are the steps we take to resolve those errors. The main calls are the license files and registry files. It seems like a lot, but they are pretty easy steps.Delete EA License Files:
- Make sure the EA app is closed.
- Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time.
- Type or copy and paste "%ProgramData%\Electronic Arts\EA Services" (without the quotes) into the new Window > ENTER.
- Enable View Hidden Files and Folders
- Delete all files in the "License" folder.
Please clear your temp files:
- Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time
- Into the new window, type or copy & paste: "%temp%" (Without the quotes.) > hit "ENTER".
- Your Windows Explorer should have brought you to the "C:\Users\>your user name<\AppData\Local\Temp" folder. > Delete all files and folders in it.
- (If some files or folders can't be deleted, reboot and try again.)
Additional steps:
- Go here and download "Revo Uninstaller". (The freeware version and portable version work too.)
- Run "Revo Uninstaller" > Uninstall DAI.
- Revo will ask you which cleaning method you want to use at the end of the main uninstall. > Select "Moderate" > Browse
- If "Remaining registration content found" is displayed > Select All > Delete > Next
- When "Remaining Data and Folders" is displayed > Select All > Delete
- Run "Revo Uninstaller" > Uninstall EA Desktop.
- At the end of the main uninstall, Revo will ask you which cleaning method you want to use. > Select "Moderate" > Browse.
- If "Remaining registration content found" is displayed > Select All > Delete > Next
- When "Remaining Data and Folders" is displayed, Select All (Making sure the "Origin Games" folder is not in the list) and delete.
- Restart the PC > Reinstall the newest version of the EA app.
- Reinstall the game > Test.
