Invalid Product Number in QuickBooks POS Step by Step Troubleshooting Without Losing Your Data

30 May 2025
Prince Armstrong
Tech Trends / Tutorial

Armstrong Computers -Bringing ICT to Your Doorstep, Where Vision Meets Excellence

Encountering an “Invalid Product Number” error in your QuickBooks Point of Sale (POS) system can be both frustrating and worrying—especially when your business depends heavily on your product inventory and smooth checkout operations.

In one of our real-life client deployments, we faced this very challenge. As always, our approach at Armstrong Computers was simple: solve the problem thoroughly without risking or losing any data.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through exactly how we fixed this error step-by-step, and share vital advice to help you or your IT technician avoid common mistakes that could lead to data loss.

🧩 What Causes the “Invalid Product Number” Error in QuickBooks POS?

This error typically occurs when:

The POS installation is corrupted
Licensing or registration files are missing or damaged
System files related to QuickBooks POS have been unintentionally altered

✅ Our Step-by-Step Solution (As Shown in the YouTube Lesson)

Step 1: Uninstall QuickBooks POS

The first step I took was to carefully uninstall the QuickBooks Point of Sale software from the client’s system. This clears any corrupted or incomplete installation files that could be triggering the error.

Tip: Always make sure you back up your company file and take note of your license details before uninstalling.

Step 2: Locate and Remove the “Intuit” Folder from ProgramData

After the uninstallation, I went into the system files and deleted the “Intuit” folder located in the C:\ProgramData directory. This folder contains leftover configurations and data fragments from previous installations.

Additionally, I searched and removed other related QuickBooks or POS folders that were scattered across various system locations.

⚠️ Important Advisory: Do Not Delete the Public “Intuit” Folder!

Here’s a very important piece of advice for anyone trying to fix this issue:

🔥 DO NOT delete the Intuit folder inside C:\Users\Public\Public Documents.
This folder often holds critical product, license, and company data.

Instead, only delete the specific POS-related subfolder found in the Public Documents directory. Deleting the entire folder could result in irreversible data loss.

Step 3: Reinstall QuickBooks POS

Once the cleanup was done, I proceeded to reinstall the QuickBooks Point of Sale software from scratch.

The installation went smoothly—and more importantly, we were able to launch the system without the "Invalid Product Number" error. All products, transactions, and customer data remained intact.

💡 Final Thoughts & Advice from Armstrong Computers

At Armstrong Computers, we always prioritize data safety and client satisfaction. This lesson is a perfect reminder that:

Not every error requires deleting your whole system or starting over
A clean uninstall and proper file cleanup can solve most issues
Knowing which folders to remove—and which ones to leave alone—is critical

If you are not confident with these steps, consult a professional or reach out to our team for remote support. You can also ▶️watch the full tutorial video on our YouTube channel for a step-by-step visual guide.