MAXQDA does not start anymore

If you have previously worked with MAXQDA and it is no longer possible to start the program, the issue may lie in the user settings, the MAXQDA license file, the MAXQDA project file or the MAXQDA installation itself.

You are receiving an error message?

If you receive an error message when trying to start MAXQDA, and if this message contains information about the cause of the error and suggests steps for troubleshooting, please follow these steps. If the problem persists, please contact our support team.

If the error message does not contain any troubleshooting information, please look here for a suitable solution article. Some error messages contain error codes, for which you can find solution articles here. These will be continuously updated.

You are not receiving an error message?

If you are unable to start MAXQDA and no error message is displayed, please follow these steps in sequence. If MAXQDA can be opened again, you do not need to take the next step.

1) If you open MAXQDA by double-clicking on the project file, please try to start MAXQDA via the program icon.

If this is successful, the project file may be damaged. In this case, it is best to create a new database structure for your project to avoid problems with the database structure. This is very easy:

• Create a new project file and save it on your local hard drive (e.g. on the desktop). 
• Open it, go to the Start tab and select Merge Projects on the far right. 
• Merge the new project file with the problematic project file.

This will create a new. mx24 project file with a new database structure, but it will contain all the data already available.

If the error continues to occur, please search for backups of your project file. To do this, please search your entire computer for files with the file extension .mx24, so that all MAXQDA 24 project files are found. If backups are stored on an external location, such as a network drive or cloud storage, please copy the project files to your local hard drive before opening the files.

If you no longer have a working project file, please contact our support team.

2) If you have already tried to start MAXQDA via the program icon, please delete the current user settings and try to run MAXQDA again.

Windows

• Switch to Windows Explorer and press the Windows key and R.
• Enter %appdata%/MAXQDA24 in the address bar and click OK.
• Delete the files MAXQDA24.ini and MAXQDA24.prp in the now open folder.

macOS

• Switch to the Apple Finder and press shift, cmd and G.
• Enter ~/Library/Preferences/MAXQDA24 in the address bar and press the Enter key.
• Delete the files MAXQDA24.ini and MAXQDA24.prp in the folder that opens.

3) If MAXQDA still cannot be executed after deleting the user settings, please delete the current license file and reactivate MAXQDA.

Important: Only carry out this step if you know the serial number of the activated MAXQDA license.

Windows

• Switch to Windows Explorer and press the Windows key and R.
• Enter %allusersprofile% in the address bar and click OK.
• In the window that opens, delete the MAXQDA24 folder.

macOS

• Switch to the Apple Finder and press shift, cmd and G.
• Enter ~/Library/Application Support/ in the address bar and press the Enter key.
• Delete the folder MAXQDA24 in the now open window.

4) If you still cannot start MAXQDA after deleting the license file, please reinstall MAXQDA. You do not need to uninstall MAXQDA first. You can simply replace the existing installation.

Download MAXQDA: https://www.maxqda.com/download-now

Please be advised that administrator rights are required to complete this task. If the user account does not have the necessary rights, please contact your IT team.

Windows

• Download MAXQDA for Windows.
• Double-click on the downloaded file MAXQDA24_Setup.msi and follow the on-screen instructions.
• If you are asked if you want to replace the existing installation, confirm with Yes.

macOS

• Download MAXQDA for Mac.
• Double-click on the downloaded file MAXQDA24.dmg.
• In the window that opens, drag the MAXQDA icon to the Applications folder link on the right.
• If you are asked if you want to replace the existing installation, confirm by clicking Yes.

What should I do if MAXQDA still does not start despite all these measures?

If MAXQDA still does not start after you have followed all the steps above, please contact our technical support. Please send the MAXQDA support file in MAXQDA24_Support.zip, which you can find in Windows Explorer or macOS Finder in the following folder:

Windows: Documents > MAXQDA24 > _MAXQDA_System
macOS: Documents > MAXQDA > MAXQDA24 > _MAXQDA_System