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Activation issue on Windows 10 or 11: signing in fails or the pop-up will reappear right after the sign-in

Julia
  • Updated
An error has occurred, please try again later, stuck in Let's get started, login loop, can't activate, Windows 10, Windows 11, stuck in Welcome page, doesn't start, hangs, crashes

If you're unable to activate Capture One on Windows 10 or 11, or the sign-in window keeps reappearing after login, the issue is typically caused by local network settings or security software blocking the connection.

Follow the steps below to resolve the issue.

Steps

1. Check firewall and security software

2. Verify secure access to the login page

3. Add Capture One login page to Trusted Sites

4. Check network connectivity

5. Disable or remove interfering applications

6. Check proxy settings

7. Try a different network

Additional information
 

1. Check firewall and security software (antivirus, VPN, etc.)

Security tools can block communication with the activation server, which may prevent sign-in from completing successfully.

  • Temporarily disable any firewalls, antivirus, or malware protection during activation.
  • If activation succeeds, re-enable your security software and add Capture One as an allowed application.

2. Verify secure access to the login page

  1. Open a browser and go to https://id.captureone.com.
  2. Click the padlock icon in the address bar (usually appears on the left to the website address).
  3. Confirm the connection is marked as secure.
Note
You may see a message like "The resource you are looking for has been removed...". This is expected — you are only verifying that the connection is secure.

If the connection is not secure or shows certificate warnings:

  • Ensure your system date and time are correct
  • Try a different browser
  • Disable HTTPS scanning in antivirus software
  • Check if your network (e.g. corporate or public Wi-Fi) is intercepting HTTPS traffic

3. Add Capture One login page to Trusted Sites 

  1. Open Start menu search and type "Internet Options".

  2. Open Internet Options
  3. Go to the Security tab
  4. Select Trusted sites
  5. Add: 
    https://id.captureone.com

4. Check network connectivity

Ensure your system can reach the Capture One servers:

  1. Open Command Prompt
  2. Run the following command:
ping id.captureone.com

If the request fails, your network may be blocking access.

  • Try switching to a different network (e.g. mobile hotspot)
  • Restart your router to refresh DNS settings

5. Disable or remove interfering applications

Some applications can interfere with secure connections and authentication.

  • Temporarily disable or uninstall network-related apps (e.g. VPNs, firewalls, security tools)
  • Disable browser extensions that may modify requests

If you encounter errors like "Bad Request – Invalid Hostname", this is often caused by extensions or network filtering tools.

6. Check proxy settings

Even if your browser works normally, Windows proxy settings can affect activation.

  • Open Windows Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
  • Disable any manual proxy configuration (if not required)

7. Try a different network

If the issue persists, try activating Capture One using a different internet connection, such as a mobile hotspot. Some routers or networks may block activation requests.

 

Additional information

  • Activation issues are usually caused by blocked communication with the server rather than account or license problems. 
  • VPNs, firewalls, or incorrect network configurations can prevent successful activation. 

If none of the steps above resolve the issue, please contact Capture One Support and include details about your network setup and security software.

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