@APRoyalty What build are you on?

@EricLNZ Windows 11; 64 bit, AMD Ryzen 7 5700U with Radeon Graphics, enough available memory. Again, Vegas Pro was working fine on this same laptop with no problems.

@EricLNZ also, when support asked me to download Vegas 21 trial, I had no issues. Went back to 18, and can't even get in the program. Anything I try, it always leads me back to the activation screen, even though the program has been activated since 2021.

@APRoyalty

1. I meant which VP18 build are you on?
2. Have you tried a reset as mark-y suggested? Make sure you tick the box to clear the cache
3. Presumably you've tried rebooting your laptop?

@EricLNZ Yes, I’ve tried all that and more, and it still leads me back to the screen that ask for the serial number and email.

@APRoyalty You haven't mentioned your VP18 build number.

If it was working previously then possibly a recent Windows update has caused an upset. When you insert your serial number and email address what then happens?

Do you have Malwarebytes installed. I ask because searching through this forum I find this did appear to cause problems for one user.

By 'Build' number they mean 'version' number. Find it by choosing 'About...' from the bottom of the 'Help' menu. It will be in brackets after the main version number. It should say 'Version 18.0 (build 527)'. If it's an earlier version then download build 527 here: http://dl04.magix.net/2020/VEGASPro18/Update/VEGAS_Pro_18.0.0.527_DE-EN-FR-ES_65FE17DA.exe

Check your serial number at https://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/support/service-center/ by choosing 'My Products'. 'Show more details' will list any existing activations.

There is a general FAQ post for Vegas start-up issues here. Something in it may help: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-vegas-pro-won-t-start-what-can-i-do--104784/