Could not decrypt the asset. [code -1116] SOLVED

[Jenk2k]

TLDR

 

If you get error code 1116 (the "yellow picks" error) when trying to export or access Helix presets, check whether your machine name has changed. Helix relies on the ComputerName value (and other values like VolumeName) to decrypt your assets, so if that name changes, it can't unlock your presets anymore. Renaming the computer back to its original name fixed it for me.

 

Longer version

 

I bought a new MacBook Pro. It ended up with the same name as my old one, but with a "(2)" tacked on at the end. When I tried to install and authenticate Helix on the new machine, all my presets stopped working, factory presets, my own presets, and ones I'd imported from other people.

 

I contacted Line 6 for help. We went through several rounds of uninstalling and reinstalling, and carefully replacing preset folders, but nothing fixed it.

 

Eventually I figured out that iCloud had changed the ComputerName on my old machine. I found this by comparing the computer name history on both machines and noticed the name changed right after I signed into iCloud on the new one. That's when I put it together: Line 6 uses things like ComputerName and VolumeName (your hard disk's name) as part of how it encrypts presets, paid and unpaid alike. I confirmed this by checking my backup provider, which labels backups by computer name. Once I renamed the computer back to what it was originally, the problem was gone. I was able to save a bundle and move on.