License Errors

Very occasionally you may encounter a license error, this is quite rare but obviously worrying when it happens. Some changes that can trigger an error (but are certainly not guaranteed to) are:

• Restoring a PC from a backup
• Performing a system restore
• After requesting a change of license details
• When moving the software to a new computer
• Installing a full license with an evaluation license

Some of the error messages you may see include:

• "Warning: License Renewal Failed ~ You can use this license only on a single PC"
• "Licenses are not available"
• "You are not using a valid license. Select a license below and select Activate"

If you encounter the above or anything similar then please try the following. This wipes existing license details so that a new copy of your license can be obtained from the Altium servers.

1. Quit CircuitStudio
2. Rename (or delete) the folder (where guid will be a long number unique to your installation)
   C:\ProgramData\Altium\CircuitStudio {guid}_Security
3. Launch CircuitStudio
4. Sign in using your license email address and password
5. If necessary navigate to the license page View | Start followed by My Account > Licenses
6. Click the Reactivate button next to your license
7. If you get the following message just agree (click Yes) - no harm will come of it

   "This license has already been activated. Using this license again may conflict with another user on your network if they are using this license. Are you sure you want to continue?"

Your license issue should now be resolved. If your problem persists then please contact us at software@element14.com and include your sign-in email address and a screenshot of any error messages.

Maintenance Subscription Expiry Dates

Although not strictly a license error you may sometimes find that your maintenance expiry date shown on the My Account > Licenses page is different to that shown on the My Account > Extensions and Updates page. If the second date is wrong then this can prevent you from installing software updates to which you are entitled. To force an update use the Reactivate button next to your license.

Evaluation Licenses

These are very different from the normal commercial license in the following ways:

• Time limited to 30 days
• Locked to exactly the one software installation
• Cannot be moved between computers
• Cannot be used to license another installation of the software (even on the same computer)

Normally these differences do not matter but the following may cause the license to stop working:

• Reinstalling the software
• Attempting to run the software on a different computer
• A system restore
• Copying or changing a virtual machine (if CS is installed within a VM)

If you license stops working then you will not be able to successfully start a new trial. One workaround is to request a new trial using completely different details (use a different email, address and phone number). If this cannot be done then please contact us for assistance at software@element14.com.