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HOW TO - Fix Ansys License Checkout Issues

Authored by Caleb Scharf September 28th, 2024 12943 views 2 likes KB955770

Description

If your Ansys software won't open, opens but all features don't work, the Workbench toolbox menu doesn't load or you experience other licensing related errors, this article can help you resolve these and other licensing/checkout related issues.

Rule Out Possible Causes

Quick Solutions!

Search for your exact error message to get targeted solutions.

Causes listed from most to least common

A) License Server Connectivity Issue (Always Rule Out First)

This step is not required if you can check out some, but not all licenses.

Always Eliminate License Manager Connectivity as the cause, first.

B) The license is not available / already in use / expired / outdated

Possible Causes (most to least common)	Solution
Other users are consuming all available licenses or your license is stuck.	Check if licenses are available and who is using existing licenses. HOW TO - View License Usage & Status HOW TO - Release a Stuck/Reserved/Abandoned License
The license does not exist or the quantity of licenses is inaccurate because you didn't install the most recent license file that you were issued.	Check the license status to see if the licenses and quantity you expect are available. If not, install your most recent license file.
The license does not exist in your license pool because you are not licensed for the capability you are trying to use.	Identify the feature you are trying to checkout. View the license status to see if that feature is included in your license pool. Further, you can verify what features are included in the products you purchased via the mapping document. HOW TO - Identify what license features you are attempting to checkout HOW TO - View License Usage & Status INFO - Product to License Feature Mapping Document
Your license is expired or does not support the version you are trying to use.	Verify your license is valid and not expired

C) License Manager is outdated

Note

The License Manager is always backward compatible with all older licenses and client software versions.

We routinely see Ansys fixing bugs in the license manage that fix checkout related issues. The latest version of the license manager should always be run.

If needed, Check your current Ansys License Server Version
Upgrade the License Manager‍‍

D) Corrupt or miss-configured settings

Try the following quick solutions reset basic Ansys settings back to default and commonly resolve many license or application issues:

Reset Ansys Profile Folder‍ (2 min)
Reset Ansys User License Preferences‍ (2 min)
Run Product & CAD Configuration Manager‍ (5 min)
Reset Ansys Server/Site License Preferences‍
1. This is generally only required if your issue is impacting multiple users and is not a connectivity issue.‍

E) Temporary license is superseded by new license

If a new permanent license was issued and installed after a temporary license of the same product, the new license will supersede the old license, meaning, the old license will not work. See - ERROR - Temporary License Stops Working‍

F) Installed license file is corrupt or miss-formatted

Expired temp licenses or miss-formatted or corrupt license files an cause this.

Reset Your Ansys License File‍

G) License Borrowing Issue

The license is being borrowed over a VPN or slow network connection.
- Borrow and return licenses while locally connected to the server.
- Read about known limitations and recommendations for borrowing license - HOW TO - Borrow an Ansys License.
Cannot Borrow a License
Cannot return a borrowed license

H) Checkout issue isolated to the application

This step will attempt to checkout a license from the command line. This eliminates the individual application as a cause.

Run the following command in a Windows command prompt from the client computer.
1. If you're not sure what feature/increment you need to test see - HOW TO - Identify what license features you are attempting to checkout‍.
2. Client Version 2021 R1 and Above:
```
"C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\vXXX\licensingclient\winx64\ansysli_util.exe" -checkout dsdxm
```
  Client Version 2020 R2 and Below:
```
"C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\Shared Files\Licensing\winx64\ansysli_util.exe" -checkout dsdxm
```
  *If needed, replace "dsdxm" with the license feature/increment of your choosing that exists in your license file. Examples of common license features you may have:
  - Mechanical Products - "dsdxm"
  - Fluid Products - "cfd_base"
  - Electronics - "electronics_desktop"
  - If needed, see HOW TO - Identify what license features you are attempting to checkout
  - The Product to License Feature Mapping Document‍ can also help here.
  ‍
  *Replace "XXX" with your version number. "201" for 2020 R1 or "202" for 2020 R2 or "211" for 2021 R1, etc.
  ‍
If this test succeeds, but you still experience a problem checking out a license with the software, there could be several causes:
- The specific license feature/increment you are trying to checkout is either in use/not available
- There is a problem with the software installation.
- In either case, proceed to the next step.

I) Ansys software bug

Gather Ansys Diagnostic Logs.
Send them to SimuTech Support with a detailed description of the problem, including screen shots.

check license status verify available license available fix common licensing errors

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