Etabs License Not Recognized Error 120 Review
Follow these steps in order. Start with the simplest (restarting services) and move toward more complex solutions (file editing).
To fix the problem, you must identify the root cause. Here are the six most frequent triggers:
| Symptom | Likely Fix | | :--- | :--- | | Error appears only when working from home (VPN) | VPN is blocking the license port (2700). Contact IT. | | Error appears after a Windows Update | Run License Manager repair (Step 6) + Disable firewall. | | Error appears only for one user account | Run ETABS as Administrator (Step 2). | | Error says "No such feature exists" | Version mismatch (Step 5). | etabs license not recognized error 120
For structural engineers, ETABS (Extended Three-dimensional Analysis of Building Systems) is the gold standard for building analysis and design. However, few things are as frustrating as sitting down to meet a deadline, launching the software, and being greeted by the dreaded "Error 120: The license is not recognized by the license server."
This error effectively locks you out of your work. It indicates a breakdown in communication between your computer (the client) and the machine holding the license (the server—either a physical computer in your office or a cloud-based license manager). Follow these steps in order
Don't panic. In 90% of cases, Error 120 is not a license revocation but a network or configuration issue. This comprehensive guide will walk you through what Error 120 means, why it happens, and—most importantly—how to fix it permanently.
Based on user reports and CSI documentation, the following steps resolve the issue in most cases: Restart the Sentinel RMS service
| Step | Action |
|------|--------|
| 1 | Restart the CSI License Manager on the server (via Services > CSI License Manager). |
| 2 | Verify the license file – Ensure lservrc is in the correct folder (usually C:\Program Files\Common Files\CSI\Licenses\). |
| 3 | Check network connectivity – From the client PC, ping the license server and telnet to port 27000. |
| 4 | Update LMServer – Download the latest License Manager from CSI’s website. |
| 5 | Reconfigure license path – In ETABS, go to Help > License > Configure, and specify the correct server or local file. |
| 6 | Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus – Test if the error disappears; if so, add an exception for lmgrd.exe and ETABS.exe. |
If versions match, your license file might be corrupt. Get a fresh copy.
Pro tip: Never edit trusted.lic in Microsoft Word. Use Notepad. Word adds hidden formatting that breaks the license.
Summary: ETABS error 120 ("License not recognized") indicates the software cannot detect or validate a valid license. Below is a concise diagnostic checklist, step-by-step fixes (ordered by likelihood), verification steps, and an escalation/log template you can use when contacting support.