Etabs License Not Recognized Error 120 Work Online
When you launch ETABS, the software sends a "handshake" request to the license manager on port 1947 (default for Sentinel RMS). Error 120 appears when:
The full error typically reads:
"License not recognized. Error 120. Cannot connect to the license server. Check that the license server is running and that the network is available."
If the driver update didn't work, the "License Support" setup might be corrupted.
If your internet is down, ETABS may fail to verify the license.
If none of the above works, the installation itself is likely corrupted. Here is the clean way to fix it:
Error message example:
“License not recognized. Error code 120”
If you have tried everything and the license is still not recognized, it is possible that the license file itself has expired, or the USB key has physically failed.
Contact CSI Support: You can open a support ticket on the official CSI Berkeley Website. Make sure to provide them with:
Have you encountered a different fix for Error 120? Let us know in the comments below to help fellow engineers!
ETABS Error 120 is rarely a broken license – it is almost always a configuration or service issue. By systematically working through service restarts, firewall rules, and license file paths, you can restore functionality in under 30 minutes.
Remember: The license server is a fragile piece of infrastructure. Treat it like a critical service – monitor it, log its errors, and document any changes. With the steps above, you should never lose billable hours to Error 120 again.
Keywords: ETABS license not recognized, Error 120 ETABS fix, Sentinel RMS not running, lslicense.lic missing, ETABS license server port 1947.
ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120: A Comprehensive Guide to Troubleshooting and Resolution
ETABS, a popular structural analysis and design software, is widely used by architects, engineers, and construction professionals. However, users often encounter issues with the software's licensing, which can hinder productivity and project progress. One of the most common errors is the "ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120." In this article, we will explore the causes of this error, troubleshooting steps, and provide a comprehensive guide to resolving the issue.
What is ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120?
The ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120 is an error message that appears when the software is unable to detect a valid license. This error typically occurs when the license file is not properly installed, corrupted, or not configured correctly. The error message may vary slightly depending on the version of ETABS being used, but the essence remains the same.
Causes of ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120
Several factors can contribute to the occurrence of Error 120:
Troubleshooting Steps for ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120
To resolve the ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120, follow these step-by-step troubleshooting guides:
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, try:
Prevention is Better than Cure
To avoid encountering the ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120 in the future:
Conclusion
The ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120 can be a frustrating issue, but with the right guidance, it can be resolved efficiently. By understanding the causes of the error and following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, users can resolve the issue and get back to working on their projects. Additionally, taking preventative measures can help avoid similar issues in the future. If you are experiencing this error, try the steps outlined above, and if necessary, don't hesitate to contact CSI support for personalized assistance.
To resolve the ETABS License Not Recognized Error #120 , you should primarily focus on re-authenticating your standalone license , as this error typically indicates an incomplete license file CSI Knowledge Base Primary Fixes for Error #120 Deactivate and Reactivate : For standalone licenses, use the CSiLicensing
tool to deactivate your current license and then reactivate it using your activation key. Check Date and Region Formats
: Ensure your Windows system date and number formats are set to US (mm/dd/yyyy) . Incorrect regional settings often prevent the StandaloneKey.exe from recognizing valid licenses. Verify the : Check for the existence of the file in the main ETABS installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS [Version]
). If it is missing or corrupted, the program will fail to recognize the license. CSI Knowledge Base Advanced Troubleshooting
If the basic reactivation doesn't work, try these steps identified by Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI) Administrative Privileges : Ensure you run the activation tool and ETABS as an Administrator etabs license not recognized error 120 work
to give the software proper read/write access to license files. Network Ports : Verify that Ports 80 and 443
are open on your firewall, as these are required for the software to communicate with the CSI activation servers. Locking Code Validation echoid.exe wechoid.exe
utility in the installation folder to confirm your machine's locking code matches the one assigned to your license.
For further assistance, CSI recommends sending a screenshot of your locking codes and the file found in the CSiLicensing subfolder to their technical support team open the required firewall ports Licensing errors generated when running CSI software
Table_title: Licensing errors generated when running CSI software Table_content: header: | Error Code | Problem Description | row: CSI Knowledge Base Licensing errors generated when running CSI software
The "License not recognized" (Error 120) in ETABS typically indicates that the software finds the license file but considers it incomplete or invalid. This often stems from regional settings, corrupted installation entries, or activation desyncs.
Below are drafted posts tailored for different platforms to help you share the solution. Option 1: LinkedIn (Professional & Direct)
Headline: Troubleshooting ETABS Error #120: License Not Recognized
Getting hit with Error #120 just as you’re starting a model? You’re not alone. This error usually means your license file is seen as "incomplete" by the system. Here are the most effective ways to get back to work:
Fix Date/Number Formats: ETABS is picky about regional settings. Changing your PC date format to US (mm/dd/yyyy) often resolves the recognition issue immediately.
Reactivation: For standalone users, try deactivating and then immediately reactivating your license through the CSiLicensing tool.
Clean Reinstall: If the registry is corrupted, uninstall previous versions (including trials), reboot, and perform a fresh installation.
Check the CSI Knowledge Base for the official error breakdown.
#ETABS #StructuralEngineering #CSI #EngineeringSoftware #TechSupport Option 2: Technical Forum/Facebook Group (Casual & Helpful) Subject: Quick Fix for ETABS License Error #120 🛠️
If you're seeing "License not recognized" (Error 120), try these steps before you reinstall everything:
Change Regional Settings: Go to your PC settings and set the date/number format to United States (mm/dd/yyyy). This is a common fix for CSI software.
Toggle Activation: Open your CSiLicensing subfolder. Deactivate your standalone license and then reactivate it using your key.
Check Your Sentinel Driver: If you use a USB CID key, ensure the Sentinel System Driver is up to date and recognized in your device manager.
Run as Administrator: Sometimes the software just needs higher permissions to "read" the license file correctly.
For more details, check out this troubleshooting guide from CSI. Option 3: Short "Tech Tip" Post (X/Twitter style)
ETABS Tip: Stuck on "License not recognized" (Error #120)? 🏗️💻
Most of the time, this is a regional format issue. Switch your Windows date/number format to US (mm/dd/yyyy) and restart the app. If that fails, deactivate and reactivate your license via the CSiLicensing tool. Official fix info here: CSI Wiki #StructuralEngineering #ETABS #CivilEngineering Licensing errors generated when running CSI software
ETABS "License Not Recognized" Error #120 typically indicates that the license file is incomplete or cannot be verified by the Sentinel RMS License Manager CSI Knowledge Base Immediate Solutions for Standalone Licenses
If you are using a standalone license, the most common fix is to refresh the activation status: Deactivate and Reactivate StandAloneKey.exe tool (found in the CSiLicensing
subfolder of your ETABS installation directory) to deactivate your license and then reactivate it. Verify System Date
: Ensure your computer's date and time are correct, as an incorrect system clock can cause the license manager to reject a valid file. Check the License File : Ensure the
license file is present in the main program installation directory. CSI Knowledge Base Troubleshooting for Network Licenses
If your error occurs on a network setup, the issue often lies with the server connection or version compatibility: Upgrade License Manager : ETABS v17 and later require Sentinel RMS License Manager v9.2
or higher. Older versions (v8.5 or earlier) will not recognize newer licenses. Check Server Connectivity
: Ensure the client machine can "ping" the license server and that the server name is correctly set in your environment variables or configuration files. Restart Services When you launch ETABS, the software sends a
: On the server, ensure the "Sentinel RMS License Manager" service is running. Restarting this service can often resolve temporary communication blocks. Firewall/Antivirus
: Verify that your firewall is not blocking communication to the license manager on the server. CSI Knowledge Base Advanced Technical Steps Verify Locking Codes WechoID.exe
(found in the installation folder) to confirm that the "Computer ID" or "Ethernet Address" matches the details provided when the license was generated. Examine Logs : Check the CSI_SentinelLM.log
file in the application data directory for specific error details that can be sent to CSI Support to verify your Computer ID? Licensing errors generated when running CSI software
License file incomplete. For standalone licenses, deactivate license and then reactivate the license. CSI Knowledge Base Licensing errors generated when running CSI software
The Frustrating Error: A Tale of ETABS License Woes
It was a typical Monday morning for John, a structural engineer at a reputable firm. He had just arrived at the office and was eager to dive into his project, a complex high-rise building design using ETABS, a popular software for structural analysis and design. As he booted up his computer and launched ETABS, he was greeted with an error message that made his heart sink: "Error 120: License not recognized."
John tried to recall if he had done anything differently the previous day, but his mind was a blank. He had used ETABS without any issues just a day ago, and now this. He attempted to restart his computer, thinking that maybe it was just a minor glitch, but the error persisted.
Panicked, John called his IT support team, hoping they could resolve the issue quickly. After a series of troubleshooting steps, including checking his license file and verifying his internet connection, the IT team was stumped. They escalated the issue to the ETABS support team, which promised to get back to John within a few hours.
As the day wore on, John's frustration grew. He had a deadline to meet and couldn't afford to waste any more time. He tried to work on other tasks, but his mind kept wandering back to the error message. Why was this happening? Had he done something wrong?
Just when John was about to give up hope, the ETABS support team called him back. After some investigation, they discovered that the issue was caused by a conflict with another software that John had recently installed on his computer. The ETABS license server was not able to communicate with the software, resulting in the error.
The support team walked John through the steps to resolve the issue. They helped him to configure the software settings and reinstall the ETABS license file. With a sense of relief, John restarted his computer and launched ETABS once again. This time, the software opened without any errors, and he was able to access his project.
With a newfound appreciation for the complexities of software licensing, John was able to complete his project on time. He made a mental note to be more mindful of potential conflicts in the future and to always keep his IT support team on speed dial.
From that day on, John never took his ETABS license for granted. He made sure to regularly check his software settings and keep his license file up to date, ensuring that he could focus on what mattered most – designing safe and innovative structures.
ETABS Error # 120 typically indicates that the license file is incomplete. To resolve this, Computer and Structures, Inc. (CSI) recommends specific steps depending on your license type:
Standalone Licenses: You must deactivate the license and then reactivate it to refresh the incomplete file.
System Date Check: Ensure your computer’s system date and time are accurate, as discrepancies can cause the license to be unrecognized.
Reinstall Native Image: Some users find success by uninstalling the CSI native image (often by pressing F4 in the installer) and reinstalling it to clear corruption.
If the error persists after reactivation, you may need to contact CSI Support to verify your lservrc file. ETABS Software Review Rating: 4.5/5
ETABS remains the industry standard for the structural analysis and design of multi-story buildings. Its specialized focus on building systems—offering features like automated wind and seismic load generation—sets it apart from more general-purpose FEA tools. What Works Well:
Specialized Workflow: The interface is built specifically for buildings, featuring "Similar Stories" and "Master Stories" that significantly speed up the modeling of high-rise structures.
Comprehensive Design Codes: It supports a wide array of international design codes (ACI, AISC, Eurocodes, etc.) for steel and concrete frame design.
Integrated Analysis: The transition from modeling to static and dynamic analysis (including response spectrum and time-history) is remarkably smooth. What Could Be Improved:
The ETABS License Not Recognized (Error #120) typically indicates that the license file is incomplete or corrupted. This often occurs when a standalone license fails to validate against the machine's hardware profile or after an interrupted update. Core Resolution Steps
For standalone licenses, the most direct fix is to deactivate and then reactivate the license.
Deactivate Existing License: Open the CSILicenseAssistant.exe located in the CSiLicensing subfolder of your ETABS installation directory. Use the tool to deactivate the current standalone license.
Verify Locking Criteria: Ensure no major hardware or OS changes (like reformatting or changing the Ethernet card) have occurred, as these alter the "locking criteria" (UUID, CPU Info, etc.) and can break the license recognition.
Reactivate: Restart the activation process via the same License Assistant or activation tool provided by Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI). Supplementary Troubleshooting
If reactivation does not solve the issue, check these common technical conflicts:
Regional Date/Number Formats: Error #120 can be triggered by incompatible PC date formats. Change your Windows region settings to US (mm/dd/yyyy) and restart the application. The full error typically reads: "License not recognized
Clear Toolbar Conflicts: Sometimes local configuration files interfere with software startup. Search for and delete any *.tb2 files in the C:\Windows folder, then use Options > Reset Toolbars inside ETABS.
Update Sentinel Drivers: If using a USB key (CID key), ensure the Sentinel System Driver is correctly installed. Use WechoID.exe to confirm the computer still recognizes the Computer ID key.
Repair Installation: If the license file remains "incomplete," uninstall any previous versions or evaluation copies and perform a clean installation.
For persistent issues, you may need to run lsdecode.exe to view the exact expiration date and license type to ensure the trial hasn't simply expired. exe to verify your specific machine's locking code?
In ETABS, encountering the "License not recognized" (Error #120) typically indicates that the license file is incomplete or corrupted
. This error often pops up when the software cannot verify a valid activation or when system settings interfere with the licensing process. CSI Knowledge Base Common Causes & Solutions
To get your ETABS working again, follow these troubleshooting steps: Reactivate Standalone Licenses
: For standalone installations, the most effective fix is to deactivate the current license and then reactivate it using your activation key. Check Date and Time Formats
: Software from Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI) can be sensitive to regional settings. Ensure your PC's date and number format US (mm/dd/yyyy) to prevent recognition errors. Verify System Date
: Ensure your computer’s current system date and time are accurate, as an incorrect clock can invalidate the license. Handle Corrupted Files
: If the license file itself is corrupted, you may need to contact CSI Technical Support for a replacement. Clean Reinstallation : Some users resolve persistent issues by uninstalling
the previous CSI native image, rebooting, and then performing a clean reinstallation as an administrator. CSI Knowledge Base Advanced Troubleshooting
If the basic steps above don't work, consider these more technical adjustments: Sentinel Drivers : Ensure the latest Sentinel RMS License Manager drivers are installed, especially if using a USB key. LMHOST.ini for Networks : If you are on a network license, create an LMHOST.ini
file in the installation folder containing the server’s IP address to help the client machine find the license. CSI Knowledge Base
For detailed guides on specific versions, you can refer to the official CSI Knowledge Base or check support videos on Are you using a standalone license on a single PC or a license managed by a server?
License Error 120 typically indicates that the license file is incomplete or corrupted
. This error usually pops up when the software's Sentinel RMS License Manager cannot fully read the required authorization data. CSI Knowledge Base Common Fixes for Error 120
Depending on whether you use a standalone or network license, try the following steps: Deactivate and Reactivate
: For standalone licenses, the official recommendation is to deactivate the license and then perform a fresh reactivation to rebuild the license file. Verify System Date/Format
: Ensure your computer's date and time are correct. In some cases, setting the regional format to English (United States)
(mm/dd/yyyy) helps the license manager recognize valid keys. Run as Administrator : Right-click the ETABS shortcut and select "Run as Administrator"
to ensure the software has the necessary permissions to access the licensing directory. Check Sentinel Drivers : If you use a USB dongle, ensure the Sentinel System Driver
is properly installed and the computer recognizes the Computer ID (CID). You can verify this by running WechoID.exe from the ETABS installation folder. Re-link the License File : Ensure the license file (typically named
) is present in both the main installation directory and the CSi\Licensing subfolder. CSI Knowledge Base Advanced Troubleshooting
If the basic fixes don't work, consider these deeper system checks: Clean Registry
: Registry corruption during installation can cause license recognition failures. You can try a new installation after a complete reboot to clear temporary conflicts. FixSerCom Utility : If you are on a network, an administrator can run the lsclean -fixsercom
command from the Sentinel RMS Utilities folder to reset the license communication. CSI Knowledge Base Further Exploration View the official CSI Knowledge Base for a full table of error codes and specific resolutions. Follow this installation and licensing guide for manual file placement instructions. Check this troubleshooting guide for issues specifically related to Standalone CID keys. Are you using a standalone license with a USB key, or is your license hosted on a company server Licensing errors generated when running CSI software 7 Jul 2025 —
Table_title: Licensing errors generated when running CSI software Table_content: header: | Error Code | Problem Description | row: CSI Knowledge Base Licensing errors generated when running CSI software
Here’s a concise troubleshooting piece for the ETABS error 120: “License not recognized”: