Etabs License Not Recognized Error 120 -
Error 120 indicates a license recognition failure. Immediate action should focus on verifying the license service status, firewall settings, and license file integrity. If unresolved after basic steps, reinstallation or vendor support is required to restore ETABS functionality.
Status: [Open / Resolved]
Next Steps: [e.g., Assign to IT for license server check / Contact CSI support]
Report Prepared By: ___________________
Date: ___________________
The "License Not Recognized Error 120" in ETABS typically occurs when the software cannot communicate with the Sentinel RMS License Manager or find a valid license file. This issue is common after Windows updates, server migrations, or changes to network configurations.
Follow these steps to resolve the error and get back to your structural modeling. Check the LSHOST File
The most common cause is ETABS looking in the wrong place for its license.
Navigate to the ETABS installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS [Version]). Locate a file named LSHOST.txt. Open it with Notepad.
Delete any existing text and type the IP address or Host Name of the license server. If you are using a standalone license, type localhost. Save the file and restart ETABS. Verify the Sentinel RMS License Manager
If you are using a Network License, the service on the server might have stopped.
On the Server: Open "Services" (type services.msc in the Start menu). Locate: Find "Sentinel RMS License Manager."
Action: If it’s not running, click Start. If it is running, click Restart.
Check Tools: Use the WlmAdmin.exe tool to see if the ETABS licenses are visible and not expired. Adjust Windows Firewall Settings
Firewalls often block the communication port used by CSI software.
Ensure UDP Port 5093 is open on both the server and the client workstation.
Add an exception for the Sentinel RMS License Manager executable (lservnt.exe).
Temporarily disable the firewall to test if the error disappears. Set Environment Variables
Manually pointing Windows to the license server can bypass local configuration glitches.
Right-click This PC > Properties > Advanced System Settings. Click Environment Variables. Under System Variables, click New. Variable Name: LSFORCEHOST Variable Value: Enter your server's IP address or hostname. Restart your computer. Re-run the Leveling Tool
Sometimes the internal "license level" (e.g., Ultimate, Plus, or Standard) gets reset.
In the ETABS installation folder, look for CSiLicensing.exe or LicenseRequest.exe. Run the tool as Administrator.
Ensure the correct product level is selected to match your purchased license.
💡 Quick Tip: If you recently updated Windows, your "Computer ID" or "Locking Code" might have changed. If the steps above fail, generate a new request file via the License Management Tool and contact CSI Support for a license reactivation. To help you fix this faster, let me know: Your ETABS version? Using a Network or Standalone license?
The number 120 typically corresponds to a network timeout or a "license not found" response. Unlike a simple activation error, Error 120 suggests that the ETABS application sent a request to the license server (or your local license file), but the server either didn't respond in time or responded saying the license doesn't exist for that specific product version.
Common causes include:
The most frequent cause of Error 120 is Windows Security blocking the ETABS.exe file from verifying the license. etabs license not recognized error 120
Solving the ETABS "License Not Recognized" Error 120: A Troubleshooting Guide
Structural engineers rely on ETABS for critical design tasks, so encountering a licensing error right when you need to run a simulation can be frustrating. One of the most common issues users face is Error 120: License Not Recognized According to the official CSI Knowledge Base , Error 120 typically indicates that the license file is incomplete or corrupted.
If you're staring at this error message, don't worry. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your software back online. 1. Deactivate and Reactivate (Standalone Licenses)
For those using a standalone license, the most direct solution recommended by experts is a simple "reset" of your activation. CSILicenseAssistant.exe found in the CSiLicensing subfolder of your ETABS installation directory. Navigate to the "License" tab and select Deactivate Once successful, select and re-enter your activation key. 2. Verify System Date and Time
Licensing servers are highly sensitive to "time tampering." If your computer's system date is incorrect, the license file may be flagged as invalid.
Ensure your date and time are synchronized with an internet time server. CSI Support Guide suggests using the US date format (mm/dd/yyyy)
to avoid compatibility issues with certain license managers. 3. Update Sentinel Drivers
ETABS uses Sentinel LDK technology to manage licenses. If your drivers are outdated or the Sentinel License Manager service isn't running, the software won't "see" your valid license. Check the Service: Open Windows "Services" and ensure the Sentinel License Manager is set to "Running". Reinstall Drivers: You can often find the driver installer (usually SetupSysDriver.exe or similar) within the folder in your CSI program directory. 4. Check for Corruption in the lservrc File If the solutions above don't work, your file (the actual license file) might be incomplete. Locate the file in your ETABS installation folder.
If the file size is 0KB or it appears empty when opened with Notepad, it is likely corrupted. You may need to contact CSI Technical Support to have your license file reissued or validated. 5. Avoid "Native Image Generation" During Install
If you are performing a fresh installation and keep hitting this error, some users found success by
the "Perform native image generation" option during the installation process. This can sometimes prevent the license initialization from being blocked by system security. Summary Checklist Reactivate Refreshes the local license token. Prevents "invalid date" flags. Check Services Ensures the Sentinel License Manager is active. Update Drivers Connects the hardware/software ID to the license.
This error usually triggers when the software can find a license file, but the data within that file is missing required segments or doesn't align with the machine's specific "Locking Code" (which includes the Ethernet address, CPU info, and UUID). Primary Fixes
Reactivate the License: For standalone versions, the official recommendation is to deactivate the current license and then reactivate it to refresh the local license file.
Fix Corrupted Registry Entries: Sometimes registry errors during installation cause this mismatch. You can try running a Microsoft FixIt tool or a clean reinstall: Uninstall all previous versions (including trials). Reboot your machine. Perform a fresh installation.
Check Date/Time Settings: In some cases, inconsistent regional settings or system dates can interfere with license validation. Ensure your system date and number format are set to US (mm/dd/yyyy). Technical "Deep Story" Workarounds
If the standard reactivation doesn't work, the community often points to these deeper causes:
UUID Invalidity: If your computer lacks a valid UUID (showing as FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF...), the license manager may fail to lock the software to your hardware.
Clock-Manipulation ("RunAsDate"): For older versions where licenses have expired, some users employ tools like RunAsDate to trick the software into thinking it's running during the valid license period, though this is a workaround rather than a formal fix.
Cleaning Temporary Files: Deleting *.tb2 files in the C:\Windows folder and resetting toolbars within ETABS can occasionally clear UI-related license glitches.
Note: If you are using a network license, Error 120 may require your IT administrator to update the License Manager (LM) to a version compatible with your specific ETABS release.
Error #120 typically indicates that the license file is incomplete or corrupted
. This usually happens when the activation process was interrupted or if a standalone license file wasn't fully registered by the system. CSI Knowledge Base Recommended Solutions Deactivate and Reactivate
: For standalone licenses, the most effective fix is to first deactivate your current license and then perform a fresh reactivation using your activation key. Run as Administrator
: Ensure you are running the license activation tool (located in the CSiLicensing Verify server process and ports:
subfolder) with administrative rights to allow it to write the necessary files correctly. Verify Internet Access
: Your machine must have an active internet connection to communicate with the CSI activation servers. Check that Ports 80 and 443 are not blocked by your firewall or antivirus. Update Sentinel Drivers : If you use a hardware USB key, ensure the Sentinel System Driver is installed and up-to-date. Check System Date
: An incorrect system date can cause license validation to fail. Ensure your computer’s date and time are synchronized. CSI Knowledge Base Troubleshooting Connectivity (Network Licenses)
If you are seeing this on a client machine using a network license: Check Server Connection : Ensure the client can "see" the license server. Use LMHOST.INI : Create a file named LMHOST.INI
in the ETABS installation folder containing the IP address of your license server to speed up the detection process. www.csicertifications.us For further assistance, you can refer to the official CSI Knowledge Base
or contact their support team if the file continues to appear corrupted. CSI Knowledge Base Are you using a standalone activation key network license server for your ETABS installation? Licensing errors generated when running CSI software
In structural engineering software, Error #120 in Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI) ETABS indicates that the license file is incomplete or improperly activated. This error typically prevents the software from launching and is often rooted in corrupted registry entries or a mismatch between the installed license and the workstation's configuration. Core Causes of Error #120
Incomplete License File: The lservrc file, which contains the authorization codes, may be missing critical components or failed to write correctly during activation.
Registry Corruption: Errors often arise from corrupted registry entries during the installation phase, which can block the software from correctly identifying a valid license.
Configuration Mismatches: For standalone licenses, changes to the machine's hardware ID (locking criteria) or system date formats can lead to the license being "unrecognized". Troubleshooting and Resolutions
Standard official procedures for resolving Error #120 vary depending on the license type:
Standalone Licenses: The primary solution is to deactivate the current license and then reactivate it using the activation key provided by CSI. This refreshes the local license file and ensures it matches the machine's current locking code.
Network Licenses: Users should verify the connection between the client machine and the license server. Creating an LMHOST.INI file in the product's installation folder with the server's IP address can help the software locate the license more reliably.
Installation Repair: If reactivation fails, running a FixIt tool or performing a clean uninstallation followed by a system reboot and re-installation is recommended to clear corrupted registry data. Alternative Approaches
Some users employ third-party tools like "Run as Date" to bypass licensing issues related to expired trial periods by tricking the software into seeing a historical system date. However, official CSI documentation emphasizes that legitimate activation requires administrative rights and open internet ports (80 and 443) to communicate with their activation servers.
The "ETABS License Not Recognized Error 120" is a common issue typically encountered when the software's licensing system, Sentinel RMS, fails to validate the license. This often occurs even after a license update or a fresh installation. 1. Core Causes of Error 120
According to documentation from Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI), this error is primarily linked to:
System Date/Time Mismatch: The most common trigger is an incorrect system date or regional number format.
Native Image Conflicts: Leftover files from previous installations can interfere with the new license.
Driver Issues: Missing or outdated Sentinel USB key drivers if using a hardware-locked license. 2. Troubleshooting Steps Step 1: Update Regional Date & Number Formats
The CSI Knowledge Base indicates that Error 120 frequently arises when running Standalonekey.exe due to non-US date formats. Open Region Settings in your Windows Control Panel. Change the format to English (United States). Ensure the date format is set specifically to mm/dd/yyyy. Restart your computer and attempt to run ETABS again. Step 2: Remove CSI Native Images
Corrupt native images can prevent the license from being recognized correctly.
Navigate to the ETABS installation folder (typically C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS [Version]). Locate and run the utility to uninstall CSI native images.
If prompted during a reinstall, always select "Yes" to remove any previously installed native images. Step 3: Verify the License Manager Service Test connectivity:
If you are using a network or standalone license, ensure the Sentinel RMS License Manager is active. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter. Find Sentinel RMS License Manager in the list. If it isn't "Running," right-click it and select Start. Step 4: Update Drivers (For USB Keys) If your license is tied to a physical USB dongle: Check if the Sentinel Driver is installed.
Download the latest driver version from the CSI Knowledge Base or the official Sentinel site. 3. Advanced Fix: Re-installation
If the above steps fail, a clean reinstall is recommended to clear hidden configuration errors.
Uninstall ETABS and any existing Sentinel RMS License Managers. Reboot the system to ensure all processes are cleared.
Install the application using "Run as Administrator" and carefully follow every step in the provided instructions.
Are you using a standalone or a network license for your ETABS installation?
The coffee was still steaming when Leo tried to open ETABS for the Monday morning deadline. Instead of the familiar workspace, a cold, gray box appeared: "License Not Recognized. Error #120." The program terminated before it even began. Leo knew this usually signaled an incomplete license file
. He had spent all Sunday night finishing the 50-story model, and now the software refused to believe he was an authorized user. CSI Knowledge Base Troubleshooting the Lockdown
To break through Error 120, Leo recalled the standard fixes recommended by Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI) Reactivate the License : For standalone licenses, the most common fix is to deactivate and then immediately reactivate
the license. This forces the software to rebuild the missing or corrupted license file components. Check the Date/Number Format
: Sometimes, the PC's regional settings clash with the license server. Setting the date/number format to US (mm/dd/yyyy) can resolve recognition issues when running tools like Standalonekey.exe Native Image Cleanup
: If the error appeared after a fresh update, Leo might need to uninstall the CSI native image using the installer to clear out conflicting old data. Network Pathing : For office setups, adding an LMHOST.INI
file containing the server's IP address to the program folder helps the software find the license faster across the network. CSI Knowledge Base Leo reached for the CSI Licensing troubleshooting tools
in his installation folder. After a quick deactivation and a fresh activation key entry, the error vanished. The 50-story model finally loaded, just as his boss walked in with a second cup of coffee. WechoID.exe lsdecode.exe ) Leo should use to verify his computer's ID?
ETABS "License Not Recognized" Error 120 typically occurs when the software cannot verify your license through the Sentinel RMS License Manager. This is usually due to an outdated license file, a blocked connection, or a service that has stopped running.
Below is a draft you can use for a technical support request or a troubleshooting guide for your team. Draft: Troubleshooting ETABS Error 120 Technical Issue: ETABS License Not Recognized (Error 120) Problem Description:
When attempting to launch ETABS, the following error message appears: "License not recognized. Error 120."
This prevents the software from opening and accessing the network or standalone license. Recommended Troubleshooting Steps: Restart the License Service: Services.msc on the license server (or local machine for standalone). Sentinel RMS License Manager Right-click and select Verify the License File: Ensure the file is present in the ETABS installation directory. Check if the license has expired. You can use the WlmAdmin.exe tool to verify the expiration date and number of users. Check Environment Variables: Ensure the system environment variable LSFORCEHOST
is set to the correct IP address or hostname of your license server. Network & Firewall Check: Confirm that UDP Port 5093
(the default for Sentinel RMS) is open and not being blocked by a firewall or antivirus software. Re-run the License Activator: In the ETABS installation folder, find and run CSiLicensing.exe LicenseRequest.exe
) as an administrator to ensure the locking code matches the current hardware. Next Steps: If the error persists after these steps, please generate a License Request File (.lic)
and send it to the IT department or CSI Support for a license renewal or re-activation. to CSI or an internal memo for your engineering team?
If you are running a newer version of ETABS (v18, v19, 20, or 21), CSI changed how the licensing service runs in the background.
Restarting this service forces the computer to "re-read" the license file, which often clears Error 120 immediately.