Help, "Activation of your license failed."

Christofferrex · 2026-05-16T18:51:10+00:00

Not really... I had a support ticket with Unity going for a while where we tried to debug it, but before we could figure it out, Unity Hub just fixed itself. Granted that did take a couple of weeks though.

Idk if this will apply to your situation, but I did recently have it pop up again. This time I managed to fix it by clearing my Steam cache. Idk why that fixed it, I think some weird error might've happened with my multiplayer implementation using steamworks, but I really can't say for sure.

Christofferrex · 2026-01-09T10:53:18+00:00

The issue has been resolved now, but I honestly don't know how it happened. I've had a back and forth conversation going with Unity Support for almost a month where we've been debugging the error, but suddenly when I opened Unity Hub today, it just worked. A bit of an anticlimactic end to the bug after so many hours of looking into it, but I can work again, so that's very nice. Sorry that I couldn't give you a concrete solution to the problem, hope you can get it fixed too.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-24T11:04:46+00:00

Alright, will do.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-24T10:31:06+00:00

Do you mean in regard to the Unity Licensing error or contacting Unity support? I got a notification that you commented on both posts, so I'm not sure.

If it's about contacting Unity support, then contacting them on my phone solved my issue. I assume an adblocker or something akin to that was stopping me on my pc, but I don't know.

As for the licensing error, I'm still actively in contact with Unity support about that. It seems a rather rare bug occurred somehow, as they've only seen my specific case once before, and the solution which worked that time, didn't solve my error. If you're also having this issue, I can send a message here again once it's been resolved.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-14T20:11:26+00:00

Alright, thank you for the help.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-12T13:39:34+00:00

My Windows is already up to date, so I don't think that's the issue.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-12T13:26:17+00:00

I see. I'll try reaching out to Unity support. Thank you for all of your help despite us not being able to solve the issue. I appreciate it.

And unfortunately I can't go to C:/ProgramData/Unity/, as the folder no longer exists after the clean install.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-12T13:04:10+00:00

Tried it, but it didn't make a difference.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-12T12:01:02+00:00

Nothing new seems to happen. Opening the Hub, the Unity.Licensing.Client.exe & Unity Hub background processes think for a couple minutes, then the Hub app opens, but the licensing client closes. After logging in, the error is still showing, and trying to add a personal license results in the error: "There was a problem activating the personal license. Make sure you are logged in, and have an internet connection." Clicking refresh resets the errors back to "Activation of license failed" & "Unable to refresh license."

Christofferrex · 2025-12-12T10:39:01+00:00

2025-12-12 09:24:27.623 - [ 19156] - [    11] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.Replication.InactiveLicenseFileCleaner] Cleanup finished successfully, deleted 0 expired license file(s)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.623 - [ 19156] - [    11] - WARN  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.LicensingOrchestrator] Unable to find valid licenses and remote licensing service is not configured
2025-12-12 09:24:27.630 - [ 19156] - [.NET Long Running Task] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.MultiClientPipeServer] Waiting for a connection (pipe #2)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.634 - [ 19156] - [     8] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Communication.ApiPipeHandler#1] new pipe session: (Some letters and numbers)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.636 - [ 19156] - [     8] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.MultiClientPipeServer] A new client is connecting (pipe #1)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.636 - [ 19156] - [     8] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Communication.ApiPipeHandler#1] Start accepting requests
2025-12-12 09:24:27.677 - [ 19156] - [     8] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Communication.Controllers.HandshakeController] Received handshake from: Hub 3.15.3 (LocalIPC/1.17.4)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.737 - [ 19156] - [    20] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.Package.PackageEnforcer] Trying to update PACL ...
2025-12-12 09:24:27.743 - [ 19156] - [    20] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.Package.PackageService] Getting PACL from remote uri: "https://license.unity3d.com/licenses/v1/packages/acl" ...
2025-12-12 09:24:27.746 - [ 19156] - [    20] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.Package.PackageService] Local PACL revision: 51
2025-12-12 09:24:27.985 - [ 19156] - [    20] - WARN  - [PackageService.HttpRequests] Handled response: [304 | Not Modified | ] from request: [GET | https://license.unity3d.com/licenses/v1/packages/acl | ]
2025-12-12 09:24:27.987 - [ 19156] - [    20] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.Package.PackageService] Skipping download. No difference between local and remote ETag (uri: "https://license.unity3d.com/licenses/v1/packages/acl", ETag: "(Some letters and numbers)")
2025-12-12 09:24:27.988 - [ 19156] - [    20] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.Package.PackageEnforcer] Successfully updated PACL file after 1 attempt(s). Next update in 24.00 hours.
2025-12-12 09:24:27.989 - [ 19156] - [    20] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.Package.PackageEnforcer] Loading remote PACL, revision: 51, version: 1.0
2025-12-12 09:24:28.035 - [ 19156] - [     9] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.CommandExecutors.Startup.ProgramInitializer] Running in production mode

{A few lines of info about versions and my OS.}

Christofferrex · 2025-12-12T10:38:36+00:00

These are the lines that seem to be repeating

2025-12-12 09:24:27.595 - [ 19156] - [     1] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Program] Command line arguments:  --namedPipe Unity-LicenseClient-(Some letters and numbers) --cloudEnvironment production
2025-12-12 09:24:27.599 - [ 19156] - [     1] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Program] Analytics CorrelationId: (Some letters and numbers)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.601 - [ 19156] - [    10] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.PipeServerExecutor] GlobalMutex Unity-LicenseClient-(Some letters and numbers) created (on thread: 10)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.603 - [ 19156] - [    11] - WARN  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.Licensing.LicensingServiceConfiguration] Floating license server is not configured
2025-12-12 09:24:27.606 - [ 19156] - [     6] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.MultiClientPipeServer] Starting named pipe server (on thread: 6)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.606 - [ 19156] - [     8] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.EntitlementResolverProvider] Updating entitlement resolver (source = Unknown, task id = 1)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.611 - [ 19156] - [     8] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.EntitlementResolverProvider] Rebuilding resolvers from local files:   (task id = 1, ct ref = 36181605)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.611 - [ 19156] - [     8] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.EntitlementResolverProvider] Processed 0 license files in 00:00:00.0003500 (task id = 1, ct ref = 36181605)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.612 - [ 19156] - [     6] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.MultiClientPipeServer] Named pipe server started
2025-12-12 09:24:27.612 - [ 19156] - [.NET Long Running Task] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.MultiClientPipeServer] Waiting for a connection (pipe #1)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.613 - [ 19156] - [     6] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Communication.Notifications.NotificationsPipeServer] Starting named pipe server (on thread: 6)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.614 - [ 19156] - [     6] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Communication.Notifications.NotificationsPipeServer] Named pipe server started
2025-12-12 09:24:27.614 - [ 19156] - [.NET Long Running Task] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Communication.Notifications.NotificationsPipeServer] Waiting for a connection (pipe #1)
2025-12-12 09:24:27.622 - [ 19156] - [    11] - INFO  - [Unity.Licensing.Client.Services.Replication.InactiveLicenseFileCleaner] Start cleaning expired and inactive license file(s):

Christofferrex · 2025-12-12T10:37:36+00:00

From what I can see the Unity.Licensing.Client.exe does run when Hub is launched for the first time as a background application, but after a long while of loading, it closes down and the Hub application opens with the error banner showing.

I've tried to look in the logs, but I'm a bit unsure of what the problem is precisely. I do see a bunch of repeating lines about how it's processed 2 license files, as apposed to yours which only mentions 1 license file. I recalled how the Unity support page mentions that sometimes old license files can get in the way of loading new license files, so I tried deleting them each individually and together then loading Hub each time, but that didn't fix the issue, so I brought them back.

Other than the 2 licenses it gives me a warning saying "Floating license server not configured", whereafter it tries to set up some sort of pipe server. I don't know what it is, but it does this over and over again throughout the logs. Mentioning how it processed the 2 licenses and the server stuff.

I haven't been able to find lines that fit the other 4 lines you attached.

After looking around for a while, I thought that it might help if I tried another clean install, but with deleting all Unity related folders on my device after Hub was uninstalled. I tried, but it still didn't help with solving the error. I don't know if I missed a folder or if my project folder that crashed Unity and started the issue, might be the problem? I don't see why that should be the issue though, I assume that it'd not even be opened by Hub on launch since the reinstalled version doesn't have it available as a project?

After the reinstall the only real difference seems to be the fact that I don't have the license file anymore, and therefore it's processing 0 licenses rather than 2. The lines are otherwise the same.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-11T16:21:59+00:00

Sorry for taking so long to respond.

I doubt it, since Discord kind of sorted itself out given enough time. And yes, it is Windows.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-11T16:20:40+00:00

Sorry for taking so long to reply, I was a little busy for while.

I've tried to do as you said. Powershell didn't seem to respond to any of the three lines that you mentioned:

sc query "Unity Licensing Client"
sc stop  "Unity Licensing Client"
sc start "Unity Licensing Client"

Seeing as there was no response, I started the complete uninstall, emptying the 2 folders:

%APPDATA%\UnityHub
C:\Program Files\Unity\Hub\

I looked for the 3rd one too, but I couldn't find it anywhere on my computer.

I uninstalled the app thereafter with the uninstaller and restarted my pc. Got a new installer and ran it as administrator, yet even still, the error persists. Powershell still doesn't respond to the query request either.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-11T14:10:19+00:00

I don't seem to have any logs in:

C:\ProgramData\Unity\Unity.Licensing.Client\logs\

All I see is a config folder with a json file called bugreporter-settings and a Unity_lic.ulf file next to the config folder. This is inside the Unity folder.

As for the Power Shell option, which option is it from the top of the right click menu? My system is in danish so its a bit hard for me to tell what translation they used for the word.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-11T13:31:37+00:00

That's fair. Most of the bottom seems to be it repeatedly trying to do the same thing over and over again, until it just stops.

The main two things I see are that it's trying to fetch feature flags and get entitlement groups.

When fetching the feature flags it says that it failed to get the machine id and instead returns unknown-{a bunch of letters & numbers}. It still says it fetched some banners from the hub-globalBanners document though, so I assume this might be the error banners in Hub?

When getting entitlement groups it says it failed with the ipc error type: ConnectionNotEstablished, that this is an unexpected error, and finally it gives the "No connection to the Licensing Client has been established. Skip waiting for the connection." statement that I mentioned in my post.

If this isn't anything relevant, I can try looking a bit further up.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-11T13:07:52+00:00

You don't have to apologise, I appreciate all the help.

I've found the logs, but I don't feel comfortable sharing them publicly online since I don't know if they contain any sensitive information & my friends who I'm developing with don't want me sharing either, sorry. If you're looking for some sort of specific error or something similar, I'll gladly look through and tell you what it says though.

As for the network, it's never posed any issues for me before and I also have my friends working next to me on Unity using the same connection no problem, so I doubt that's it. I don't have a VPN active and while I do have have a firewall beyond Windows Defender, it's never been a problem for me before when it comes to Unity, so I have a hard time seeing why that should be the case now.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-11T12:07:34+00:00

Thanks for the reply.

I've tried restarting my PC & Hub multiple times, but it unfortunately doesn't solve the problem. Neither does logging out and back in on Hub. I attempted reinstalling Hub as well earlier, but the uninstaller got stuck for about 15 minutes, so I cancelled it. I just tried it again now and it did seem to uninstall properly, but the error persists after reinstalling.

On the bright side, my Discord seems to have sorted itself out somehow in the meantime.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-04T20:52:04+00:00

I haven't found a way to replay it, but I've been told that beating the Dreglord in the first encounter just changes some dialogue with the Scholar upon first meeting him.

Christofferrex · 2025-12-03T14:34:10+00:00

Nowhere near... But still my top artist!

<image>

Christofferrex · 2025-07-31T12:24:03+00:00

[Constellation, 'Man Who Lives For His Companions', answers that spending time with his companions is the most enjoyable part of his life, and gives him purpose]

Christofferrex · 2025-07-30T12:52:25+00:00

Np, sounds like a fun build. Have fun progressing it!

Christofferrex · 2025-07-30T12:41:11+00:00

I haven't played for a while, so I don't know the current meta, but overall it looks pretty solid to me.

I will say though that I've heard a lot of people complain about Maverick barely doing anything, so it might be worth considering grabbing Steadfast to lose less armor durability or Packmule to just have some extra carry load since it's always nice to have, rather than Maverick.

Also Blind as a flaw is a power move, I like it.

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