KB: Fail to use evaluation license with a dialog "You can use this license only on a single PC"
Created: May 07, 2024 | Updated: April 29, 2025
Altium Designer
Starting in version: 18
Up to Current
When attempting to use a trial version of Altium (Evaluation License), a warning dialog may appear with the title "Warning License Renewal Failed" and the message, "You can use this license only on a single PC."
This issue occurs because evaluation licenses provided through automation are "node-locked," meaning they are tied to the MAC address of the network adapter and can only be used on one machine.
Solution Details
The evaluation licenses that are provided by automation are "node locked" and can only be used on one machine. Since it is tied to the MAC address of the network adapter, you may have this issue if you first used the license when connected to the internet by Wi-Fi and now are using a wired connection (a wired docking station is yet another adapter), or you may be using a different computer. Another possible reason to get this message is if the license has been released. You may then not be able to re-use it even on the same machine/adapter.
If you are unable to use your evaluation license because you are getting this message , you can contact your account manager to ask to have an evaluation manually placed into your organization (after explaining the situation.) Alternately they can ask Operations to change the license type from "On-Demand Evaluation" to "On-Demand". The "License Usage" in our system will still indicate Evaluation and it will expire on the same day, but you should then be able to use it on any machine where you are signed in with your AltiumLive credentials.