This symptom usually indicates your private license server license(s) need to be "refreshed". This can happen when your subscription has been renewed without updating the license information on your private license server. The steps to resolve this issue depend on which license server you are using which can be determined by checking to see what port are you using in your client's "Set up Private License Server" settings. Our legacy Private License Server (PLS) uses port 21001 and our Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS), along with our Vault/NEXUS/Concord Pro servers use port 9780. If your Altium Designer license management page indicates an "Activation Code Used" that is another confirmation that you are using AIS. Instructions to refresh your license(s) for your version below.
Version not supported with private license server - Refresh PLS & AIS
Altium NEXUS NEXUS
This article covers what to do when you get "Version Not Supported" error when using a private license server. It also has a comparison of the legacy Private License Server (PLS) and our current license server, Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS.)
Electronic design is the process of capturing a logical design in the schematic then representing that design as a set of objects in the PCB design space. Even for a small circuit, the schematic can include many components, each with numerous models and parameters. The PCB design space can also contain a large number of design objects that make up the board. During the course of the design process, the placement and properties of these objects need to change as you work to balance out the various design requirements.
Solution Details
To "Refresh" or update a license on your PLS:
You must first delete the expired one, then click the "Activate" button at the bottom left. You will then be prompted to log in with your AltiumLive account. At the next screen, find the license and click the Activate button.
If your PLS is not connected to the internet, use the "Add Licenses" button after you have the *.alf file downloaded from AltiumLive Dashboard. This video covers how to get your license (*.alf) file(s):https://youtu.be/5_NQg-Sf1eE?t=310
If you are using a secondary PLS that is not connected to the internet, a secondary private license file can't be downloaded from the dashboard. The secondary license file can only be acquired by using the "Activate" button when connected to the Internet. As an alternative approach, you can install PLS on a computer that is connected to the internet, activate the license then use the Save License Files button or look in C:\ProgramData\Altium2004 for the new *.alf file to copy to your production secondary PLS. A secondary PLS is only available with our legacy Private License Server (PLS), not with Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS).
Here is our Legacy Private License Server (PLS) documentation if you are interested in more detail: https://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH1/Using+a+Private+Server+License#UsingaPrivateServerLicense
At the Altium Designer client:
This is performed through the server's License Manager page (ADMIN ► LICENSES), by clicking on the circular blue refresh arrow button at the right end of the license line on the licenses page. Here's a link to a video:
- In Altium Designer, release any licenses
- Close Altium Designer
- browse to C:\ProgramData\Altium\ (may have to view hidden files to see the ProgramData folder)
- Delete *_Security folder(s)
- Restart Altium Designer
If "Version not supported" is still indicated in the Status column on the license management page of Altium Designer, after using a license, and you've already verified these things:
- the license on the PLS has been refreshed and is showing the correct subscription end date,
- the license management page of Altium Designer is showing the future date in the subscription status column,
- You tried deleting the *_Security folder(s) on the client PC as described just above.
There may be a license file (*.alf) somewhere on the PLS server that is old, and the PLS is picking up that old information. Delete all the licenses from the PLS interface, then search the server's hard drive for *.alf, and delete them all, then activate the current licenses. If that doesn't help, uninstall the PLS and re-install it. You can download the installer from here: https://www.altium.com/documentation/other_installers#miscellaneous